When asked to write about my role model, one name immediately came to my mind. Shirley Lindsay. When I think of that name I see a short, active little lady with graying hair (unless she’s colored it), twinkling eyes, and a sweet smile. Sometimes when I look into her green eyes, they seem full of mischief, and they usually are. Shirley Lindsay is my grandma, and she is always up to something.
Once, when I was staying at Grandma’s house, I was looking for the hairspray under her bathroom sink, and I found a pack of cinnamon rolls instead. When I asked her about her stash, she laughed and said, “Don’t tell your Grandpa. We’re supposed to be on a diet!”
Then there was the day she backed Grandpa’s car out of the garage and knocked off one of the side mirrors. She didn’t worry. She just borrowed some superglue from a neighbor and glued the mirror back on. The next day when she and Grandpa were on their way to church, the mirror flew off the car. Grandma tried to blame it on Grandpa, but when he pulled over he saw the glue on the car. She was caught!
When I look back at all the funny things Grandma has done, I cannot help but think of how she is usually up to something good too. She goes every Tuesday on visitation to witness to people. But that’s not the only time she shares God’s Word. She loves Jesus, and everybody knows it. Sometimes when Grandma goes to Publix, some of the bag boys hide because they know she is going to tell them about Jesus. Through the years, many of them have accepted Christ because of Grandma’s consistent witness.
Because Grandma loves Jesus so much, she is full of love for others. She radiates with God’s love, and that makes her the most beautiful lady I know.
-Lyndsay Hyatt, 2000
I wrote this paper my senior year of high school in English Honors class.
Lyndsay, you were very fortunate to have such a Godly Grandma, role model and best friend. I can remember seeing that same twinkle in her eyes and bright smile and also remember the love that radiated from her when she spoke of her family. Your Grandma was any granddaughers dream grandma, I often thought. While I know you are sad, don’t you just smile when you think of her being in Heaven with the first love of her life?! Please know that I continue to pray for you and your family as you go through this transition.
This was too precious for words. LOVED the cinnamon roll thing and I cracked up when I read the super glue part as well. I can only imagine all the ways she’s ALREADY tried to put a few past him!!!I wish I could say more to comfort you right now but I know nothing is going to be good enough or bring her back. You’re in my thoughts though…..and trust that I even had a teary eyed conversation with Carl about how amazing this woman was [and I even brought him to your blog for pictures!]. I kept saying “I want to be a grandmother like her some day!” and he said “…so be one.”Funny how an amazing person can influence someone from afar.
Lyndsay, I continue to pray for you and your family…I too have always been in awe of you Grandma, she was truly a special lady.
She sounds like such a cool lady. Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂
what a cool lady! i wish i could be that slick! cinnamon rolls under the sink?!?!?! actually….i could see ander doing something like that! ha!