The Oscars, The Semester, and My Grandma

I seem to have failed in my determination to continue updating throughout the month of the Oscar challenge. For those who are curious, I did see all 10 of the Best Picture nominees. I enjoyed them as a group more than the 10 from last year. I didn't cry at Toy Story 3 (we can talk later about my lack of inner child); I did cover my eyes during Black Swan. My pic for best? The Fighter.

Not the popular choice, for sure; nor the actual winner (congrats to Colin Firth and the brilliant film The King's Speech). But: I.just.loved.it. Maybe you can chalk it up to my strange obsession with sports movies (blame my mom for making me watch Hoosiers regularly, starting at a young age). Or maybe I still secretly love Marky Mark (even if that same mother tried to steer me away from NKOTB). Anyway you turn it: this is a great movie. And you should go see it if you haven't yet.

Instead of keeping you "all" (hey, Mom) updated with my Oscar-watching game, I decided to keep up with my homework and class-going requirements for the semester. Luckily, I actually really enjoy one class. And, just as luckily, the other one is nearly over! Thank goodness for quad classes in grad school.

I've also been devoting a good amount of time to thinking about my grandmother. She has recently been diagnosed with a terminal disease, and is deteriorating rapidly. While this is incredibly sad, and my heart breaks for my grandfather (they celebrated 55 years of marriage in December), I am so grateful for the many years I had to get to know her. She has been a constant presence in my family life for as long as I can remember. Many family vacations and holidays were spent at Grandma & Grandpa's house (and one summer when my parents just shipped me off to them... I was a difficult child, I think).

Both of my grandparents have been constant examples of a deep and pervading faith; every experience could be turned into a lesson of God's faithful love and guidance in our lives. I credit Grandma with my extensive knowledge of pretty much every hymn ever written.

This past Christmas I had the opportunity to spend a day alone with my grandparents; they (Grandma, mostly) regaled me with tales of my mom while she was growing up, and some great family history. We've always shared a love of reading, and in the last few years I have never left their house with fewer than an extra 3 or 4 books packed to take home. (I think it was more like 14 this Christmas.)

While my relationship with my Grandma has not always been easy, and while we will never agree on many things in the world of politics, social policy, and even some theology, I have never doubted that she loves me (and our whole big family) very much. The greatest joy in her life has been to see her family grow and discover what God is calling us all to. I can only hope to become a woman with half the faith and might of Grandma Margaret.