Anna powered on her computer and opened up the notification. Memories from this day ten years ago. She scrolled through the images of an RV trip with Louis and the grandchildren. Oh, that was such a wonderful weekend. Mason was five, Olivia was three, and little Sophia was just about one. And dear sweet Louis. How she missed him. If only she could go back in time. There was Louis showing Mason how to bait a hook. That was right before he caught his first fish, then let the pole go. Anna couldn’t help laughing. Mason had fallen into the water right after letting go of his pole. Poor Louis had to jump in after him. She flipped to the next photo. She and the kids were making smores, and Olivia’s face was smudged with sticky chocolate. She flipped again to see the grandchildren catching fireflies. Oh, what wonderful memories.

Forgetting completely why she was on the computer in the first place, Anna pushed away from the desk. She crossed the room to the sofa where Polly lay napping. She settled next to her and stroked her soft fur. Life was passing her by. How wonderful and bright the future seemed just ten short years ago. Now she was 70, a widow, and her dear sweet grandbabies were teenagers.  She swallowed against the lump that had formed in her throat. Her gaze traveled to her daily verse calendar.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10b

Anna froze. She re-read the verse. Was she living life to the full? What would life be like if she lived every day so that in ten years, she could look back on this day with fondness? She picked up the phone.

“Jennifer, what is your family doing this weekend?”

“Hi Mom. I’m not sure, why?” Her daughter greeted her, confusion in her voice.

How could she explain this without sounding crazy? “I was reminiscing about the RV trips with the kids. We had such good times together. I wanted to spend some time with my grandkids before they run off to college.”

“Thankfully, we have a while before that happens. Hold on, let me check the calendar.”

The silence on the other end of the line lasted only a minute or two. “Mom, it looks like we’re free. Did you want to come over?”

“Why don’t you and Chris go out on a date Saturday night? You can drop the kids over here and we’ll have dinner together.

“Sounds great, Mom, thanks!”

By Saturday afternoon, Anna had everything ready. She’d sold the RV after Louis passed, not wanting to drive it herself, but there were plenty of other things she and the kids could do together. The doorbell rang, and Anna could hardly keep from running to answer it. Jennifer stepped inside and hugged Anna. “Thanks again for tonight. I can’t remember the last time Chris and I went out just the two of us.”

“Happy to do it. I want to spend time with the kids. Where are they?” Anna peered out the door towards the car.

Jennifer sighed. “They’re coming.”

Sure enough, a moment later, the mini-van door slid open and the kids trudged out. Mason was staring at his phone and Olivia had her ear pods in. Sophie was the only one not plugged in. The kids entered the house, none of them looking happy about it.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, Mom.” Jennifer slipped out of the door.

“Hello children.”

They each dutifully gave Anna hugs, but it was clear their hearts weren’t in it. Her heart sank. They didn’t want to be here. Well, she’d do what she could to change that.

“OK. First things first. Phones on the mantel.”

Mason and Olivia stared at her. “What do you mean?”
            “We’re not using our phones this evening. Put them up on the mantel. You can have them when your mom comes to pick you up.”

“Are you serious?” Mason asked.

“No way. You’ve got to be kidding,” Olivia added.

Sophie shrugged. “Fine by me.”

“You don’t even have a phone.” Olivia scowled at her sister.

“That’s why it’s fine with me.”

Anna blew out a breath. This was not going the way she intended. “No arguing. We’re going to have a treasure hunt.”
            Sophie’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”

Mason rolled his eyes. “What are we searching for? Candy bars?”

Anna crossed her arms, resisting the urge to scold him for his attitude. “When I make a treasure hunt, there’s actually a treasure. It’s up to you whether you want to participate.”

Sophie bounced on her toes. “I want to!”

Anna handed Sophie her first clue. Soon, all three grandchildren were following clues around the house until they finally uncovered the treasure. Anna had placed some of Louis’s old coins in a wooden chest. When they opened it, all three children gasped.

Louis’s eyes went wide. “Are those real?”

Anna couldn’t help smiling at the wonder in his tone. “They are. They belonged to your grandfather. They’re real money. The old dull ones are worth the most. The gold ones are actually dollar coins. You can split them evenly.”

Mason pulled an old coin out of the chest and studied it. “This is from 1913. That’s so cool!”

“Thanks, Grandma,” Sophie said, hugging her around the waist. That was fun.”

“It was,” Olivia added, “but I’m getting hungry.”

“Then it’s time for fondue.”

Sophie wrinkled up her nose. “What’s that?”

“You’ll see.”

As they dipped veggies, grapes, crackers, and bread cubes into a creamy warm cheese sauce, everyone talked and laughed together. More and more, their time together reminded Anna of their fun times from the past. After dinner, they made funnel cakes and played board games. At their parents’ arrival, the kids actually complained.

“Is it time to leave already?”

“When can we come back again?”

“I love you, Grandma.”

Anna closed the door as they left and sank down into a chair. She may not be as young as she once was, but she was living life to the fullest.

Psalm 16: 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

God, it doesn’t matter if we’re nine or ninety-nine. Each season of life has its own special blessings. Please help us to live the life you have intended for us. Help us to focus on making memories by spending time with people we love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.