From the time she was a little girl, I had my granddaughter, Lana, beside me in the garden.  At first all she wanted to do was play in the dirt but it didn't take long for her to catch the passion of watching seeds spring to life.   


Every year she would help me plant and water the garden and I loved the joy on her face as she picked the products of her labor…now, she didn't eat the vegetables, she just loved growing them!


In the past two years, life has changed.  I no longer have the big garden and Lana has moved far away.  Last year before she moved, I was desperate to hang on to our tradition so I bought a couple of big pots and tomato plants.  I had her plant them before she left and for the first time, the plants didn't make it.  For me, it felt like a mirror to my soul. 


This year I had decided not to plant anything.  I adopted the attitude that it was no use.   It would never be the same without sharing it with Lana. 


That attitude showed me I was still grieving.   Grief is something that never goes away.  It's important you recognize it because you can make steps to go forward and not stay stuck in one place.  I didn't know how to do this but God who is so rich in mercy, showed me the way.


It turned out that Lana came up for a couple of weeks this summer.   I had her for three days.  While she was here, I got those big flower pots and checked my seed supply.   Among the packets, I found a little plastic bag with the words “watermelon seeds” that contained two seeds that Lana had saved a few years before.   She got all excited and insisted we plant them.  I didn't have the heart to tell her they probably would not grow.


She planted her precious seeds and went back home with me promising I would water them.    Shortly after she left, I went on a trip and was gone for two weeks.  My sister faithfully watered them but sadly nothing happened.


I felt bad as I had hoped to be proven wrong and we could've shared a “garden” once more.   I ended up stirring the dirt around and sprinkled a few flower seeds on the top.   In just a few days, I saw a sprout.  It was definitely not a flower.  It was a watermelon!   One of Lana's seeds had come to life and with it the part of me that had been grieving came to life also.  It gave me hope.


It's been a month since that seed came to life.  I forgot how fast things can grow.  I've taken pictures of it to send to Lana and it's obvious how it grew overnight. 


This morning I looked out and a flower had appeared on the plant…a promise of something yet to be.   I couldn't wait to tell Lana!   


Will we get a watermelon? I don't know but that's not what's the most important.   I'm holding to the fact that God knew the heart of a grandmother who was grieving something she thought was dead but brought it back to life in a new way.  A good way.


As I was writing this, I forgot to mention that I wrote a children's book for Lana so she would remember all the time we spent together in the garden.  At that time, I didn't even remember I had those watermelon seeds.  This is the closing paragraph:


“We had lots of good vegetables from our garden this year.  I hope I can help GiGi next year.  Maybe we can plant watermelon!”


Coincidence?  No. It was a hug from God showing how much He loves me and Lana.  That's what I want Lana to remember.  That's the legacy.



Update:  Since I wrote this story a few months ago, we did get a couple of watermelons!    It has been a joy to share this with Lana.   I told her I would try and find a way to ship one to to her!

The Lost Sheep

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 11, 2026
A few weeks ago I shared about my estranged child. Mother's Day came and went without a word. I spent the day wondering/hoping I would hear something. I didn't expect a phone call but maybe a text. I told myself not to have any expectations, but I still did. I was almost angry at myself for thinking maybe this year would be different. This morning I sat here talking to the Lord. He wants me to be honest with Him so I didn't try to hide the sorrow and the rejection. I told Him I was hurt and I had to forgive my child once again. He reminded me that I had three other children who hadn't forgotten me and made me feel loved and honored, so why was the rejection of one so painful? It was then I remembered the story of the lost sheep. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's about a shepherd who has a flock of a hundred sheep. One of them goes astray and the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go find it. It was a gentle reminder that He will never give up on my child and He loves Him more than I could imagine. In the same way, God will never give up on any of us. No matter how much we run or push Him away, He will never leave us. I needed that encouragement, maybe you do too.

The Prodigal

By Eileen Glotfelty • April 19, 2026
For those of you who have a prodigal child, you're not alone. What I mean by prodigal is a child who has turned their back on you and put up walls of defense. It came as a surprise, a shock actually. I should've seen it coming but after years of butting heads, I truly thought we were in a better place. The revelation came in a letter where thoughts and feelings were shared. I felt my spirit being crushed as I read it and my heart broke. I know I wasn't the perfect mother. I had struggles and behaviors that had followed me since childhood. I had resolved never to treat my children the way I was treated, but how many of us know that sadly it still happens, but in a different way. When you have a prodigal, it's not about forgiveness and reconciliation, it's about the pain they feel we've inflicted and they can't let go of it. I keep hoping that some day, things will change but there's no guarantee as it takes two surrendered hearts that are open to be healed. It's been four years now since I received that letter. I have grieved in a way I never have before and there were times I didn't think I would make it through. It's a different kind of grief because you know it can change but it's out of your control. It's been a process and I've experienced rejection, abandonment, guilt and shame but it brought me to a place where I knew it was going to keep me in a prison of pain if I didn't surrender it to God so He could heal my heart. The Bible has a story about a prodigal son. Even though the son went his own way and abandoned his father, his father never gave up hope. When the son had an “aha” moment and realized how foolish he had been, he humbled himself and returned home. This is my favorite of the story: “So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV” This is how God greets everyone who returns to Him, no matter what they've done. I pray I would react the same way with my son. If you have a prodigal, my heart goes out to you, but just know that God sees you and your child. He is working behind the scenes as He is a God of redemption and reconciliation. He will heal your broken heart and give you the strength to hold on.

You Are Enough

By Eileen Glotfelty • March 13, 2026
Today I had an errand to do on the other side of town. When I left my house, it was warm and sunny. As I drove toward my destination, I noticed dark, gray clouds up ahead. I had no idea it was supposed to rain. Thankfully I was in the store when the storm rolled in. It was literally a downpour complete with thunder and lightning. I remember thinking I wouldn't be going to my car any time soon. Unfortunately the extended time in the store resulted in some overspending. As I stood in the checkout line. I overheard one of the cashiers say. “I love thunderstorms.” As a child, I loved them too, especially if I was already tucked in bed for the night. I can't explain it but that was the time I felt the most safe. There was something peaceful amidst all the noise. I still feel the same way. Tonight another thunderstorm rolled in. The weather forecast said it could be severe with high winds. I wasn't afraid. In fact. If it wasn't so early, I would've jumped into bed. I had to ask myself why I felt such peace during a storm. I never really thought about it before. Was it the fact I knew that despite all the drama and noise, it would eventually come to an end? It's something I need to think about because my attitude is quite the opposite with the storms of life. I've spent most of my life just trying to survive the storms. Sometimes I've denied them, other times I've tried to run from them and there were times I tried to hide from them but each time, they stopped or moved on. I feel like I'm in a place right now where I need a reminder of safety even in the midst of a storm. Jesus wasn't afraid of the storm, He went right into it and walked on water. Peter got out of the boat and started walking toward him but as soon as he got distracted by the waves and the noise, he started to sink and fear tried to take over. Jesus was still there and when Peter cried out to Him, Scripture says Jesus immediately reached out and grasped Peter's hand and Peter was safe. So Jesus, the storm is raging all around. I'm reaching out to You. I've gotten distracted Lord. I need You. Make me aware when I'm sinking and meet me in the waves for You are my help and You are enough.