Day 12: "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Today would have been my paternal grandmother's birthday, and a month from today will mark 4 years since my maternal grandmother went to be with Jesus. I think about both of my grandmothers a lot and wish I could ask questions and learn from them. There are so many things I wish I had written down. So many questions left unanswered. So many recipes left unlearned. So many clothing patterns and doll patterns left unfinished.

My Granny died when I was two, so I didn't get a chance to know her very well. I do know that she would continually sew the satin lining back onto my "maimet" (blanket) and I would just pull it off again. She would sew it on, and I would pull it back off. My family lived with her for the last two or so years of her life, so I'm sure she sewed my maimet an awful lot.

Every time I hear "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" I think of my family. We sang a lot of songs at my Nanny's graveside after her funeral, but this is the one I remember most clearly. I think it resonated with me the most because it was such a beautiful picture of what had happened to her. She struggled with anxiety and loneliness in the final years of her life, and when she passed into the presence of Jesus, her chains were removed and she was finally free.

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine