Frances Schultz

A Baby and God:
Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. the child asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to Earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God replied, "Among the angels, I'll choose one for you. your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you." The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." God said "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you everyday. And you will feel your angels love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "and how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak." "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"I've heard that on Earth there are bad people. Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life." "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you." At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name?" God replied, "Her name is not important, you will simply call her Grandma."

Yesterday we lost our preciou Grandma Fran. She had fallen ill and we knew her days were limited but that brings little comfort. And while I've only known Fran for 12 years I feel blessed to have been welcomed into her family. And I feel so fortunate that the girls were able to feel her love and spend time in their youth getting to know her. She loved fishing, she loved being with her family and she never let anyone leave her house hungry. We would stop to see her in Mondovi, anytime that we were passing through. She always made sure there was food on the table. Even at 89, she remembered to send the girls cards for Christmas, Valentines and she never missed a birthday. Just a few weeks ago, Kiersten received her birthday card and Leah said to her "Make sure you keep that one,Kiersten. We don't know how much longer we will have Grandma Fran." It was the next day her heart started to fail. Even in her final days, we were told that Grandma started each day with a smile. She will be missed dearly and loved for always.