Sunday, January 20, 2008

101 years, 8 months, and 5 days

That is how long my Grandmother lived. She passed away last night, peacefully in her sleep.

Because she was my mother's mother there are many things that were her, that are now me. She was: fresh oatmeal cookies when we arrived for a visit, chicken and dumplins and fried okra and blackeyed peas and german sweet chocolate cake and potato pancakes made from leftover mashed potatoes. She was homemade quilts, embroidery, cross-stitching, needlepoint. She was a strong believer and a volunteer. She was bible verses made into sayings to live by: kill 'em with kindness; he's/she's/you're 3 x 6, (meaning you're an adult, take care of it); why worry about something that you have no control over?; remember who you are and what you represent. She was Memphis State Tiger basketball, St. Louis Cardinal baseball, and football (any Lou Holtz team!). She was "How's your love life?" when I was in college. She was a bridge player, a business owner. She was Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. She was mom to 5, grandmother to 11, and great-grandmother to 27 (?). She was a daughter, sister, wife, aunt, sister-in-law. She was a divorced, single mom in the 1930's, a WW2 wife, and a widow in her 70's. She was farm roots and city branches. She was crunchy bath towels dried on the line, hand-washed dishes, one bath tub in the house. She was a breast cancer survivor.

She was 'Amazing Grace.'

She was Trellice.

She was Granny.

I was blessed to have her 39 years, 6 months, and 12 days.

13 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

What a beautiful tribute to what sounds like a wonderful lady.

Sam said...

I remember eating oatmeal cookies from "The Pig" with a glass of orange juice. The best combination.

And chicken & dumplins. I don't think I'll ever try it again made by anyone else. It's just too disappointing when it doesn't even come close.

She was one of the best. A century's worth of good and inspiration.

Real World Martha said...

So sorry for your loss!

Queen B said...

That is such a beautiful description. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry.

But what a wonderful, wonderful tribute to an amazing woman. It sounds like she'll live on through you.

Connie said...

What a wonderful woman!

Many of the things you said about her are things that I strive to be.

I hope someday, my grandchildren right something beautiful like that about me.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

She sounds like a WONDERFUL woman. My great-grandmother lived to be about the same age, and we all thought grandma (her daughter) would, too. Sadly, she developed ALS and passed away this May. But we'll always have a list of things, MUCH like this of our grandmas. Rest in peace, lovely ladies. May you find each other as bridge/sheepshead partners in heaven!

Texasholly said...

What an amazing woman. She sounds like someone that could get things done and had you smiling while you did it.

Thanks so much for linking today!

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful.
I loved the crunchy bath towels dried on the line!

Debbie said...

What a great post. And what a great grandmother it sounds like you had. Thanks for reminding us of all the little things that mean so much.

Amy L Brooke said...

Thanks for sharing about your grandmother. She sounds like my grandmother. She was literally the one person I felt really safe with as a child.

Robin ~ PENSIEVE said...

This honors her beautifully :). And in your tribute, I feel like I know her a teensy bit.

I understand why this post is significant to you!

Joyce said...

This was so sweet....she sounds like a grandma : ) How lucky you were to have had her in your life.