African Violets

My grandmother loved African Violets. Whites. Purples. Pinks.

She was quite proficient at growing them, too. Her kitchen window sills were always full of them. Plus, the two large windows in her laundry room had special shelves built into them to hold extra plants. She loved African Violets.

November 17, 2009

"Take you're time a-goin', but hurry back."

This is what Grandma said to me nearly everytime I left her house. And it didn't matter if I was taking a short trip home or a long trip to college. Sometimes I was tired of hearing the same thing over and over. But I learned to appreciate it.

I think it is a great sentiment. A wish for safe travels, but also a wish for a quick return. I love it. I love that she never tired of spending time with her family.

November 5, 2009

Today is my grandma's birthday. She would've been 89. I'm still so sad that she's no longer with us. I probably will be for a long time. But a larger part of me is rejoicing that she's receiving her great reward. What an amazing life this woman led! What a legacy of love and faith she left for her family! Each time I imagine her running into our Father's arms, I am overcome with joy.

At her funeral, there were many people present. Most I knew. Some I didn't. But all who spoke to me told me things like "She was my favorite person at church," or "She was such a blessing to my life." How amazing it feels to know that this woman--who touched so many lives in such wonderful ways--this woman was MY grandmother. I swell with pride when I simply verbalize that I am part of her, and she is part of me.

My grandmother. My loved one. My friend.

November 1, 2009

Sixty-seven years ago today, my grandmother and grandfather were married. Sixty-seven. But neither of them lived to see that number. My grandfather, who was an elder in the church and a WWII veteran, died in 1976. He was employed by the postal service, and had a heart attack while on his daily mail route. I know him only through stories that my grandmother told. I might share a few here someday.

I also want to share the story of my grandparents' courtship. But not today.

Today I want to tell of the time when I was 19 that my grandmother, just out of the blue, said, "Today is my anniversary." I wasn't sure I heard her correctly.

"Pardon?"

She repeated, "Today is mine and Jimmy's anniversary. If he had lived, we'd be married fifty years today."

And in that moment, I saw a more vast array of emotions from my grandma than I'd ever seen. Sadness. Pride. Acceptance. Strength. And possibly a bit of regret. I think what struck me the most that day, and has stayed with me since, is that, even though they'd been separated for sixteen years, she still thought of him daily. Thought daily of her vow to him. Knowing that he still held such a place in her heart, I imagine she even wondered how her life would've been different had he lived.

And this great woman who was my grandma... not once did I hear her complain about how hard her life was because he was gone. Not once.

October 26, 2009

My grandma called the automatic car wash the "roe boe." Why is that?

Well, that's one of my memories with Grandma. Goin' to the roe boe.

October 19, 2009

It's been seven days since my grandmother died. We've had a rough weekend. Yet we've been able to laugh about some things that she'd said and done.

For instance...

My mom told me that, a few weeks ago, she was teasing Grandma about her "cat." (Grandma hated cats. There was just a stray hanging around outside.) My mom had found some old pizza, and told Grandma that she was going to feed it to her cat and racoon. "What cat and racoon?" Grandma said. "The ones hanging around outside." Grandma thought for a moment. And then she tartly replied, "Ya reckon I'll get some kitoons?"

(Get it? Cat + racoon?)

Grandma was always cracking us up. I'm so glad we can still laugh about her.

October 15, 2009

My grandmother was the best candy maker. At Christmas time, she would make tons of candy--peanut brittle, fudge, toffee, divinity. When she was still able, she would box up portions of it and deliver it to the little old ladies from our church who had no family in the area.

Several years ago my grandmother taught me to make peanut brittle. I have many fond memories with my grandma, but learning to make peanut brittle is one of my fondest.

I will really miss her this Christmas.

October 14, 2009

My grandmother would sometimes say, "Don't make a fuss over me." But I think deep down, she wanted to be fussed over.

As we prepare for her funeral, I can hear those words in my mind, but can't help but think that she would delight in knowing that we're "fussing over her."

October 13, 2009

My grandmother died today.

She was one of the best people I have ever known.