Sometime in early spring last year, I realized that my mom would be turning fifty the following summer while I would be in Japan. At the same time, I realized that she is the only one in our family who had never been given a surprise birthday party. I put the two together, and started planning. Like me, my grandmother can't even keep her own secrets, so I decided to not tell her until the morning of. This party was one of those things I had always wanted to do, but never thought I would actually get around to doing it. One of my mom's friends called and asked if I would babysit for her that day. So while she was thinking I was out all day, I snuck over next door to the g-parents house and starting cooking and working on decorations. Mamaw was SO EXCITED when I told her. She always LOVED knowing something that someone else didn’t. We went in the guest bedroom where I was working on the most of the decorations, and she sat and talked to me while I painted. Though she was having some health issues during this time which caused her to feel bad most of the time, she was SO happy at the party that night.
A few weeks ago, Rebecca and I were honored to attend the second annual Diving Duck Christmas Festival with our friends Jeremy and Zach. Roomie made cornbread dressing and I made green bean casserole. Jeremy has a very limited appetite of ham, macaroni and cheese, and rolls. Afraid there wouldn't be enough of his favorites I agreed to make mac and cheese as well. Though it had always been on my bucket list to learn to make my grandmother's macaroni and cheese, I had never done so. So the morning before the dinner, we got together and cooked in Ellisville at Rebecca's house. While at Corner Market buying our ingredients, I called Mamaw to talk about how to make the macaroni. She sounded sleepy when she answered so I told her it was me. "I know who it is" she said in that sassy tone of hers. :) "Well, make sure you take it out when you think it's ready" and "Don't fill the pan too high" are some of the things I remember her telling me. When I came home for Christmas, I went up to visit and told her I made the macaroni and it was delicious! She smiled and jokingly said, "Well since you can make my macaroni now, you just don't even need me anymore." Such a little priss pot.
Last year for Christmas, my grandmother gave each girl in our family jewelry from Newton’s. I picked out an absolutely gorgeous ring. Something that then, I was excited about. Something that now, I will treasure forever.
This year, we each got photo books full of pictures of our grandparents when they were young, their wedding picture and photos of us with them/at their house growing up. After Christmas Eve dinner, we went into the living room and took family pictures. Something we regretfully never do. Every combination possible was taken. Each child with grandparents, each grandchild, each family, etc…
Planning a party with her, learning to make her legendary macaroni and cheese, picking out a ring and taking silly pictures. It's the little things.
Four days after that memorable night spent with our whole family, a deputy sherriff knocked on my door at 1:15 in the morning. My grandparents’ house had almost burned completely down. We were right next door, didn't know a thing. After running out and seeing the flames, I ran back inside and hit my knees praying that they were both okay. It brings me comfort now to know that at the same time, she was on her knees praising Jesus face to face. My sweet pawpaw is still in ICU at St. Dominic.
I’m gonna miss taking her to get her hair done, listening to her stories about people no one else has ever heard of, being told to water the ferns, feed the humming birds, get their supper from Stark’s, “fix” her a glass of tea, and watch the way she would get ridiculously excited about Red Lobster’s coconut shrimp. From now I’ll fight the urge to pronounce Indians as “Engines,” Salsa as “Salsia” and Santa Claus as “Santie Claus.” Of all the times with her I can recall, what I believe I’ll miss the most are her voicemails.
Virginia. It’s your Grandmother. Where are you? (Pause) I need you. (Pause) What are you doing? (Pause) Well….(Pause) Call me back, okay? (Pause) I love you. (Pause) This is your grandmother.
*Thirty minutes later: Virginia? (Pause) This is still your grandmother. And I still need you. Call me back, okay?
Without knowing it, my grandmother taught me three major lessons in life.
1. Hazlehurst will always be better than Crystal Springs- It's okay to marry a Crystal Springs boy as long as he moves to Hazlehurst.
2. GEAUX TIGERS GEAUX! Though I never picked up on this lesson, it was definitely taught to me. Taught, and screamed. Screamed out of my car window while driving her through town. Every time I drove her through town. Go get 'em mamaw. For me, SMTTT!
3. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1Peter5:7- Though she was full of jokes and laughs, she didn't always live an easy life. Through her mother's murder, she experienced Christ's power in a whole new way. She learned to give everything to Him, and trust Him in the most painful times. This is a lesson she carried throughout the rest of her life. What she learned then, I am learning now.
The phone calls, text messages, cards and visits have been overwhelming and we are so thankful for the love we've been shown from our precious friends during these trying days. Please continue to pray for Pawpaw. May God receive the glory through it all.
