Memories of Grandma

I don't know why, but I have struggled to get this post from inside of my head down onto paper.  I have started this post so many times only to end up stuck in my thoughts again.

My grandmother crossed over from this world into eternity two weeks ago.  Everyone knew she was sick, but no one really expected things to happen as quickly as they did. She went to heaven, of that I have no doubt, and for that I am grateful.

My grandmother was an interesting woman.  Growing up, I remember she had a sophistication that not many other people had.  She was the epitome of a proper southern woman.  She knew what she wanted and you had better either help her or get out of her way, because one way or the other she was going to get it.  She wasn't what I would consider pushy, but she had a strong determination. Granddaddy probably would have called it stubborn, but then again she would have said the same about him.

I remember spending a lot of time at my grandparents' house.  Simple things like coming over every Sunday afternoon to visit.  Sometimes those visits would be full of talking, but most times it was just being in the same room as each other.  Granddaddy would be checking his eyelids for holes while the rest of us watched Nascar racing on the television, not that we necessarily enjoyed racing but if you changed the channel it would wake granddad up.

I remember the meals.  We would get together at grandma's house for most every holiday, but especially Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.  She loved Christmas Eve.  Gifts would be under the tree for everyone and you always had to go in order of youngest to oldest. No matter how much we protested, you did not deviate from that order.  Those nights were also filled with country ham biscuits, cheese balls with crackers, and grandma's punch.  I think it was the only occasion we used the punch bowl, but that was fine by grandma. 

This last Christmas Eve was the last time that I saw my grandmother alive.  Living in Tulsa makes it difficult to see everyone as frequently.  She was home, pretty much confined to a hospital bed at the time.  The bed was set up in the front room where we always gathered as a family to open gifts.  The room much too small for the number people, but we all managed to cram in anyway.  I remember watching her.  She looked great in her Christmas sweater, still just as proper as she always was.  But what I remember the most was the look on her face as everyone exchanged and opened gifts.  It was a look of contentment.  It was obvious she was taking everything in.  Every sight, every sound, every laugh and joke that was made.  I remember telling Glory after watching her for a while, this may very well be the last Christmas Eve where we are all together.  Sadly that turned out to be the case.

Of all the many memories that I have of my grandmother, one of the best ones is knowing that she loved me and was proud of me.  That wasn't something I ever had to wonder about with her.  She didn't keep it a secret from me or anyone else.  I certainly wasn't the only one she loved, but I was one of the ones she loved.

In life, leave no doubt.  Tell the ones you love how much you love them.  Show them every chance you get.