My Grandmother

I remember taking Grandma to get the above picture of her taken and she wanted to get her hair done first but I wanted it to be as I saw her most days. She was always beautiful just as she was to me. "Sorry Grandma, but I somehow knew there would come a day that I would get a chance to show you off to the world, as you should have been shown off all along. I can hear you denying it and chuckling all along. I know you'll forgive me." *S*

It has been said "To know her is to love her" and that was grandma. Not just by her family but by all she came in contact with throughout her life. Most everyone called her "mom" or "grandma". I now know that everything happens for a reason and that she was placed on this earth especially for people like me.

She was born in Kentucky. For reasons unknown to us she and the rest of the children in her family were placed in an orphanage. She met my grandfather as a young girl. He had lost his wife and had 3 children of his own. He needed a babysitter so he could work and that turned out to be grandma. They moved to Indiana and later married and had 9 children.

Throughout a lot of problems in her children's lives, she ended up with several grandkids living in that little 2 bedroom house as well as some of her own children still living at home. But we made the best of it and it certainly was a house full of love. I remember the times we had...several of my aunt's friend's would come over on the weekends and we would have tons of popcorn and pepsi and music and dancing in that little house. Everyone was welcome and though we didn't have much, whenever anyone came to visit grandma always asked "are you hungry"?...and she'd fix them something to eat. We had several fruit trees and she would make the best cobblers ever!

She never traveled outside Indiana much. I know my dad took her to visit one of her sisters that she found in Kentucky a few times and she did go to Florida once that I recall. To my knowledge, she never found her other siblings. She always stayed home, babysat and took care of things for everyone else...always sacrificing her time and happy to do it. She could never say "no" to anyone. She loved all children.They were her "life". As for the grownups...if anyone needed anything and she had it to give..it was theirs. She found great joy in the happiness of others and pushing them on to be "all that they could be". She always stood in the background and sacrificed her entire life to the well being of all the people around her.

I still lean on her today...even through my mistakes she was always there for me and I can hear her saying..."You're not the first one to make mistakes and you sure won't be the last". Even if she thought someone was wrong she would stand beside them in whatever they believed in and was always the best listener. Other famous words from her..."well, shoot!..you fell down so just get up and try again". I often ask myself in trying times what she would do or say if she were here and I hear those words ringing in my ears...so yes..she always has been and will continue to be...

The following award is for my wonderful Grandmother and her ongoing inspiration. Janie, thanks SO much!

This next award came as a complete surprise to me! Once again, I graciously give this award to my grandmother...she deserves it. Sherre, thank you and God Bless You...I love it!..and I know Grandma would too. We will cherish this award always. :-)

Sherre also sent me this beautiful gift! Thank you so very much!