75 Years Young

My Grandmommy is turning 75 years young this week. I can hardly believe it. She's my Grandmother, so in many ways she's always been "old" to me and in so many other ways, she's always been "young". I tell her that I'll start treating her like an old lady when she is one in about 20 years. ;)

Grandmommy has had a life that would easily produce a best-selling book or an Oscar award worthy movie....actresses would be begging for the rich part. It's been an extraordinary journey when you stop to think about it. Tragic and painful, hopeful and joyous, silly and sad. From her Oklahoma Native-American roots to the prominent Rochelle, TX community member she is today, her story has been filled with examples of God's provision. It's an amazing story. I'm so proud of her. But that is her story to tell, in her words, at her discretion. So, since this is my blog, and I have 30+ years of memories, I'll tell some of my stories.

My early memories of Grandmommy are of a tough lady.....a strong lady.....a hard-working lady. Grandmommy was the kind of woman who would get up and cook breakfast, clean, tend to the garden in the Texas sun, make lunch, do laundry, pull weeds, pick up pecans, can and jar and bake, run errands in town, have coffee and still make dinner, including a cobbler for dessert. All in a days work. She wasn't a "frail" Grandmother with dollies or ceramics or spoon collections. There were no dainty dishes or flower arrangements on her kitchen table. She was a woman who could clean fish and prepare venison. A woman who could shoot a shotgun to kill, I mean scare, a cat or work long hours in the Texas heat like a migrant worker, tan from the hot summer sun. She was a woman with a stocked cellar in case of a tornado. She could knit and crochet with the best of them. Potholders, blankets and dolls galore. She could paint too. She was hard-working. She was strong. She was brave. She was expected to be. I watched her cook and learned from her. I followed along behind her in over-sized plastic flip flops (that are now over-priced crocs) never realizing that her hard work wasn't fun and games. I merrily hung laundry on the line and snapped beans, picked okra from the garden and peaches from the orchard – well, the fruit trees lining the fence was an orchard to me back then. I thought I was working just as hard as she was - even though it was only for a few hours over spring break or summer vacation. For me it was fun. For her, a way of life.

Grandmommy was also my friend. My confidant. We wrote letters back and forth from the time I learned to write. I remember writing her letters and waiting for a response. I loved getting those thick envelopes. When I was old enough to drive, I exercised my new freedom by traveling to Stephenville and Brownwood and Rochelle to visit her. During those horrible, awkward teenage years we  sometimes talked a lot. Sometimes we just shopped or ate.  They are precious memories to me.  

As I got older, Grandad retired and Grandmommy seemed to work less. Not as much canning. The garden grew smaller and smaller. There was more time for trips to Fredericksburg and Mason. More long talks over drives and lunches in town. More time for the three of us to venture out together. I got to know Grandmommy more and as a person than as just a Grandmother.

Now that I’m 35 and I have a little more life experience…..a few more painful memories and lots more happy ones….I see Grandmommy in an even different light. I see her as an example of what hard work and faith in God can do. She is an example of when you know better, you do better. I am so proud of her and who she has become – what she has overcome. She is an amazing woman. God has provided for her in so many ways. She has truly been blessed.

I love you so much Grandmommy and hope that you have a good week and Happy Birthday! I hope you know how much you have influenced my life...in so many ways over the years. You are a good Grandmommy. You've been a good Grandmommy to me from the time you stayed in Dallas to help Mom out when I was born. You are still one now - supporting me in Connecticut and loving David and Evan. Thank you. I'm so glad that you are a part of my story.

Happy Birthday!

If Grandad were here today, I bet he'd have you something all wrapped up from Jeep Collins! A set with earrings and necklace. He loved you so much. He'd be so proud of how brave you've been these last few years and how you've continued to be such a help in Rochelle....the meals and such. I'll never forget the February he went to the post office for coffee with Valentine boxers over his jumpsuit! ;)  Random thought.....just thought of that and laughed, followed by a couple of tears.  

Happy Birthday! I love you.