Today my Granny (and namesake)went to be with Jesus and my grandfather who died in January 2 years ago. These are the last pictures I took of her just 2 weeks ago when she was here at my home for Christmas. She brought so much joy to our lives. I was so hoping that her body could weather this storm as it has many times in the past, but it was not God's will for me to hear her laugh again. She had a really, good full-belly laugh that I liked. She lived almost exactly 83 years (and one bonus half-day). At times like these it is life-changing to think about how absolutely fleeting life, the legacy that you are leaving, and how indescribable, unfathomable, and absolutely real and relevant God's promises are as you hold and cling to someone who is dying. I was able to spend the last hour of her life near her, holding her hand, and rubbing her with some lotion that smelled like flowers (she loved flowers!) and she was able to tell me, my aunt and my mother that she loved us even at the very end. She still read her Bible often and truly enjoyed people and her family even in her last days. She was also reading "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn (a book that impacted my life greatly) the past few years, which, if you have not read it is a MUST READ...don't let the 500 pages scare you...we have all been looking at it for years now.
So much of who I am I realized came from her one week that I spent at her house one summer during high school. She loves to talk. My granny can talk and talk and talk and the past summer we went to FL to go to the beach with her. I do believe that she talked 9 hours down and 9 hours back. I am like that too. She also loved to have fun and laugh. I do too. She also loved food. She enjoyed her food much like I do...some of our favorites are watermelon, mustard/vinegar and anything tart, sausage, bacon, cornbread, grits, bacon, green beans ("cooked to death" as she would say), and of course, chocolate. Granny loved Chick-Fil-A, Bloody Mary's, Red Lobster, and diamonds--and I do too...well, accept for the Bloody Mary's...but we both liked a good margarita! I am glad that we shared one this past summer in FL! We both loved swimming and enjoyed fried green tomatoes and she made those for me on many occasions. Granny, however, was a night owl...one time when I was in college she woke me up calling to check on me and I had to laugh at the irony of my granny staying up later than a college-kid. She loved CNN, Larry King, and southern gospel music. I have some good memories of being at her home watching Hee-Haw and then miracles of all miracles--she had cable and we were able to watch Nickelodeon instead! She taught me much about dividing and growing flowers. It is such a rare treasure and blessing that my granny was able to be at the births of BOTH of my children and able to enjoy them as they have grown these past few years. She always loved looking at my photo albums and laughing at the pics and stories that go with them. She was able to visit my house and see our farm quite a few times and she even hit Lake Keowee with us last July 4th! We weren't sure we could get her from the lot to the boat ramp and onto the boat...but she did it and we had some good laughs that day (see pic). She has two exceptional daughters who inspire me to be a better daughter. It was amazing to see how they cared for her and absolutely doted over her the past few years especially, but really their entire lives and as long as I can remember they have made sure her health care was on the top of their priority list. I hope I can be so honorable and unselfish in caring for my parents.
Granny most certainly was a strong, strong, strong-willed woman and I think I got some of that--hee hee...just a little, right? She wanted to figure out how to work a computer when they came out--and she did! She knew how to check her email and look at my blog. Not many 80-year-olds can do that! She also loved to go and do I like me. I think I could have fun watching paint peel if people that I love and enjoy are there--and so could she. And she was funny. I love to laugh and make others laugh too.
The other pics are of some of the great memories that my family had with Granny the past few years. I could not resist adding a few of my grandfather smiling...because I know today was a big day for him to smile! My Papa once told me that on the night he asked out the beautiful Juanita that he had been asking around to see who she was...then he decided to ask her out that evening...but she said she had a date that night...he told her she was going out with HIM that night...and you know what else he told me??? He kissed her on that first date! He says he knew she was the one!
Most of all Granny loved God and left a legacy of faith ...both of her children know God ...all of her grandchildren have a personal relationship with Christ..and I am praying all her great-grandchildren will come to know Him at an early age...and for that I'll be eternally grateful...
John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
IN CHRIST--
1 Cor. 15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
And if you happen to read this and don't know...I am sure she would want me to tell you...
Salvation is found in no one else (but Jesus), for there is no other name given by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Let today be the day of your Salvation (2 Cor 6:2)...Psalm 39:4
"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."m
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