And Grandma too!

"When I'd do something bad, my conscience would say, 'What would Grandma think?' ... She taught me the good side, to act right, be polite."

~Victor Thompson~

Yesterday my fingers had Grandpa on my mind, today they naturally transitioned to Grandma.  Imagine that!  Those who had the misfortune of not knowing my grandmother have my eternal sympathy.

Grandma was special to me in a way that was totally different than Grandpa.  I grew up without a father until I was nine.  My grandpa filled that "daddy-void" and for the entire rest of his life he was my father figure - actually he still is.  I had a step-father but that "father-daughter" bond was already sealed with Grandpa by the time step-dad came around.

But Grandma, oh Grandma!  She taught me so much about all kinds of things.  She and my mother's two sisters were the biggest female influences in my life.  I loved my mother and mean her no disrespect but my grandmother and aunts were my mother figures.  Don't get me wrong - my mother taught me a lot of things too but they were different things and really had little to do with how I felt and what I wanted to do with my life.

I remember the preacher saying at Grandma's funeral that he'd never met a more humble person.  I've thought about that over the years and have come to the realization that he was spot on.  Grandma WAS humble.  She was a simple woman who believed in always doing the right thing.  Two of her favorite sayings were "Right's right and right don't wrong anybody" and "Tell the truth and shame the devil".

Grandma was one of those rare people who was satisfied with what she had.  I'm not saying she never wished for more, but if she did, she apparently kept it to herself - at least she never told me.  She thanked God everyday that she had everything she needed and would willingly share everything with those she loved.

I spent a lot of time with my grandparents off and on through the years and learned some of life's most important lessons from them.  Grandma made sure I knew it was important to keep God in my life and to honor Him always.  Of everything she taught me - and she taught me much - I consider this most important.

Grandma was also a strict disciplinarian.  When she told you to behave, you best behave.  She was quick with a good whipping if the situation called for it - and it often did.  She only told you once to behave - there was none of this "I'm going to count to 3" nonsense with her.  You got one chance and then you suffered the consequences.  Sometimes grandchildren got a second chance but no one got a third chance.

I miss Grandma all the time but I think I miss her most during holidays and family events.  Nobody in the family can cook exactly like she did (though some of us try really hard).  A common question when we're all together is "how did grandma/mama make such-and-such?"

It's been 15 years since we lost Grandma and she's still influencing us - well, me anyway.  What an awesome legacy to leave!  Thank you, Grandma.  I love you and I miss you.