85 Years: Mamaw, Part 3

With grands and great-grands - my first time to make HER a bday dessert!

Mamaw's first Easter basket for Elijah

4 generations - with 1 month old Abigail

Mamaw was a mother to so many, and known as Mamaw to tons of folks who were not even related to her. My high school friends loved her as they got to know her as a consistently smiling face, collecting money and marking tickets in our cafeteria checkout line. I would even have folks stop me in the hall on some special mornings when they could smell her awesome chicken casserole to say, "Mamaw cooked today!"




College friends came home with me for holidays and she included them, making Easter baskets for them, or having a gift ready so they felt included. My aunts and uncles had friends who visited her throughout their lives, whether or not the actual kid of hers that they knew was even there. That's how special she was! She maintained relationships with ladies she had worked with decades earlier, talking to them regularly.

Mamaw and some of us grandkids

loving on Isaac

Mamaw visited the local coffee shop with us

She was so proud to see the desserts I made

 After Papaw died, a coworker of his who had recently become a widower, reached out to her. Carl became like family to us over the next 25ish years. Their bond was precious as he helped in some ways to fill a spot in our family that Papaw left behind and he was a dear companion to her.

growing family celebrating Mamaw's birthday

 Papaw died when I was a young teen so I have missed him for nearly 30 years. When Mamaw's health started declining a few years ago, and she was struggling more with pain and confusion, it was so hard. We had lost my other two grandfathers and James' parents in barely over a year just before that, and it became a desperate time of pleading with God that He wouldn't take Mamaw too soon. I selfishly felt like I needed more memories with her, and for my children to have her in our lives as their last great-grandparent. I had moments of incredible meltdown just imagining the day she would no longer be around. James would try to comfort me as I cried just thinking of not being able to go to her home anymore, where we had always celebrated and spent time. She was my last grandparent and I could not bear picturing life without her.

God was gracious. We were given several more years. There were multiple times to talk with her, listen to stories, take photos, laugh, and for my kids spent the night with her. All of them adored going to Mamaw's house, and were so happy to spend time with her. It was really special that she got to know Owen. That was a really big gift, since he doesn't remember my grandfathers, never knew James' dad, and barely knew James' mom. He made her laugh and was bold in his snuggling, kissing and talking to her, which was so good for us all.

to be continued....