Grandmother (part IV)

The memorial service was nicely done. Joann spoke and mentioned the Lord helped her pull it all together. She recited a poem and included many things my sisters told her. She did a great job. I wouldn’t have been able to read it without crying. The title is “Grandmother’s Poem.”

“Grandmother’s Poem”

“While at Grandmother’s bedside,

Dad asked if I’d share today

Full of emotion, I didn’t think this possible,

But then remembered, with God NOTHING is impossible!!  (Phil 4:13)

Empty inside, words wouldn’t come

Traveling to work, K-LOVE (radio), my friend

4 King & Country’s, ‘Busted Heart’ lyrics did play

‘Hold on to Me’, ‘Hold on to Me’, my silent prayer became.

What began as adjectives:

Polished, classy, fashionable,

Precious, sweet & kind.

Caring, devoted, matriarch,

Independent, strong willed, determined…

Phrases & words finally came.

A grandmother’s love, who can fathom?

Love for her family – fierce like a bear

Love for pets (poodles were her fav) and her gardens too.

Advice on clothes, hair, nails, and manners too.

Wisdom from an immaculate, classy woman.

Stories of younger days,

Of modeling, and a Southern Bell too.

Many jobs and exciting interests were hers.

Career climbs, executive this & that

At OSHA she did wind.

                                                                                                            

Watching my siblings & I, a joy for her,

A yearly trip to Jekyll Mom & Dad (Jaycees convention) would go.

Fun, cooking, hygiene lessons,

Rearranging, redecorating,

Changing’ things’ & moving ‘stuff’;

a small price to pay, for the fun we all had!

Memories of her River House are fond for all –

Shrimp nets, glass balls, hanging beads, one big room

Floating dock, crabbin’, fishin’,

sting rays & snapping turtles caught.

Ledge jumping, swimming for hours,

Showers, nap time, then crabs to boil.

Land to roam, space for tag & childhood games

Rose gardens named for each one (of her grands).

Summertime, Yankees would come

Arrive in a big blue bus.

Hours of fun in the sun,

Later a shrimp boil she would host.

New experiences, included travel w/ Trayc,

Back when days were carefree

Simpler, trusting, two 13 year olds by poolside she could leave.

Dinners w/ gentlemen friends we’d all go

Trayc, GM & I what a trio we must have been!

When taking pictures, her glasses just HAD to go!

‘Wait!’  ‘How’s my hair?’  ‘My teeth?’

Her feet had to be placed ‘just so’ (she wanted the perfect pic!!).

Later in life, her wheelchair, her friend

No one! Nothing! Could keep her down!

When this her only transportation,

A trip to Winn Dixie she did go!

Calls to Dad others did make,

‘Check on your mother; she’s gotten away!’ 

Magnolia Manor w/ a fuss she did go

However, new friends & dinner companions,

Black shoes w/ rhinestones & eyebrows drawn, a MUST! (even if they were red!)

Bday 95, she thought it was 96!

No one could convenience her otherwise – why even try?

Last breath, eyes half open

Told to Mom & Jackie to go

Finally at rest, her work here done!

As a comfort for her loved ones

It may help to know…

She knew the end was near.

She told others she was ready to ‘go’.

Pastor Paul assures ‘her spiritual bags were packed’ &

‘Everything was in place.’

Now, we can have hope in our hearts & can smile at her memory

Until our time together again we can enjoy, I can hear her say…

‘Remember all I’ve taught’, ‘Stand up straight!’, ‘Do your best!’

‘I love you, Doll!’

Grandmothers truly know what it means to LOVE unconditionally.  They take such pride in watching us grow & in seeing us mature.  We see ourselves in them & they see their youth is us.  We’ll thank God for allowing our grandmother, Margaret Royal, to love, guide & influence us.”