G-ma

This is my grandmother, also known as G-ma.



She was born 110 years ago today. She died at 98 while I was pregnant with Savannah, her namesake.

Whenever I would be on my way out of the house, to work, to meet with friends, or just go to the store, she would always have the same offering...

"I have a dollar in my purse. Do you need it?" And if her purse was sitting next to her, she would be reaching in for her billfold before I had a chance to say no. When she died my aunt gave me one of G-ma's billfolds. I put a dollar in it and tucked it away.

There's another memory I have that reminds me just how deep her love ran. I was in fifth grade when my parents separated. My mother drove us to the Piney Woods of East Texas where we lived with G-ma and my Aunt Peggy for the next nine months. That first month was rough. Daddy would call most nights to check in with me and by the end of the call he was struggling to keep his composure. I would hang up bawling. G-ma would draw me a bath and sit on the commode while I cried, my head resting on the edge of the tub. Afterward she would sit beside me on the bed and rub my back until I fell asleep, no matter how long it took.



Thanks, G-ma, for getting me through the rough patches...

And being a bad ass domino partner.

Happy b-day.

Speechless

Today would have been my father's 84th birthday, but we lost him to cancer on October 24, 2000. I've been trying to think of what I can say about him on this blog for the last 24 hours, but nothing comes to mind. What can I say about a man I miss so much, my heart still literally aches when I think of him 10 years after his death.

The only thing that has continually popped in my head is this photo taken before he walked me down the aisle at my wedding. Pat and I have wished since our wedding night that we had just taken the money we spent on the cermony and reception and eloped to Vegas. It would have been so much simpler. But then I wouldn't have this picture.



Happy birthday, Daddy.

I love you.

From: Your "Sugar"

Sweetie Turns Eleven

My baby girl, my “sweetie” as I’ve always called her, turns 11 today.

ELEVEN!

What?!

That means I’m…..

*gasp*

FORTY!

But today is not about me, even though I gave birth to this beautiful girl without drugs. But I won’t start with the guilt trip…yet. She hasn’t pushed me to that point. I figure that will come some time around 14 or 15. I don’t want to waste it and have her be immune to the guilt when I really need it.

I’ve been thinking about what to blog for her birthday for at least a week. What could I say that could live up to the love I have for my first born? The person who helped me realize my dream of becoming a mother.

It occurred to me just now as I’m writing this - I’ll list all the things I love about her. Please note, this list is far from complete.

Another note, this may be sappy.


I love Savannah for…

* the beautiful red fuzz that was on top of her head when she was born.

* recognizing her Daddy’s voice. (She was crying on the warming table. He went over and said, “Hey, Savannah.” She immediately stopped.)



* our moments together in the middle of the night at the hospital. We would just stare at each other as I held her.



* sleeping for 4 hours at a time and allowing me to get some sleep.

* for being so dang photogenic.



* for being a great traveler. (She was such a trooper when we traveled to England without her Dad when she was 4. All the luggage we had to carry through the tube. It was a nightmare, and she loved every minute of it.)

* for dancing when I play the piano.



* for her love of music. (“Music is my life, Mom.”)

* for her beautiful voice.

* for her love of animals and wanting to work in an animal shelter one day.



* for being a great helper in the kitchen.



* for being a kick ass volleyball and basketball player.

* for realizing it’s just a game when she wins or loses.

* for being a fun Wii partner…and reminding me it’s just a game, especially when I lose.

* for still resting her head on my shoulder while we watch tv.

* for being my biggest fan of both my singing and my writing.

* for having her Daddy’s sense of humor.



* for being a sweet, gentle soul.

* for being a loving big sister.



* for being Savannah, and no one else.





Happy 11th birthday!

I love you, Sweetie, more than I can say.