grace aloud

If I had to sum up the reason I’m fortunate to have my grandparents in one sentence, I’d say this: These four people set a legacy of faith and family in motion that continues to define my life today.

On my dad’s side, my grandparents are Mamaw and Papaw—Gwen and Jim (James).  We were fortunate to have them live in the same town as us for much of our growing up time.  I don’t know how many chicken salad sandwiches Mamaw made for me growing up.  Before she retired, my mamaw used to be a florist and an EMT—she continues to arrange flowers (there’s a gorgeous huge fall wreath in her backyard at this very moment) and she took my papaw’s blood pressure all the time until he died.  This week, we celebrated Mamaw’s 80th birthday.  I loved getting to go to Houston and see her new home and to see all of the people whose lives she touches every day.  I think her favorite guest at her party was John Paul, a 1 year old little boy with Downs Syndrome who goes to my aunt’s preschool; Mamaw goes and tends to him all the time, and his brothers call her “Grandma Gwen.”  

Papaw was an engineer, and he received a Purple Heart for his service in WWII when a land mine exploded as his company was doing an operation.  He was very very kind and gentle, and although it was frustrating for me as a teenager trying to explain to him how to operate his computer as he scribbled down cryptic notes on the back of papers he would later lose (all the while asking me HOW I KNEW that it would work that way), I remember those experiences very fondly now.  When Papaw prayed before every meal that we had together, it was a little hard to understand his words, as he spoke quietly.  I had to train Jonathan to do like the rest of us—listen for Mamaw to say Amen, and then you knew it was over.  :)  He never failed to pray for our troops, though.  I was fortunate to have all of my grandparents live until I was 22, when Papaw died in January 2009.  It was so hard to see him go, but I am thankful for the legacy that he left to our family, and I know that I will see him again!

One funny story I remember about Mamaw and Papaw is that when they were dating, Mamaw was at Mississippi College, a Baptist college.  [As a side note, I have an Emily Post Etiquette book of hers from those days that I love.]  One evening, Mamaw was over at Papaw’s apartment (or he was visiting her) and they received a call from the president of the college!  He had lots of serious questions for Papaw about his intentions with one of their co-eds, and pretty much made him as nervous as possible trying to explain that everything was on the up-and-up.  Welllllll…. It turns out it was just one of his friends playing a prank on him.  :)

(mamaw and papaw with me and my cousin Nathan, 1987)

(Mamaw and Papaw with their four kids, Christmas 2008)

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On my mom’s side, my grandparents are my Granny and Grandad—Dortha and Russell.  My granny is a fabulous quilter (we have a quilt she made me on our bed), and she played basketball in high school (I love her team picture!), and her friends called (call!) her Dot.  Granny’s main job was raising her four kids—she also worked as a school secretary once they were older.  She’s recently had a hip and knee replacement and is getting very Facebook savvy.  :)  I love when we get to visit together!  Grandad was also an engineer, and he too served in the military.  They got to travel quite a bit when he was in the armed forces, and Granny has told me stories of their time in Italy.  Grandad always has the very best garden, and I love to eat food fresh that he has grown.  It’s a sight to behold every summer!  We have a tradition that we go to their house (in a gated community with a lake) every July 4 to celebrate Independence Day.  Our whole family comes, and for that side of the family it’s almost a bigger celebration than Christmas!  Every year there’s a parade, time at the lake in the afternoon, fireworks at night, and lots and lots of food.

(Grandad with Taylor on his old tractor, early 90s)

(granny and grandad with their four kids, Christmas 2008)

I’m so thankful for all of my grandparents, and for the fact that I have been able to know them so well and be so close to them.  Again, I am thankful for the legacy they have left to our family