Lessons From Memaw

My grandmother died over a year ago while I was pregnant with David. She was the world to me. I did not realize how much every moment we had together meant until she got sick. She had Parkinson's and was in a nursing home for almost two years before she died. I can honestly say she was one of my favorite people. She was the best friend I never had growing up. When I look back at my childhood I don't see memories of friends I see camping trips, homeschool days, lake house visits, and her! The role of a grandmother is so huge for some grand children and I was one of the kids. 

I love everything about her. I loved her many aprons that she always wore in the kitchen; it makes me want many, many aprons. I loved her fried chicken and baked goods. She made the best pies; everyone will tell you that. I love the fact that she had Christmas plates and glasses. I love that she had Thanksgiving plates and glasses. I loved her snowman village that she put up every Christmas. I love how she loved the little things in life. I loved that for as long as she could she worked 2 to 3 days a week even though they had no need for money. I love that she was always so involved in church and community groups. I want to be like her in so many ways. 

I must say some of my core interests and traits or through processes come from her. I have learned so many lessons from her. I miss her and think about her a lot. In some ways I am very jealous of her  sitting with Jesus and holding sweet Addie. But I wanted to share with you today a few lessons I learned from Memaw. 

• Keep the House Homey: I remember for every Sunday meal we would help her set up the table the right way. We would put out the cloth napkins, adult salt and pepper shakers, put out the mini kid shakers, and silverware. For birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New years, and on and on there were decorations and specials things to be put up that always made her house feel homey. I love that! 
• Sunday Meal: Sunday lunch is for family. After church she would always make a good meal and have us over. I love how she spent her time in the kitchen cooking and preparing for us. I see it as one of her acts of service. We were all visiting and having fun and she was in their taking care of us. I have such fond memories of those meals and how important they were. We always wanted to go out to eat with friends after church as kids. But trust me I am not looking back saying oh we had so much fun with whoever; the memories are in the family time. 
• Always Stay Manicured: She would always get a manicure and a pedicure like clock work. She got her pamper time and she always looked good. One day I hope to do the same, but for now my nails look like boy nails.
• Shopping is Girl Time: I have no clue if this is a good or bad thing I learned from her. But my love of shopping comes from my Memaw. My mom HATES shopping. But Memaw and my sister we would always go shopping. It was always fun, even if it was just window shopping. It was relaxing and exciting. 
• Bible Study Before Bed: I learned the importance of Bible study from Memaw. She always did Bible study before bed. She had monthly magazines for Bible studies or books. It was like clockwork every night before bed we would do Bible study. I love looking back at that and how she would give me old issues of her magazines to do as my Bible study. It was fun to feel like an adult.
• Family is Everything: To Memaw family was everything. That is what she lived for. She always struggled with depression but when her family was around she light up! She loved doing things with the family and watching us play. She loved taking us to church and showing us off. She did so much for us. She played with us at the lake house. She cooked us the best food. She taught me that quality family relationships are so important in life. She taught me that family time is essential for a happy life. 

I could probably go on and on the things I have learned from her but those are the big things. She never taught me with words; all the big things she taught me were with actions. I hope to be as amazing of a woman as she was. I hope to have a grace, love, and little joys that she had.