Last night I had a dream about my grandma, or as I like to say "NaNa" She has been gone almost 5 years now so it was nice to get a visit in my dreams. I certainly think of her often, and she (even gone) provides laughs for my family!
How I knew My Grandma,
As a young one growing up and building my imagination, what happened at Nana's house…stayed at Nana's house! Many memories of my childhood are (to this day) kept secret…pacts between Nana and I (and sometimes my big sis Niki). SOME I will share with you, OTHERS I swore never to repeat but always to remain a part of my heart forever.
I credit a lot of who I have become to my Grandmother. You know…the one who influenced my childhood just as much as my parents. The woman who taught me the true meaning of reverse psychology and pushed me in her own stubborn way to achieve my goals.
First impressions of my grandmother are unmatched! The way people respond to her is a quality I hope I have inherited. Vibrant, exciting, and very talkative! That's my Nana! And boy did I know all about every last character in her recent romance novels or every member of the Gathier Band, of which I knew many songs and sang along all the time. Singing was a past time I most cherish with her. Nana had the voice of an angel in her day, and she always encouraged me to sing my little heart out.
This is the woman who taught me to read...eventually. Taking special note of my first secret! And that was…1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Kiss? From my many Dr. Seuss adventures…I hadn't come to learn the words, but more so to memorize them! Haha, but somehow Nana knew. One day taking a pen to change the words and having me read it again! She caught me! But it was from then on that she knew I was going to be a smart one for she said, "Anyone who can remember all those silly rhymes and words…can surely learn to read books like this." (She said this has she held up the largest version of the Bible I have ever seen in print). But that was a book I couldn't even fathom reading at the time. But this was when I was introduced to Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." In due time I learned to read and can credit that to be my most cherished memory verse.
There is nothing faint or half-hearted about my Grandma. She was the apple of many eyes. She pursued everything with irresistible enthusiasm, always bending, but never breaking! Nana was one that exuded self-confidence and total control but never afraid to show her sweet side…and tooth (and as one of many grandchildren…I know first hand what this really means!) Nana ALWAYS had bubblegum, and not just any gum…sugarless! And her reasoning…well it goes something like this, "A girl as sweet as you doesn't need any sweeter…otherwise, you just might melt and my heart would break."
Nana was audacious and VERY intent on getting her way! A Morris quality I myself have a smidge of! Stubborn to a fault…that was my grandma! Forbid anyone ever do anything for her! I will never forget family gatherings. Nana would prepare the food, serve the food, and clean up the food just so we could all mingle amongst ourselves. I didn't understand until now why that was so pertinent to her. I never saw her shine more then when her whole family was together, or when she held her grandbabies. Nana has so much love to give and I am lucky to have been showered with it for 21 years. I am honored to carry her name as my own…I only hope to live up to it.
This is the grandma I will always know, love, and remember!
I love you Nana!
No comments:
Post a Comment