(Randal and I at our first Thanksgiving celebration in Stephenville, TX)
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I am constantly reminded
how much there is to be thankful for: a home, a wonderful husband, two loving
and some-what-well-behaved dogs, and, of course, Clemson Football. All of these are manifestations of God’s
provision and grace in Randal’s and my life (well, maybe save Clemson Football,
but I could even argue that). But, this year I am especially thankful for the
life of one woman, my grandmother, more lovingly known as Memaw.
Memaw
turns 90-years-old today, and is soon to welcome her first two
great-grandchildren into the world. Her 90+ years of life will be remembered
not by instances, but decades, of love, hard work, excellence, and true servant
hood.
I
have never heard anyone speak an ill word of my grandmother. She is a woman who, over
the course of her life, has gained respect through her actions rather than
through power or stature. She has been such a wonderful inspiration and—at
least in my opinion—is one of the best living examples of what it looks like
(or should look like) to be a woman. I can't count the numerous important lessons that
Memaw has taught me over the years, but 4 stand out prominently in my mind:
- Perseverance and hard work pay off. One of my favorite stories that Memaw tells is that she failed the Civil Service exam on the first try. Instead of taking this failure as defeat, she studied and studied and took the test again, and this time passed. From the way she tells it, she loved her long career as a civil servant.
- Pretty people don’t need to talk ugly. I may have taken some creative liberties with this one, but over the years, Memaw made it very clear that two types of speech can come out of your mouth: pretty and ugly. We should always try to talk pretty, as speaking ugly is unacceptable. It’s a pretty easy concept that can sometimes be pretty tough to put into practice.
- Loving and serving others is more fun than being by yourself. Memaw has thrived on doing things for others her entire life. Even still, she shares her beloved McDonald’s pies with her roommate.
Even though Memaw never received the college education she
so-desired, she imparted to me more of an education than I ever received inside
a four-walled classroom. So special is the bond between grandparents and
grandchildren; it sometimes I wonder what my parents will teach my daughter
that she will never learn from me.
Thank you for bearing with me through the sappiness of the
blog. For me, it does not come very easily or often, but when it does, it seems
to flow freely.
With that in mind, here is my third note to Lillian.
Dearest Lillian,
First, you are kicking my laptop as I write this. It’s very
hard to type on a moving keyboard, so you should wait to do your calisthenics
just a few minutes longer. But, I have to admit, I am so excited for the day I
get to kiss those little feet that can’t stop kicking. I also cannot wait for
you to meet your aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-granparents, as I know that they are overly eager to meet you!
So many people already love you, but none more, I imagine,
than your daddy (you may currently recognize him as the man with the muffled
voice). You already have him wrapped around your teeny-tiny-itty-bitty finger.
He is so excited—and nervous—to meet you. Besides the man you eventually marry,
no man here on earth will love you as much as your daddy, and no one will come
to your rescue faster.
I can’t wait to see all that you learn from him. You are so
blessed to have such a wise and intelligent father. I only pray that you take
it easy on him, as a tear or a smile from you might be enough to break or melt
his heart.
Your mommy and daddy love you so much, and we will see you
in about 3 months!!!
Love,
Mommy
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