My grandmother, whom we always called MeeMa, would have turned 104 years-old this very day, August 18, if she was still with us. I think she was born in 1906, or close to it. I don't know a whole lot about her early life, but she married my grandfather and they had four children: First, two boys, then two girls, the older girl being my mother, now close to eighty years old herself.
They lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas and raised their family there, where most of them also settled, or at least somewhat near by. Not my mom! She came out to California and married my dad, where they remained and raised their family -- my brother and I.
Regardless of this distance between us, I grew up feeling close to my grandparents. We really only visited about once a year, if that often, but we were letter-writers, so I took my time and shared a lot of what was going on with her California family. I guess I loved writing even back then.
It was in her later years, after my grandfather passed away, that we grew even closer. She had moved in with my mom's sister, and used to come out to CA to stay with us for a few months at a time. It was during these years that I discovered what a truly amazing woman she was. She was very spiritual and shared many of her beliefs with us, but only when we asked. She
lived her beliefs, and treated everyone she met AND those closest to her especially, with the utmost respect. It seemed it made her happiest when she could be helpful to one of us, and she was always doing something for someone. She used to tell me, whenever I'd be worried about something, to just let it go, and to try and help someone else to get my mind off my own worries!
Oh she was an amazing cook! She could whip up the best meal ever using whatever left-overs she could find -- and she kept a close eye on those and the staples to make sure she used them up before anything could go bad. Of course, she raised her family during the depression years, so they learned to make due with whatever they could get back then. She did not believe in being wasteful!
She taught me how to crochet, and we three gals (her, my mom, and I) would work on our afghans in the evenings after dinner chores were done. She was really fond of playing cards, too, and would often beat us all, much to her delight. Above all, she taught me a lot about loving and respecting others, and doing what was right, but also knowing when to back off and just let things be. Of course, I am hopefully
still growing in those areas, and have about another forty-years of livin' before I will have reached her ripe old age and hopefully the wisdom that comes with it!
I so wish I could have just
one more day with you, Meema. Much love to you today, on what would have been your birthday, and everyday. Although you've been gone for a number of years now, I carry you close in my heart still..... and always will. ♥
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| Wearing one of her own beautifully crocheted ponchos |
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Her last Easter Sunday, watching the kids on an egg-hunt.
I spoke with her on this day, and she told me she didn't want me
to be sad when she passed -- she'd had such a wonderful life.
She died about a month later.
Elga Ada Tillman Irons |
