Maw......

Last week was quite a whirlwind, to say the least. I received a text message Tuesday afternoon regarding my grandmother. My grandmother has been ill for quite some time and definitely weak. Something inside told me to that I needed to go see her; being that I hadn't been around since Christmas. I took off work Wednesday and went home to Munday on Tuesday evening. I went to Wichita Falls on Wednesday, to where I would see my Maw for the very last time. She was so tired that day. She barely could get out the words to speak to me. We discussed my girls, Jentri said "Maw" for her too, and we discussed how much she loved us all. She then told me how excited she was because her time to meet Jesus was coming soon! It brought tears to my eyes. She then asked about my dad's recent trip to come see us. She said that he told her how much of a good time he had. He told her all about Jaylee playing soccer, to her dance recital, to our ever so frustrating housing situation. She asked if anything new had come up, and I told her much to our frustration, no. She calmly smiled and said "God will put you where you are meant to be".

I left that day happy. I was happy to let my Maw go. I was happy to see her suffer no more. I came back to Canadian, and back to work on Thursday. My heart was heavy Thursday evening after speaking to my Dad and middle sister. I knew the time was near. I began packing my bags, as I knew what my weekend would probably have in store. As Jeremy arrived home at 7:30- he was talking on the phone. He came in the living room to tell me once he hung up, that Maw had just passed away. As rejoiceful as I was for her, I was saddened for me. My Maw was precious. My Maw was one of a kind.

Upon reminiscing of my favorite things about my Maw, here were some of my faves:
1.cooking- My Maw was the best cook, especially when it came to desserts. Coconut creme pie, chocolate pie, pecan pie, German chocolate cake, Italian creme cakes, and my favorite- peach cobbler, were definitely some of the best. We would gather on any occasion, and if there wasn't at least ONE dessert, per person, then she wasn't satisfied. She loved to cook. Her God given talent was Cooking and she displayed it; daily.
2. Feisty- my grandmother had a definite feisty side kick to her. (I've learned that this is probably where I get some of mine from). She had no problem speaking what she thought (hmmmm) and she definitely could put anyone in their place. I loved her honesty. As some would be offended by "your gaining weight" or "you're losing weight"- I loved loved loved her honesty.
3. Biscuits and Gravy. With tears in my eyes as I write about this, I can say that my Maw made the best homemade biscuits and gravy. Her biscuits had the best taste and nobody could make biscuits like my Maw! (She also made the best apricot preserves, from her apricot trees in the backyard, that would make your mouth water )
4. The finger. While some Grandmothers read books to their grandchildren, or play games/puzzles, my grandmother taught me survival skills. When I was really little, I mean, REALLY little- like probably age 4, maybe 5. I remember my Grandmother asking me if anyone ever made me mad or upset sometimes. I recall hat particular day being upset with my Mom as she left me sleeping on my grandparents couch, while she ran to Wal-Mart. I was so ticked off at her! Anyways, My Maw taught me that when anyone makes me mad or upset, to just "give em the finger"! And boy howdy.... she even taught me how to do it! Talk about hilarious! To this day, I still remember her sitting on that couch and laughing at me saying "Brittany, just give em the finger!"
5. Vocabulary- My maw had such a  southern draw on some of her words. She was one who never washed her hair in the bathtub, and I don't recall the woman ever taking a shower. She would always wash her hair in the kitchen sink. When the time came for her to wash her hair for the week, she would always say "I need to go ranch my hair out" (Instead of saying RINSE, she had such a draw on the middle sound that it sounded more like ranch my hair instead of rinse- priceless!)
6. Simplicity- Maw was SIMPLE. She didn't need fancy clothes, cars, diamonds, dishes, furniture, etc. All Maw wanted was love and happiness. When I think of happy, I think of Maw. Her Pa was the absolute light of her life- and nothing brought her more joy than him. After surprising us all and lasting 10 years after his death, she still displayed her simplicity. Maw never wanted attention. She never wanted people to gawk or stare at her. Maw just loved to give and enjoy people's company. I wish I was more like this- just simple.
7. Lollipooces! Yup- that's right- "Lollipooces" is what Maw would say when something surprised her, upset her, or just made her feel good..... you could always hear her say "Lollipooces" and it would always make me laugh/smile. Don't ask me where it came from- it's just Maw~!

I could go on longer, but as you can see- my grandmother definitely had some characteristics that separated her. She was so funny and such a light in my life.

Something that I have been able to cling onto is that she told me that God would put me where I was meant to be. As very few know, Jeremy and I have been on hold with housing. We actually have been on a waiting game for a place that Jeremy knows about. Long story short- the man was dying in the nursing home, and his son (Jeremy's friend) couldn't sell it until the man died. As awful as it sounds to be "waiting on a death to buy a house"; we just keep praying for God's timing. His timing maybe just that- perfect. After getting past my Grandmother's death Thursday evening, we learned that this friend's Dad died Thursday evening as well- at the exact same time. Could this be God closing one of my doors; yet opening another? I don't know- it's almost bone chilling to think about it. I just know that I'm clinging to the cross because my worries are getting me nowhere.

To my Maw- you were the best Maw I could ever ask for. Your simplicity and your recipes will forever be dear to me. I know you are in heaven cooking Pa biscuits and gravy, all the while he's standing there saying "hubba hubba" as he watches you cook! I love you.