This is a picture of my Grandma and me. We're walking hand in hand on the Queen Bee Ranch. I never saw this picture until we were going through stacks and piles of photos and papers. When I saw it, I was filled with love and happy memories. This is how I will always remember my Grandma. Walking, talking, taking our time. She always made me feel like the only person in the world (this picture looks like we're the only people in the world).I’ve been struggling, trying to figure out how I want to start this entry. My mind has been thinking non-stop since my Grandma has passed away. I am so thankful I was able to know my Grandmother in all the different stages of my life. This story was written by her brother, Wayne. I remember reading it when I was 14 (the same age as my Grandma in the story). I always admired her mature spirit of compassion. Not many 14 year olds would have been that honorable...especially to a pesky 10 year old kid brother.
Wayne says, "I have one vivid memory when I was about 10 years of age and playing on a 75 pound limit basketball team. We were going out of town to play in a tournament, and I had no money. Money was scarce for everybody, but somehow she came up with a dime and gave it to me so I could have a hamburger and coke with the rest of the team. It did wonders for my spirits and self esteem. By the way we won that Tournament in Checotah and I couldn't have been prouder."
As a young girl, I have so many fond memories of The Queen Bee Ranch. I loved going to visit my grandma there. It was a little girl’s idea of heaven. She had stairs, an adding machine (with “receipts”), satiny nightgowns, and wide-open spaces. Grandma always had an outfit or two that she had sewn waiting for Amanda and me. We’d always try on our new duds and pose on the stairs for our photo-op. The strange thing is I never remember my parents being there. Haha! I know they were there, but it was all about Grandma and me when we went to visit. I got my first bee sting at the Queen Bee. One afternoon, my Grandma and I went out to pick some apples. When I plucked my first apple off the tree, I noticed a bee feasting on the sweet juices through a hole a bird had created. In my 5 year old mind, I thought it would be a brilliant idea to just pick the bee out of the hole. Of course I got stung. Of course my world came apart. Of course Grandma was there to make it better. She carried me in the house, sat me on the kitchen counter and put a baking soda paste on the sting. I do not ever remember my Grandma getting upset with me. I can only imagine how wild and (most likely) annoying I was during those visits. I’m so thankful to have known that unconditional love at such an early age (and throughout my life).
As an adult, I had the privilege of being her “beauty operator”. She was my most loyal client. Always happy, always a good tipper, and always a good conversation. My Grandma grew up during the depression era. She was raised on a farm in rural Oklahoma. She was one of 7 children, and she learned to work (and work hard) from an early age. I know my Great-Grandmother wasn’t always the most affectionate mother…physically or emotionally. One time I asked my Grandma how came to be such a loving mother and Grandmother since she wasn’t raised in that kind of home. She told me of a time when she was sitting in church as a little girl. The mother in the pew in front of them was rubbing her daughter’s back. Grandma got emotional and said to me, “I just kept thinking how nice that would feel to have my mother rub my back. I just wanted that so bad.” She made a promise to herself to always give love in that way. She was never overly affectionate, but she never withheld from us. I am so thankful she learned how to love (self taught), and then taught my dad how to love (and then my mom just refined all of that when she came along. Haha!)
It’s impossible to write everything I love, remember and admire about my Grandma. As I was driving home today, this song came on the radio. I got a little emotional thinking about the time we meet again…
I'm gonna walk with my grandma,
As a young girl, I have so many fond memories of The Queen Bee Ranch. I loved going to visit my grandma there. It was a little girl’s idea of heaven. She had stairs, an adding machine (with “receipts”), satiny nightgowns, and wide-open spaces. Grandma always had an outfit or two that she had sewn waiting for Amanda and me. We’d always try on our new duds and pose on the stairs for our photo-op. The strange thing is I never remember my parents being there. Haha! I know they were there, but it was all about Grandma and me when we went to visit. I got my first bee sting at the Queen Bee. One afternoon, my Grandma and I went out to pick some apples. When I plucked my first apple off the tree, I noticed a bee feasting on the sweet juices through a hole a bird had created. In my 5 year old mind, I thought it would be a brilliant idea to just pick the bee out of the hole. Of course I got stung. Of course my world came apart. Of course Grandma was there to make it better. She carried me in the house, sat me on the kitchen counter and put a baking soda paste on the sting. I do not ever remember my Grandma getting upset with me. I can only imagine how wild and (most likely) annoying I was during those visits. I’m so thankful to have known that unconditional love at such an early age (and throughout my life).
As an adult, I had the privilege of being her “beauty operator”. She was my most loyal client. Always happy, always a good tipper, and always a good conversation. My Grandma grew up during the depression era. She was raised on a farm in rural Oklahoma. She was one of 7 children, and she learned to work (and work hard) from an early age. I know my Great-Grandmother wasn’t always the most affectionate mother…physically or emotionally. One time I asked my Grandma how came to be such a loving mother and Grandmother since she wasn’t raised in that kind of home. She told me of a time when she was sitting in church as a little girl. The mother in the pew in front of them was rubbing her daughter’s back. Grandma got emotional and said to me, “I just kept thinking how nice that would feel to have my mother rub my back. I just wanted that so bad.” She made a promise to herself to always give love in that way. She was never overly affectionate, but she never withheld from us. I am so thankful she learned how to love (self taught), and then taught my dad how to love (and then my mom just refined all of that when she came along. Haha!)
It’s impossible to write everything I love, remember and admire about my Grandma. As I was driving home today, this song came on the radio. I got a little emotional thinking about the time we meet again…
I'm gonna walk with my grandma,
and she'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell her how I missed her,
every minute since she left.
Then I'll hug her neck.
6 comments:
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing. The words to the song are very touching. What a wonderful legacy your Grandmother as left. I only saw her a few times but in those few time I could see and tell what a neat and special person she was.
What a sweet tribute to your grandma! I love hearing stories about grandparents because they all seem to have lived such full and interesting lives! Your grandma must have felt so lucky to have been surrounded by such a loving family!
Very sweet and touching. Its nice to hear all your good memories of her, and its so great that you are recording them for your girls and grandchildren.
What a sweet tribute about your grandma. It is great that you had a good relationship with her.
You made me cry yet again. BRAT. I'm so glad we have the gospel and we know we will be able to see grandma again. It was so nice to be around family. Love you
Love your post about your Grandma! Your Disney trip had my mouth open the whole time!! You are a trooper girl! Have not been on here in a long time! Your girls are getting so big! Love rachel's earrings..ha ha. So fun!! :)
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