Grandparents' Day

Today is Grandparents' Day. I'm sure some card company dreamed it up as a way to sell more cards. (At least that is what Daddy would say.) Our church has a special breakfast on the morning of Grandparents' Day to honor all the grandparents - duh. So Daughter B represented the family yesterday as they set up, and JB and Daughter A went this morning to serve. The Wilkinson household fulfilled all obligations. That's what I was thinking while I was running through the grocery store at 7:30 this morning.

Then, as I sat in church with heavy eyes (this 6:45 am swim schedule is tough on me, and I'm not even swimming), I began to think about my grandmother, Mamaw. The brown/country one. Both of my grandmothers were called Mamaw. One was pink skinned and one was tan - hence, the brown Mamaw and the pink Mamaw. Then as I got older I got more politically correct and identified them by where they lived rather than skin color - town or country. The Country Mamaw was the one I spent the most time with. She and I always had an incredible connection. She could infuriate me or make me incredibly proud. I always knew she loved me, no matter what. When I began to think about her I realized that most of who I am is because of her. She taught me so much by simply being there for me to watch.

She taught me to put my family first, to support my husband no matter how crazy the venture, to treasure my independence and rely on God, that no matter how tired I might be I could always do a little bit more, to be demanding of myself and others - but be forgiving, that honest work is always honorable, that math is important, to laugh at myself, and how to drive. I could go on forever.

I keep a piece of her (her diamond pendant) around my neck all the time. I think about her daily. And even though some people thought she was a bitch, I hope I'm just like her when I grow up... I love you, Mamaw.