G is for:

Granny. I couldn't possibly make it through the encyclopedia of me without an entry for Granny. To me and so many who knew her, she was Granny. Her mother didn't name here that, no her name was Iris. The older I get, the more amazed I am by the woman she was and all that she did. At 60, she did more in a day than I can do in a week. She owned her own business, a beauty shop. That's just what it was called, Iris' Beauty Shop. It wasn't a salon or a parlor. It was a typical beauty shop where ladies with their hair in rollers sat under dryers looking at magazines and talking loudly because they couldn't hear over the noise of the dryer. After raising her own two children, two difficult children, she raised her two grandchildren. My mother was addicted to drugs most of her adult life. Only now as a mother myself, do I realize what that must have been like for her. To live that many years with the heartache and pain and worry for her child. With all the difficulties she had to face in her life, she could very well have been angry or at the very least depressed. Those are the last two words you would ever use to describe her. She was the most full of love and life person I've ever known, a bubbly ball of energy who spread joy everywhere she went. As a teenager I was often embarrassed by her, and that saddens me now. The things that embarrassed me then, now fill my heart and bring tears to my eyes. Most of her clothes had holes, because she wouldn't buy anything for herself. The few clothes she had, she made for herself. She was at times loud and outspoken, not afraid to stand up for what she believed. She loved to laugh and she spent her whole life doing for others. She was an angel.

That's the beauty shop back there in the background. We're going to church here, I'm sure.

I'm sure I've said it here before, but I know that any good quality that exists in me, is there because of my Granny. I miss her so. I know there will never be anyone who will love me like she did, that special love between a grandmother and granddaughter. I'm so blessed to have had her in my life.

Comments

[Holly]

Your Granny would be proud of you! What a lovely post. You are blessed. I only pray that I can be just a little bit like your Granny and make such an impact on my kids and grandkids lives. ;o)

[kat]

That is the sweetest post ever!
Seriously, you brought tears to my eyes.
She sounds like the best granny ever.

[DML]

What a beautiful post. What a wonderful woman.

So glad to hear that you found your dogs safe and sound, too.

[Katherine]

What a blessing to have had the love and example your Granny gave you. No wonder you miss her. May we all try to face life with that kind of happy, energetic outlook.

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful heartfelt story.

[Melissa]

Your Granny was a beautiful lady.

[beki]

What a special lady! You are so blessed to have had her in your life. I, too, have been blessed with a wonderful grandmother sho stepped up to raise me.

[Anina]

What a lovely post. It sounds like your Granny was a formative influence in your life and she did a good job.

[southerngirlmusings]

Beautiful tribute to Granny and you are so blessed to have had her in your life and thanks for sharing a snippet with the rest of us.

[Sarah]

This was lovely.

I was raised by my grandmother because of my mother's mental health issues. She was so much more than my grandma, and like you, I feel like a lot of the good things in me came directly from her.

[Kristy]

What a beautiful post.I'm sure she's very proud of you too. xxx

[ellen kelley]

What a lovely remembrance. She was, indeed, a very special person and I am sure that you hold many of her qualities and specialness within you.

[ellen kelley]

What a lovely remembrance. She was, indeed, a very special person and I am sure that you hold many of her qualities and specialness within you.

[Beth]

That was a beautiful post and your grandma sound like a beautiful person! Thank you for sharing.

[Kristi]

That's beautiful, it's so nice that you have these photos to treasure and pass on.

[Mary]

What an incredibly sweet tribute to your Granny. It's obvious the influence she had on you -- and still does.

[Sandy@Reluctant Entertainers]

Wow, brought a tear to my eye to read about Granny and what a servant she was! And lover of life and people.
You were very fortunate!
Thanks for sharing this Autum! Sandy

[sheree]

What a sweet tribute to your Granny. She sounds like an amazing woman!!

[clara]

Just like to drop a line to say thanks for sharing about your granny.

[Stefani]

What a sweet and inspiring post! Thanks so much for sharing it. And don't be too hard on yourself for your teenage thoughts. It sounds like your Granny was a smart woman, who probably knew enough about teenagers to know that they lose their minds for a while, and then eventually come 'round again :-)

[Susana]

You made tears come to my eyes as I remember my granny exactly the same way you remember yours!

[Reem Aly]

Oh that was so sweet, I mean what u wrote about your grandmother & special she was.Your words touched my heart & tears were about to come out when u mentioned "Most of her clothes had holes,because she wouldn't buy anything for herself,because she wouldn't buy anything for herself" ...a very special person indeed.