Wednesday, March 29, 2017

BUT I FELT SAFE



Mama told me everything would be fine--about the water running down toward my little shoes, about Grama being with Jesus now. That Daddy was coming to help all of us. My daddy was a big man of about  6'3 and 235 lbs. His job was painting houses and building things. He was about a foot taller than Mama, and he had dark hair and hazel eyes. He was a good hugger to me!

 Soon he came along on our old car with my brother, and I remember raising up my arms and him scooping me up and squeezing me to his rough cheek..

Then Daddy told my brother to take me on home, and for us to wait there. Everything was a whirl of activity in the days following, visitors, food,  a wake, a funeral in the family cemetery just about 20 yards from Grama's house.  After that day Sister had come running to our house with her snuff brush sticking out of her mouth. After Mama and I walked up there when Daddy got in, and when I found out somehow, that some people you love die, and sometimes they wet the bed when they do. I never forgot that day.

 I felt safe the rest of that day, though. Safe --from the water running toward my feet, safe from very still, silent lady who looked just like my Grama  (yet didn't look at all like her),  from the confusion from the odd glances and hushed voices between Mama and Sister.

And from the water running -- running not just toward my shoes, but also down all our faces.

                                           
                                                           
Sister, Grama, Grandma
                             

                            May God bless us, and may we bless one another.

3 comments:

  1. The tears. Our family is different. We didn't see tears, but I could hear my own mama at night. For some reason, I've been the same way; having cried alone at night when I lost my dad, brother and grandson.

    Thank you for sharing this memory.
    And blessings to you.
    xoxo

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  2. Thank you, Sally. I always enjoy reading your blog-- it's filled with family memories. Memories that are in the past, and those you and your daughter, granddaughter and great grandkids are making today. Sally, you are a strong woman, trying to make life good for them. Bless you!

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  3. You are such a good writer! I love sharing memories with you. I've written a few in past posts if you'd like to read some of them. I'm going to be your new follower. ;)

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