"Mamma's Teaching Angels How To Sing" By The Isaacs (2010)

I think this song is so precious, and for those of you who haven't heard it, enjoy! If you have heard it, enjoy it again! I think Grandma was practicing teaching angels in the time she has been with us! I was at Mom's today and she asked if I had anything to say about all the bloggin' that was happenin', I guess she didn't expect me to be quiet. Seeing as I am HER daughter, I can see that! haha So here goes some of my thoughts lately. The past several months I've spent quite a bit of time at Mom's with Grandma. I've fed her and held her hand, sang to her and tucked her in. A lot of time has been watching her sleep, or rest her eyes as she would say! When you spend so much time looking at someone, a lot can go through your mind. I've wondered what she thinks about, and what she really sees, hears, and feels. I CAN tell you that she really loves a dumplin'! But then again I'm not sure if there's a one of us that doesn't! And I can tell you that she thinks its funny if somebody trips or makes a fat joke! Though she may have lost many things in the past months, memory and motor skills, her speech and appetite, she has maintained her sense of humor, maybe for our sake, or maybe because we just look so rediculous trying to make her smile. Anyway, I'm glad for it!

Of the years I spent making memories at Grandma and Grandpa's house, there are some memories that stand out more than others, and seem so fresh that they might never fade. At least that's what I hope for. I knew that every holiday I got to see all of my cousins, usually for a whole week. And Grandma was usually chasing one of us with a fly-swatter! We would be put in time-outs on the couches if we fought, but we would always try to talk across the room if Grandma was in the kitchen and we were normally laughing pretty quick at stupid faces we were making. Grandma would get onto us for talking but we couldn't help but laugh at each other. The fights never lasted long! Even when she didn't have a houseful, every trip to Grandma's house included a session at the ICE CRUSHER! Somebody had to say it, might as well be me. (Monica, I expect a reply to this post.) And Grandma threw the best slumber parties! She'd let us build "sheet forts" in the living room, bake cakes with the oven door down on our level so we could reach it, pull out the couch beds, make fresh popcorn and watch Disney movies. And she'd play the organ and we'd sing sometimes, and we always had devotions before going to bed, and bedtime prayers. There was one time Janet and I were arguing and Janet got sassy with Grandma. Well Grandma got the fly-swatter after her and was yelling at Janet not to sas. I was on the other side of the living room crying because Grandma had already swatted my legs, and I yelled "Grandma don't hit my sister!" I was highly upset and I guess Grandma just thought it was funny because she couldn't stop laughing at me! We still got put on separate couches.

I don't think I'll ever forget watching Grandma help Papaw skin squirrels! That's the only time I think I would describe Grandma as a scrappy little thing! Those squirrels were so tough it was like she was swinging from the opposite end trying to pull the skin off! But they sure made good gravy! haha

Some great games of haunted house were played in that basement! Everybody always knew where to find Colin though, he hid in the dryer! And the windows were always covered with blankets to make it spooky but you better believe that as soon as Grandma lifted that door to come down the steps, everybody came out from hiding and those blankets got ripped off the windows before she hit the bottom step! Y'all stop actin' surprised, you raised us!

I've stayed at people's houses, slept in hotels, had uncomfortable beds, and noisy neighbors. But there are very few places you sleep that you are actually happy before and while you're waking up. There was something about the sounds of the house, Grandma singing in the kitchen, Papaw sitting at his desk, and the smell of biscuits and gravy cooking that just made you feel happy and rested when you woke up. And if I close my eyes and think hard enough, I can smell breakfast and nothing else has ever matched THAT smell.

I know there are a lot of things I have forgotten over the years, but these are some of the memories I've revisited while watching Grandma sleep, or even when she looks at my face unable to respond when I tell her I love her. While I am going to miss her terribly, I can't help but rejoice knowing that soon she will see the Savior she has served so faithfully and be reunited with Papaw and her babies! And I'll probably think of her everyday as I have Papaw, but I'll see them again. And when I do, what a day, glorious day, that will be!