Celebrating Grandma Viola

I am so happy to have known each of my grandmothers for as long as I did. Grandma Ola was the one we had the priveledge of having with us the longest. One word to describe her? SWEETNESS. She loved violets, Heaven Scent perfume, was an excellent cook and so kind and a good Christian woman. What a reunion it must have been in Heaven the day she arrived to see Grandpa. They were married just over fifty years before he went home to the Lord. She was never quite the same without him. It was an honor to have a loving example such as them when it come to marriage. Today I celebrate Dear Grandma Viola Nancy who deserves more than one day on here ;)

Celebrating Grandma Carrie

I have a sad memory of Grandma CArrie. When I was only four years old I attended my first funeral and it was hers :( I remember that we were given cookies and I also remember walking up and seing her and learning then that she had lost a leg. What a horrible way to remember a great grandmother who was indeed a GREAT grandmother. From the stories I heard she was loving and generous and had a nice, warm bed that she would put stones into for heat and that she could cook the best fried potatoes on Earth. Now that is the way to be remembered! How sad that she passed away before I could learn more about her Native American history. I also have heard many times that she asked about me and my twin sister wanting to know how we were doing since the nursing home she lived in would not allow us there. What a tragedy! I celebrate you today Grandma Carrie! How I wish I had not been kept from you so that my memories would be happier ones.

Celebrating Grandma Mertie

Another one of my grandmothers was very special in that she raised ten children. In today's time that is not even heard of so much is it? She did it though. Grandma Mertie was not a wealthy woman by any means but she gave what she had. I remember that she had long hair and would pay me and my twin sister 10¢ to brush her hair once she let it down. She had a drawer full of brushes and it was like we were beauticians! The other memory I have so prominently was how much she loved the song sung by John Denver called "Country Roads. She would actually have us sing that to her. She must have missed those mountains after she moved down the central part of VA, but she did so to help her epileptic son and gave up that home she had known for so long. They are pictured here sitting together on the far left. Here is to you Grandma, I celebrate you today!

Celebrating Aunt Christine-PLEASE READ

This is a sad story but one I have written several times because there is a lesson in tragedy. Aunt Christine was married with 5 children when an altercation took place and tragically she was killed by her husband. Ladies, although I was only a small child when her life was taken I felt the need to send her story out and have many times to plead with women who are involved in hurful relationships. This should have been a good story for a woman who was beautiful, a gorgeous woman in fact. She should have been here to be with her young children but because alcohol, guns and abuse do not mix her life was taken at a time that it never should have been. What a loss to this family. If you know of someone who is in a bad relationship please help. Do not stand by and wonder. Make changes. You may be the only voice your friend has. When I hear the song by Stevie Wonder and Babyface it makes me think of Aunt Christine and how terribly sad it was that her life ended in such a way and so early. Please see the words to this song and remember my words so that in case you are ever wondering, you will then reach out to help someone who may be looking for a lifeline. I celebrate you today Aunt Christine!

There was a girl I used to know
She was oh so beautiful
But she's not here anymore
She had a college degree
Smart as anyone could be
She had so much to live for
But she fell in love
With the wrong kinda man
He abused her love and treated her so bad
There was not enough education in her world
That could save the life of this little girl

How come, how long
It's not right, it's so wrong
Do we let it just go on
Turn our backs and carry on
Wake up, for it's too late
Right now, we can't wait
She won't have a second try
Open up your hearts
As well as your eyes

She tried to give a cry for help
She even blamed things on herself
But no one came to her aid
Nothing was wrong as far as we could tell
That's what we'd like to tell ourselves
But no, it wasn't that way
So she fell in love
With the wrong kinda man
And she paid with her life
For loving that man
So we cannot ignore,
We must look for the signs
And maybe next time we might save
somebody's life

How come, how long
It's not right, it's so wrong
Do we let it just go on
Turn our backs and carry on
Wake up, for it's too late
Right now, we can't wait
She won't have a second try
Open up your hearts
As well as your eyes

I on occasion met that guy
It's been a feeling deep inside
Some ... wasn't right
The way he proves himself a man
By beating his woman with his hands
Oh I wish that she'd seen the light
How can someone like that call himself a man
He's not a man
Soon reality ...
And we cannot ignore
Whenever we see the signs
'Cause any kind of abuse
God knows, it's a crime

How come, how long
It's not right, it's so wrong
Do we let it just go on
Turn our backs and carry on
Wake up, for it's too late
Right now, we can't wait
She won't have a second try
Open up your hearts
As well as your eyes

Celebrating Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole is my second cousin and the daughter of my "favorite cousin" Kirk who sadly lost his life nearly two years ago at the young age of 39. This girl here was the gleam in her daddy's eye. This beautiful picture was taken the day of Kirk's funeral :( but she was beaming from the sunlight shining on her face and hair. I would like to think it was her daddy letting her know that he had made it home to be with God. She sang the most beautiful version of Martina McBride's song "Broken Wing" at his service all because he liked to hear her sing it. When I hear that song it never feels the same as it did before that day. I celebrate you for the woman you are becoming Niki. Your daddy would be so proud of you!

Celebrating Nation Women's History Month

These are the ladies who have made impacts on our lives. We valued each of them for how they have contributed to our lives.
disabling the slideshow since it is slowing down the blog :(