The One About Grandma Willie

It's been a rather sad week in our Halls. My husband's grandmother passed away. He and his sister had a ton of fond memories of her over the course of their lives- especially childhood- and I never tire of hearing their stories. To hear them tell it, she was the type of grandmother that genuinely enjoyed spending time with her grands. They were never a nuisance or she never got mad because they touched her stuff. Fiercely loyal and supportive of them, always lifting them up, and teaching them to always hold their heads up proud and never let anyone talk down to them. Cookie maker and card player, hugger and friend.  The type of grandmother we all want while growing up and want to be when we become grandparents. 

It's interesting, I'm better on paper than I am in person to tell you how I feel. It's nice to hide behind a screen and a keyboard so you won't hear my voice break or see tears. I won't know if you've rejected my message by clicking off the link or rolling your eyes. I like it like that. Sunshine and rainbows are my forte. So, I've been composing this blog in my brain since early Monday morning, upon first learning of her passing and thinking on her life. I didn't share with anyone. I didn't want them to laugh. My husband was invited to deliver part of the eulogy at the funeral. Wow. I'd totally be like, 'can't I write it and y'all read it on the car?'  But, he obliged. As we were driving home from the viewing, he asked me, "so, what do you think I should say at the funeral?" I gave him my best counselor answer, "what do you feel like you should say?"  As he began telling me what was in his heart, I got a little teary and started to giggle. I told him that I was laughing because he was quoting, almost verbatim, the blog that I had been composing in my head for 2 1/2 days. 

I tell this story to say, what a legacy left by Grandma Willie. My husband got up yesterday and spoke part of her eulogy like a champ. Not by his strength, mind you, but by Christ's. Two other individuals spoke before him and one followed him. They all said the exact same thing about Grandma Willie. Every one of them. Unplanned. Heck, none of them even knew one another. That, my friends, is a legacy. It wasn't that they all said the same thing that made it so awesome and inspiring, but it was what they said. The legacy of a selfless heart, a servants heart, was left by Grandma Willie. She didn't have much by the world's standards. She lived in an assisted living facility on a fixed income. She would give anyone - anyone - the shirt off of her back if they didn't have one. She sat with the ailing and the elderly - all the while, probably in pain herself, but never making it known. She gave up her time and sleep to give snacks and hydration to the local volunteer fire department. She coordinated fun activities for the residents at her assisted living facility, loving the residents and befriending them all. She never met a stranger. Numerous people told us that when they met her, she "took them under her wing". She was a fun loving spitfire. She could take you down in a game of Tonk and make you lose weight by making you cookies on the daily (just ask my husband - it's a true phenomena)!

She loved unconditionally and with a servants heart. Y'all know I struggle with not having a servant's heart. Christ calls us to love others and serve this way. Grandma Willie was a wonderful earthly example of those characteristics. I hope that I can learn from her and do her legacy proud by carrying it on to others. 

Thank you, grandma Willie, for accepting me into your family & for giving my husband and his mom and sister such a great foundation in the early years. You did good...These are some of the most helpful, serving people that I know. We will miss you here, but will see you again in heaven. We know you're up there helping Jesus organize something and passing out manna to the residents of heaven with a big smirk on your face :)