Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House I Go

A few weeks ago I had a dream I was at my grandma's house looking for something. I was about to leave when I realized I needed to check under the bed. In the dream, I bent down, looked under the bed and as I was about to drag out a box, the dream ended. As I awoke, I had a strong feeling I needed to go to grandma's house. That day I called my aunt and uncle, who are living in my grandma's house, and asked them if I could come for a visit. They had actually just recently finished boxing everything of grandma's and were now ready for me to come go through things. When I told my mom about my dream she agreed that there must be something at grandma's that I'm supposed to find.

I drove to grandma's house this last Friday. I found many treasures. Cards, letters, hand written recipes, documents, old pictures and more. Most of these things I brought home to scan and or mail so that I can share them with family members. So, cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings etc., if you're interested, let me know!

Yesterday I picked a small box of newspaper clippings to go through. I expected it to be filled with articles about family members. I was surprised and delighted to find dozens of quilt patterns, clipped from newspapers from the 1930's.

This was especially exciting because my sister and I decided to keep a box of vintage material with the intention of making some quilts. Grandma used to make quilts for everyone so we thought it appropriate to continue the legacy.

The close up picture is of the material grandma used to make my baby blanket! Can you tell I was born in the 70's?

I also brought home 2 varieties of grandma's grapes. When I took a bite of the concord grapes I had a flashback of grandma making grape jelly in the kitchen. I could smell the grapes cooking and could see grandma stirring the sugar into the boiling pot. As we worked in the hot sun on Friday, it was refreshing and nostalgic to eat from the grapevine.

I think my favorite thing I brought home from grandma's is her clothesline. A few months ago I told my husband I wanted a clothesline. He was going to build one but then decided the clothes racks from Target were sufficient. Sufficient, yes, but not what I wanted. I was determined to figure out how to make the clothesline by myself. A day or 2 before I went to grandma's the thought came to my mind, "I wonder if there is a way I could get grandma's clothesline?!". On Friday I told my mom my idea. A few minutes later my cousin Darryl happened to show up and had the right tools. He cut the clothesline down for me and put it into my car!! I have fond memories of hanging out clothes with grandma. I'm going to teach my kids how to hang clothes just like my grandma taught me and I'm going to do it using my grandma's clothesline. She would be thrilled...I think she knows ;)

Tribute to Grandma

A year ago today my grandma, Reeva Ruth Richard Blake, passed away on her 92nd birthday at 9:04 pm in Eufaula, Oklahoma. She was surrounded by family. She waited for many of us to travel to her. We all took turns talking to her and hugging her. Though she couldn't talk with us, we know she could hear us. We all sang I'll Fly Away to her and Aunt Barbara even made a carrot cake - grandma's favorite. Margaret and Barbara went to great lengths to care for her and help her to feel more comfortable as her time here on earth was ending. We all know her spirit still lives and we saw her fly away home during the great lighting storm that broke out the moment she passed away. I just heard word from Jill that the sky is lighting up there again right now.

That night, while partaking in the storm, I lamented not having served my grandma more. She served all of us her whole life. Then the thought came to me: I can serve grandma by nurturing and serving my own family. I can love them and serve them and teach them. That's what she would want me to do for others. That's what she did for us. Fleeing our Egypts, through our wildernesses, we all took refuge at grandma's house to be fed and nurtured.

She nurtured and fed us physically - Biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, beans and cornbread, green beans and fried potatoes. Always something on the stove for visitors and family.

She hugged us. She kissed us. She bathed us. She combed our hair.

She nurtured and fed our spirits. She took us to church. She taught us of God's love. She taught us by example. She served us. She loved us.