Saying a Temporary Good-bye to "GG"

We told you guys (the few that follow this little blog) that we had to reschedule our vacation because Wade's grandmother, better known as "GG" to my kids, was close to death. We are so glad we did not leave. She passed from this sin-sick world into the presence of her God last Thursday night around 11:15pm. We buried her yesterday in Memphis.

We were able to take the kids to see her and say our "good-byes" the Friday before she died. I went again to see her, but she became unresponsive. My mother-in-law really wanted to be there for her when she died.......just didn't want her to die alone, but God had plans for her to pass from this life to the next a couple of hours after Nancy left her side.

GG has come to mean a lot to me since marrying into this family 21 years ago this month. We would pass through Memphis and see her on our way to visit my family when my parents lived in Nashville. She lived downtown in a beautiful old home with a great wrap-around porch. It was an older home that had lots of different smaller rooms unlike our homes now that boast of a lot of open spaces.

Each time we would come through, GG would cook for us. She was well known for her "greasy burgers" mostly. Everyone on the family called them "greasy burgers" but no one told me that they didn't say it to her face. I did one day and, thankfully, she laughed. She made homemade pimento cheese (which I happen to love) and fried the best chicken in town! She cooked mostly in a cast iron skillet and a lot of it was friend. It was always so yummy!

She was a wonderful seamstress. Everytime we would come through, she would go through her stash and give me something. She knew I was just learning to sew, but wanted to encourage it. She was quite the giver. She loved serving her family.

About 11 years ago, GG had a heart attack. She came to live with Tom and Nancy after this health struggle. It was a sad day when her home had to be cleaned out and sold. BUT we so enjoyed having her out here with us! Because we live on property with my in-laws, we were able to see GG anytime we wanted to. My kids lived with a great-grandparent right there with them.

She taught me how to quilt, especially the cathedral window quilt. She was constantly moving, doing something. Even when she couldn't get around very much, she always had a handwork needle project in her hand. I have pillow cases that she made me and my kids have quilts. She made table runners, pillows, quilt tops....whatever Nancy gave her to work on, she did it until she couldn't see enough to do it anymore. All of her work was well done and looked beautiful! I love my pillow cases, especially now that she is gone.

We will miss GG, but I am not sad. Her health had moved her to a place of very poor quality of life. It was hard to see her in the fetal position and her body all drawn up. The last day I saw her, she was trying to say something to me and Wade, but we couldn't understand her. It was a very sad moment. I wanted to hear everything she had to say in those last days. I never heard GG say an unkind word about anyone. If she thought something unkind, she never let it slip from her lips. That is a trait I would like to imitate.

My great comfort is that I will see GG again one day. She will have a new body and will be singing and worshipping. She prayed often for my family and I will miss that. I am just so excited that she is seeing her Savior face to face and has no tears, no sadness at all.

Thank You, Lord, for the life of Ella Wese Grant. Thank You that I was able to know her and spend time with her. Thank You for her faith in You. Thank You for taking her to heaven to be with You.