Granny Maude

Just so everyone knows, Granny Maude, Kathy's grandmother, is very near to death. Kathy was with her in Lynchburg over last weekend, and is already making plans to go back in the near future to honor her after her death, which is as imminent as it can be.

Way back before Kathy and I really started dating seriously, she took Phil (college friend) and I up to Lynchburg. We were interested to see Appomattox Court House, one of our several trips to various Civil War battlegrounds. We stayed with Granny Maude at the time, my first time to meet her, and boy she was a personal tour de force, a real joy to be around, and always so loving and kind.

Of course, truth be told, when Kathy told her later that she was engaged to me, Granny Maude assumed it was "that other boy" who had come to visit, so when she met me the next time, I think she was surprised. Pleasantly or not, we shall never know.

She loved her family, her church, and JC Penney, where she had a long career. Just last year, she bought Kathy and I linens for our new home with her Penney's discount. There is a pew at Quaker Memorial that has been smoothed by her presence and that of her family over the years.

One visit in particular I will never forget. I think it may have been cousin Jennifer's wedding. Kathy and I stayed with Granny Maude, and I learned two things during that stay. First, she served me the best summer breakfast I have ever come across. A piece of sourdough bread, buttered, topped with a slice of tomato, a basil leaf, then cheese, toasted in the oven until the bread toasts and the cheese melts. Next, the place to really enjoy such a breakfast was sitting at the table, right beside her bird feeder/window box. This box protruded into her dining room, and was constructed of a one-way mirror, so that birds would come into the box and not be disturbed by the close proximity of human beings.

There are certainly other stories to tell. Like, the first Christmas I spent with the Webb family. They are a crazy bunch who love to be together. I wonder what will happen when Granny Maude is gone. I remember losing one of my grandmothers; you think life will go on as it always has. But, I've seen those cousins maybe two or three times in the intervening fifteen years since her death. Granny Maude is certainly the glue for the Webbs; there is no substitute.

I pray Godspeed to you, Granny Maude. May death be peaceful for you, and bring you ever closer to the dreams God has for you and you have for God.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
   the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
   may God hold you in the palm of His hand.