Friday, November 6, 2009

Nanny


Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray
the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take.


Dear Nanny,

I know you must have taught mom that prayer because she taught me. I've said it every day of my life and I still do.

I know you are with Jesus now and so I know you see my tears. When I woke up this morning, my heart was heavy and I was cold.



And when I opened the door to your great granddaughters room to wake her, I could not believe the white light streaming through the window. It was so bright that the entire window reflected beside her bed.



I felt the warmth of the sun on my cheeks and couldn't help but think that this is your first morning in heaven ! I felt your love surround me instantly. I had to get my camera because I never want to forget what that felt like. The memories...oh the memories. That is what the tears are for.

Thank YOU for the memories Nanny.

The story of how you met Grandpa at a dance...

how you went to a dance with someone else! and met Grandpa and it was love at first sight ... followed by 69 years of wedded bliss!!

when I think of you, I see you & Grandpa dancing. Always.

I love how you and Grandpa made me believe that true love does exist. Neither of you wanted to be without the other, ever.

I loved your house in Idaho. I loved that you collected those tiny white avon lipstick samples.

Did you know I tried on every shade ? I think you had a zillion.

I loved every single Lanz Nightgown you sent me for Christmas !

I loved that you listened to the Mystery Theatre on the radio. When I got my first radio I would tune into the mystery theatre really late at night when I was supposed to be sleeping and knew you were listening to the same episode !

I love blue cheese dressing because of you ! Remember you would take me to Smitty's for lunch ? You ordered a side salad with blue cheese (on the side!) every time !

Sees Candy- Oh how you loved See's Candy ! I loved going to the See's Candy Store with you. Peanut brittle was your favorite. And mine too !

Mints....you always had mints in your purse ! I've had more Altoids this last month than ever in my life... I've thought about you a lot...

Oh Nanny...I'm so glad I was able to call you on your birthday (92) and hear your voice. I know you remember me now, for God has restored your memory.

But mostly Nanny, mostly I am thankful for your gift of Faith. Thank you for teaching Mom about God and of faith. You taught her, Mom taught me, and I'm teaching my children. I truly would be lost without it.

So today I'm flooded with memories that I will carry in my heart forever. Thank you for your love.

And Grandpa will join you one perfect day and then you can dance in his arms..forever. and ever.


John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

I love you Nanny. Always. Forever. and ever. November 5, 2009

40 comments:

  1. Oh QUeen B my heart is oh so heavy today for she taught us so much.... our love for shopping....our faith... she's dancing for us and our families i just believe it,
    xo,
    LuLu

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  2. Your post was so beautiful and sweet - I'm sure your Nanny will love it.

    Lots of hugs and love...

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  3. What a beautiful post to your sweet Nanny, I am sorry for you loss, and hope you and your family are feeling embraced by prayers.

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  4. What a sweet tribute to your Grandmother! I am so sorry for your loss.

    Janet

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  5. What a sweet list of memories of Nanny. Between you, Anne and Lulu - I feel the sweet sorrow of her passing.

    I pray you find peace in all of the memories you have of her, and that you continue to celebrate her memories all the days of your life!

    xoxox

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  6. Queen B, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your Nanny. I cried as I read your post and my heart reached out to you.

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  7. What wonderful memories you have of your Nanny. You hang on to those in your times of sadness. My condolences.

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  8. Oh Queen B!
    Happy Pink Saturday sweetie. Oh how your post today touched my heart. I write this through tear stained eyes. How beautiful of a tribute to your Nanny. She would have been so proud. I felt so much the same way about my Grandma. I absolutely adored her and Grandaddy. They were the best, purest people you could ever ask for. I loved them so much.

    I had completely forgotten about the little lipstick until you said something. I can remember trying on my Grandma's too. We also tried on her shoes. What fun it was. Thank you for this precious memory.

    Please stop by and visit my blog to. I would be so honored to have you sign up to follow my blog.

    Many country hugs, Sherry

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  9. What a sweet list of memories.
    Hugs

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  10. What a touching tribute to Nanny, a true woman of God. Her children, and her children's children will rise up and bless her. I am looking forward to meeting her on the other shore. Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
    PINK Saturday Blessings ;-)

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  11. This post is exquisite. I adored my grandmother, too.

    I stopped by to see your first Pink Saturday post. I'll try to come by again later.

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  12. What a beautiful tribute;I can tell you really loved her. Wonderful memories; keep them alive for your children.
    Rita

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  13. Cute! Happy Pink Saturday!

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  14. Sweet and beautiful pink post .
    Happy Pink Saturday! Thanks so much for sharing and please come visit when you have a moment!
    Love from the Netherlands Rini

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  15. What a lovely post honoring your Grandmother. I am so sorry for your loss. Grandmothers are sooo special. I felt the same way when I lost my precious Grandma. May you find peace in knowing she left a wonderful legacy to you....love.
    (Absolutely love your blog)

    Hugs,
    Ginger

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  16. Hi it's me again. I just had to leave a comment on this post as well. My heart is heavy for your loss. Nanny sounds like she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. What amazing memories you have of her that you'll cherish forever. And what amazing gift she has left her entire family...Faith. Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful tribute.


    Blessings,
    ♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

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  17. What a truly beautiful post. I could not help but have tears....I am sorry for your loss but happy you have such a treasure of memories!
    Sweet Blessings,
    Jil

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  18. I am new to your blog but wanted to stop by to tell you what a beautiful tribute to your Nanny. I'm sure she is smiling in heaven.

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  19. Well I am now crying but crying with joy at the welcome party your precious Nanny had for her. What joys await those who believe. Thank you friend for a beautiful post. Hugs, Mollye

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  20. What a wonderful, touching post..such a tribute to a grandmother so truly loved. What a wonderful woman she must have been to have such a beautiful grandaughter
    so touched by her love. You have my prayers that your heart will be lifted and touched with healing..
    Blessings....I am so sorry for your loss.

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  21. Oh so very sweet and touching. I'm sure is smiling down on you. I said that very prayer for so many wonderful years.

    Jo

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  22. Poignant tribute ... my prayers are with you and yours in this time of loss.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  23. aahhh! Love this.. And the pcitures in the books bring back such memories!

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  24. Oh, dear friend! What a wonderful and personal part of your life you shared. I loved every word. I had a wonderful Nani too! I'm sure you were the delight of her life!
    Faith is the most precious thing you can give and get! Without it there is no hope. But with it an eternity beyond measure!
    As I write this through tear filled eyes, I am saying a prayer of thanks for you and this lovely tribute!
    Blessings,
    Yvonne

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  25. Oh my... Queen B! I have been out of the house all day and read your sweet comment on my blog. I went to visit you and meet you, my friend! Oh my heart is heavy for you and your family! It certainly sounds like a Nanny so special and sweet, precious to you as I am sure to your entire family! I am sorry for your loss and praising God for the fact that you know where she is and that she had a long and precious life! Love to you and my prayers will be with you!

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  26. I loved your post. I am so sorry about your Nanny. I have been to your blog many time and absolutely love it. Your chili is still on my to make list!! Happy Pink Saturday. I'm happy to see you here!

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  27. Such a beautiful post and loving tribute to your grandmother. I could feel your love for her in every word. Vicki

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  28. What a sad and lovely post! I'm with you! I also want to thank you so much for stopping by on Pink Saturday!
    Warm autumn-regards from Austria, Traude

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  29. Your beautiful tribute brought tears to my eyes and my own mind was flooded with memories ,and reminded me of my own loss, so impossible to describe even after thirty years. I hope that all of your memories makes your heart lighter, because nothing can ever fill the void.

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  30. Thank you so much for this post. I cried reading it and was so touched over your memories. Thank you for a reminder of my list that I have for my grandmother who I miss dearly. I'm so sorry for your loss Queen B.

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  31. what a beautiful post! What a lovely lady! I'm so sorry for your loss. But it sounds like she left behind a beautiful heritage!

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  32. What sweet sweet sentiments.
    How blessed you are to have shared life with your Nanny for 92 years...and to be left behind with such dear memories. I bet all of your Nanny's purses had the smell of mint.
    My Mamaw always had JuicyFruit gum in her black patten leather purses. All of her purses smelled like JuicyFruit...oh how that sweet smell can bring her back to me. For her funeral...I wrapped packets of JuicyFruit in white tulle with big white bows...for everyone to have.
    Love to you and thoughts of heaven!

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  33. It's a beautiful post to your granmother , iam sorry for your loss.FRIENDLY CATHERINE

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  34. I am so sorry you lost your sweet Grandmother "Nanny". She sounds precious. This tribute to her is beautiful and I know she is smiling down from heaven and sending you sweet love.

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  35. Beautiful post Queen B. Thinking of you!

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  36. My older sis just wrote to me this week about remembering my Mom dancing. She passed away 9 yrs. ago now at age 90. I hope my Grandchildren will remember us as you do your Nanny. Beautiful sentiments! ♥Kerrie

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  37. very touching post. your nanny sounds like she was an angel on earth.

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  38. Hi, Queen B. I am sorry for your loss and glad you have such a wonderful Nanny. I have a Nana. :) I had forgotten all about those mini lipsticks but remember them now thanks to you and your Nanny. Her first morning in heaven...what a beautiful phrase...
    Thank you for sharing this loving post.

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  39. Oh how special our Nanny's are! What would the world be without their unconditional love! I love my Granny! I miss her so! All the Nanny's and Granny's are dancing in heaven!
    Mama Holli

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