Grandma...

Currently drinking: what else? coffee.
Currently listening: Volume One by Ivory Layne



"Let's just be real. Edith was known around these parts as a methodical, maniacal, cold-blooded killer.... of snakes. Rattlesnakes in particular."

So began the celebratory eulogy of my grandmother who moved to heaven at the beginning of this month.

Delphia Edith Kissee Withers Whitaker... aka, Shorty.

She made her dash for the Kingdom's border in classic fashion, at the conclusion of a community party. This was wonderfully typical. Her hair, make-up, nails, and frock had all been perfectly styled. The conditions were perfect...

In her 91 years, she experienced a lasting relationship with the Lord, true love, becoming a widow and single mother at a young age, remarriage, and seasons of change with consistency and tenacity. For me in particular, she was a great provider of ice-cream, dress-up clothing and jewelry, fresh kumquats, and science picture books. She also had every plastic container known to man. It is her chicken and dumpling recipe that my girls love and the gown she wore to Nixon's inauguration ball that they play dress-up with themselves. And, she could yodel. Yes. Yodel.

Grandma was always quick to tell me that she thought I was a good mother and wife.

Prayer was important to her. Health was important to her. Having the perfect pair of shoes was important to her. She was such a cute little thing, and I had her beat by a whole inch.