First Church of God

So many of you have asked about my grandmother, Memommie.  I thought that I would give you a little update.  I am in Missouri right now, just taking a little time out to see my family and visit with Memommie.  She is still in the hospital.  Last night after we arrived in Missouri we went up to the hospital to see her.  My Aunt went in the room before us and told Memommie that she had a surprise for her.  Then she motioned for us to come in the room.  When she saw the boys she said, "Oh, boys you look so precious!"  Then she said, "And there is Cristie! (She has always called me Cristie!) You call me everyday!"  I had a hard time fighting back the tears.  She is in so much pain and so fragile right now, and yet she remembers her family, right down to every last great grandchild!  Trust me there are alot of us! There are even a few great-great-grandchildren!  In that moment as I sat in that hospital room looking at my Mom, my Dad, Aunt Damon, my sister, my niece, the boys, and Memommie I was reminded of the blessing found within family.  

The beginning of Memommie's story is one that reminds her family to cherish every moment together.  You see, Memommie was orphaned as a small child.  Both of her parents died when she was young, her Mom when she was three and her Dad when she was four. She then spent the rest of her life living with cousins and friends.  She was never really in one place for very long.  When she met and married my granddaddy she set out on a journey to make family a priority.  And she accomplished that!  Granddaddy was a business man in later years, and they always made sure to have a home big enough for the entire family to invade on a regular basis.  The dining room table would have given the "Walton's" table a run for its money.  ( For those of you too young to know who the Walton's are ask your parents! ) She always made enough food for an army, and Granddaddy stocked his pockets with juicy fruit chewing gum for all the kids!  I grew up understanding the importance of family because these two started teaching that lesson to their children and it spilled over to every generation that followed. 

I remember as a child, I was in the hospital with pneumonia.  Memommie and Granddaddy drove to the hospital everyday and came bearing goodies.  Granddaddy always brought me a Banana Milk Shake from Sonic, and Memommie always brought me something to eat! (Because that hospital food was probably not very good for me, and besides that it didn't taste at all like Memommie's cooking!)  There were moments like these all throughout my life that I could tell you about. As I look back now these are moments that have shaped the way I view family and the way I view life in general. 

Memommie may not be with us much longer, but the legacy she will  leave behind is one of love, the Lord, family, and  togetherness.  Looking into her face today reminded me to hold these moments as precious treasures.  Looking into her face today reminded me of the story of my family, and it is one that I intend to pass on for generations to come.