Nana and scattered memories
My Nana died in the early hours of Monday morning, April 30. Mom had flown out to Little Rock then gone on to Searcy during the day on Sunday. She was able to see her mom, be with family, and be present when Nana died. It all happened peacefully.
When Sister 1 and I were young, every two Summers the family made the drive from California to “Nana and Pappy’s”. (Who establishes that order anyway?) While Pappy loved his garden and crossword puzzles and crushed ice, Nana would can peas and other vegetables, fry us chicken and bake chocolate pies. She’d regularly slip us a quarter or two for brown derbies.
Whereas Pappy made sure you knew you were his favorite, Nana would tell us she loved all us grandchildren the same. Then she’d hold us tight and usually find us something good to eat. In fact, one Thanksgiving during a college break, she fixed a two pound ham for Pappy and me to eat AFTER Thanksgiving dinner. It took all afternoon and evening, but we ate it.
Some of the “earliest fish” I ever caught were with red worms she’d put on my hook. While the men were out fishing for bass, Nana’d row me out a little ways and I’d fish for brim, always pulling in a few.
I never lived near Nana, but I felt close to her. She died in the Lord, a woman of faith, covered by grace, which means she will live. And that’s not only comforting, but it’s true.
May 2nd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Thank (and praise) God for all the Nanas and Pappys of the world on whose shoulders we stand.
Full of grace and full of years; O Lord, let it me be someday.
Thanks, Mike. My grandparents were great people… Brady
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
What a sweet picture…and precious memories.
Love from us to you and your family.
Thanks, Sandra. Appreciate the prayers from all the church. And I’m so sorry to hear about Ken’s wife… Prayers for all…
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
A lovely, sweet tribute. We’ll be thinking of you and family in our prayers.
Thanks. Dad just caught his early flight out of Fresno. It will be good for him to be with my mom.
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I told your dad how glad I was to see him Sunday morning. It had been a long time. I asked where your mom was because I was really looking forward to seeing her too. He told me that she had gone to be with her mom while she died and he asked me with a smile to pray that it happened soon.
I think that one of the greatest things about the faith we share is the joy we feel when a loved one passes. Not that we don’t have our grief and sadness of course, but that the overwhelming emotion we feel is joy.
I look forward to meeting your Nana one day.
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I lost my grandmother in January and I know it is never easy to say good-bye to the ones you love. Nana sounded like a great person to know. I hope to meet her one day in God’s Kingdom. I hope you guys are doing alright.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I had the privilege of knowing your other grandmother and even speaking at her funeral. Did not have the same privilege with your Nana, but I’m sure she was no less as great a woman of love and faith. I’m sorry you have lost two grandmothers in less than a year. I’m so thankful you will see them again!! And you will be able to introduce us.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I’m so sorry about your loss. Our Grandparents should be our advocates and your “Nana” certainly seemed to be one for you and your entire family. May God see you through this time.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Steve, Blake, Greg and Cecil. We are comforted by your prayers for the family.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:57 am
You have my prayers for peace and comfort, as well. I’m so sorry for this loss. I can only imagine what you are feeling, as both my grandmothers died before I was born. I was 12 or 13 when both my grandfathers passed away. They were both old and sick, and that’s all I remember. To have wonderful memories such as you describe must be very precioius. I’m bowing my head in prayer for you and your family right now. God bless.