A Gentle Soul
My grandchildren call me "Nana".
There was only ONE real Grandma.
We buried her many years ago.
That name we called her still rings with awe.
How could someone with so little have such joy?
She bubbled and always wore a smile.
A murderer could walk in off the street...
She'd welcome him with open arms for a while.
Grandma, with her work-roughened hands,
wore the same hair style all my life.
Grandma, raising six healthy kids,
hard-working farm woman and loving wife.
Her print dresses were made from pressed feed sacks
that zipped right straight up the back,
Her long life was laced with heartache,
and she was never a stranger to lack.
"I'm so glad you came to see me!
Come in! Come in!" she'd say.
"Would you like a piece of coconut cake?
I just baked it fresh today!"
I don't remember a single time in my life
That I heard my Grandma swear.
There was just no ugly inside her,
only love and concern and care.
Every time I went to see her, she said,
"Won't you come to see me sometime?"
I'd think, "I'm here, Grandma. See me?"
Occasionally, on my nerves it would grind.
But I never said a word about it,
and I thank God now that it's true.
You see, today I understand what she meant,
because this Nana gets lonely sometimes too.
My Grandma was a REAL lady.
She wouldn't even hang her panties out to dry.
She was embarrassed some stranger would see them,
if a car should happen to pass by.
She never said the word "pregnant".
It was, "Someone swallowed a watermelon seed."
She didn't want a child to hear such things.
"Little pictures have big ears." Yes, indeed.
On holidays and special times I miss her,
or days when I'm sitting all alone.
I'll think, "I wish I could talk to Grandma."
But you know what? She never even had a telephone.
No luxuries we all think as necessary.
No AC, compact discs or microwave...
Just an old a. m. radio, and a black and white TV,
and never lived on a road that was paved.
She's the only person I ever met in my life
who never once got upset at me.
That's because love she gave to everyone of us
was genuine, It was unconditional and it was free.
If I'm listening to the radio when I'm driving,
I'll cry when Beulah Land is played.
I can still hear her saying, "Oh, I thank God for
everything he has done for me, Lord yes I'm saved!"
I feel sorry for today's children,
who have MeeMaws, and Nana's and some such.
They'll never once know how precious it is
to feel the rough hands of a Grandma's touch.
Author's Notes/Comments:
In loving memory of Mrs. Fannie Cook of Heard County, Georgia...Texas community northwest of Franklin. She lives in our hearts.
Oh Loretta:
This was absolutely beautiful. You have such a way of writing and bring out all little things that bring back
so many memories. My Grandmother was so much like her.
I am so touched by not only your poetry but your art as well. You are so talented. I read several of your poems and looked at the art. God sure gave you a wonderful
gift. Use it well God bless.
I have to stop reading now I can't read through tears.
Love and prayers
Gilda / Coffee2
This is just so sweet. I am a grandmother and that is what my grandkids call me. "Grandmother"....the formal name. The others were taken by other relatives and that is what my grandson chose to call me from the time he could talk. It most definitely does not fit me! I am probably totally opposite of this wonderful woman you wrote about here. I seldom bake, I hang ANYthing out to dry (LOL) when it needs it, and I do swear. I just hope that I can at least match her in the love department.
This is a wonderful tribute. She is looking down on you with love and pride.
Kris
Very nice, Jessica.
kat
Jessica, this is a wonderful and touching poem. I enjoy checking into your site every now and then and I have wanted to express to you how really special your site is. The artwork adds a lot and I'm glad you have your own paintings on display.
On a personal note, after 10 months without work, I was finally hired April 1st by Wal-Mart to work in the Garden Center. Since that has slowed WAY down, I am starting on over nights tomorrow night at 10pm and will work til 6:30am.
Again, congratulations on such a great site.
Your flawed, but forgiven, brother-in-Christ, Michael
Hello, and thank you for writing this beautiful poem, so true, and a wonderful tribute to a wonderful memory, of a dear Lady. You show your own true reflections in this work.David.L.
Oh! Jessica I am sure you are as pretty as your Grandma. Your poetry is so touching and affectionate. I admire your mind that you could convey the right feeling for people like us to appreciate. Thank you for the wonderful pleasures of life. You have done justice through this tribute. Losing Grandma which one has to is like losing treasure to treasure in memories and through a tribute.