A simply incredible life

I've spent as much time as possible in the last week reflecting on the life of my Mamaw. At the amazing age of 98 years, 8 months, and 5 days she left her earthly body last Sunday afternoon. I have come to realize that her life was simply incredible. 

 She lived the vast majority of those 98+ years in 2 houses within easy walking distance of each other (like you can see one from the other) - separated by just a small cow pasture, barn, and cattle lot (a fenced area to gather cattle for various purposes, for you non-country folk) - in the tiny town of Locust Grove, Arkansas. 

She didn't have a cell phone, let alone a "smart" one. She watched maybe an hour and a half of TV per day, unless the Razorbacks were playing basketball or there was a country music special. Her house had all the modern conveniences of when it was built in the late 1960s, but there were more dishes washed in the sink than the machine. Who could blame her with this view? 

 When I was young, she had no less than 4 gardens every year and grew THE BEST tomatoes you've ever tasted. Her basement was full of canned veggies and potatoes. Oh, and there was a pool table down there that I'm not sure she ever played on, but us grandkids played many a game on it.

 She didn't travel much. She and my Papaw lived briefly in Pennsylvania in the early 1940s, and she went with him to Houston in 1973 for his heart surgery. She visited her sisters in Mobile, AL; Memphis, TN; and Ft. Smith, AR, occasionally. There were also brief visits to grandkids' homes, mostly for holidays or special occasions, in Arlington, TN; Lonoke, AR; and northwest Arkansas. There were no big vacations, but she enjoyed a few weekend trips to Branson, MO, with family. 

 In her 98 years she knew heartache and loss. Her middle child was born disabled thanks to a bout of German measles during her pregnancy and passed away in 1973. She also lost her parents, her husband of 57 years, all of her siblings, and most of her friends. 

 Although she never finished so much as middle school, both of her surviving children and all 4 grandchildren have college degrees. She helped Papaw run a store, worked at the post office, and owned land and cattle. 

 She was rarely sick. Even in her latter years, her biggest struggle was simple infections. I think her only regular prescription was for high blood pressure, and I'm not even sure she took it with any real regularity. 

I won't say she never complained or made it easy on every one around her because that would be a lie. She was a stubborn and often difficult woman to please. I am saying that hers was not a life of fancy places and things. It was incredible because it was so simple. In this day and age of always wanting bigger and better, she was content with staying where she was and having what she needed. I'm sure there is a lesson there for all of us - to slow down, enjoy what we have, and quit trying to keep up with everyone else. 

 I will always remember a few things about my Mamaw. She loved pink for everything (clothes, flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, etc). She rarely went to bed without putting Vicks Vapo-Rub under and in her nose (it might be an EWWW, but it's true). She adored pockets on shirts and compared helpful people to them ("you're as handy as a pocket on a shirt"). She always had a tissue with her (stuffed in her sleeve if no pocket was handy). She could grow anything (and I've promised my dad to not let Rylee forget). She never served cake or pie (and never a small piece) without offering some ice cream to go with it. 

 Although, I really wasn't very close to her, I have a TON of memories to share with my children over the coming years. She may not have been a "let's bake cookies" kind of grandma, but she was the only grandparent I've had for the last 30 years. I really thought she would live to 100 and beyond, and I will forever be grateful for that last visit I had with her in September. 

 Mamaw, I pray that you have found peace and reunited with all those who have gone before you. Tell Papaw and Eunie and Leone and Vette that I miss them.