My grandmother was a rockin' kind of lady, and she went home on Friday, February 15

My grandmother was a rockin' kind of lady.  She wasn't the typical grandma -- no knitting, canning or much cooking, really, unless you count dry roast (in the crock pot) and wicked delicious Thanksgiving stuffing.  She was a banker.  She loved to dance.  The only song on the piano she could play (to my recollection) was Minnie the Moocher.  We went to line dancing classes with her.  She went to water aerobics religiously.  She loved JC, and in a Southern Baptist culture, wasn't afraid to attend the edgy Assembly of God.  She didn't make the best choices in husbands.  But she loved her daughters and grandchildren fiercely.  She was proud of us, and we loved her.

She was Grandmommie, as we called her as kids.  It became Grams as we got older and weren't into "mommie" titles anymore.  Plus, who had time for a three syllable word when you're a kid asking for something.  As a young grandmother, I doubt she would have put up with "Grams," being a sophisticated kind of lady.  But as we got older, what could she do?  It did make shopping for cards difficult, as "Grandma" cards were off limits.  You don't find many "Grandmother" cards in the 99¢ section.  Nope, Grams loved those ridiculously expensive $4.99+ jobs.  Not being a believer in cards, because folks typically just throw them away (*looking at you, Mom*), I found myself resenting buying expensive cards.  But you know what Melody found when going through things in Grams' dresser this weekend?  Loads of cards that she'd kept.  She did enjoy receiving lovely cards.  And if they were one of those new ones with a recorded sound or song -- even better.

We lost our sweet Grams on Friday.  Friday, February 15, 2019.

Mildred Glover was 96 years old, and she lived a long, full life.  She was born and raised during the Great Depression and World War II.  Her parents were teachers and entrepreneurs.  They owned several grocery stores in Altus, OK.  Mildred Jean didn't lack for much in life, and grew up a spritely young woman, who was also independent.  We didn't talk much about an early marriage to her high school beau or her time in Jackson, MI, working in a factory while the men-folk were off at war.  But, I think that's pretty cool.  She wasn't away from Altus long, and began a career at the First National Bank there, eventually becoming Officer over CDs.  I think that's pretty cool, too.  Other grandmothers were canning beets (which is cool).  My grandmother was helping others with their finances (which is slightly cooler than beet canning).

Mildred was independent almost up to the very end, preferring to live in her own house.  She was not a perfect human by any means.  She leaves a lot of feelings to be worked through by her family.  But she was ours and she was loving + supportive, especially during hard family times.

We held a service for her yesterday, Monday, February 18, 2019.  It was a whirlwind to prepare.  But I think we did her justice, sending her off with love and style.  Plus, I learned that Melody (my marvy sister) and I are a pretty good team.  We get cranky, but we partner well and leverage each other's strengths.  That was fun to learn.  We became expert at fending off David's (my fab cousin) suggestions to include both Minnie the Moocher and the Cotton-Eyed Joe in the service.  While tempting, we didn't think our Moms or those attending would approved.  David, for your edification, we are celebrating both Minnie and Joe here.  This version of the Cotton-Eyed Joe was featured on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, which we grew up with.  David played the Red Nex version a lot this weekend, and Melody just loves it (yeah, not so much, especially when it's midnight and you're really tired).

A hidden blessing during the long weekend was working with my sister and seeing David and the kiddos.  I realized how much I miss seeing David and his family, and my, how quickly kids grow up.

At the service, one of the great-granddaughters shared a poem she wrote for Grams on the drive to Altus.  It was fabulous and she was bold.  David's kids are going to run the country one day, and we'll be lucky citizens.  I shared a few words from the grandkid's perspective.  Sweet memories of hot summer days at the Granite Waterslide, watching Grams' bathing suit cover up fly behind her as she shwooshed down the slide, through the curves.  Her fuzzy hair peeping over the side of the slide followed by the purple wings of her cover-up.  We giggled -- roll on the ground giggles.

Shopping for school clothes and starting the first day of school with confidence that we would look pretty dapper in our new duds.

Christmas.  Christmas was an event at Grams' house.  Gifts and eating.  So much eating.  Christmas Eve was buffet-style tasty goodness followed by hours of gift unwrapping.  Our family tradition is the child torture-method.  The one where each person opens a gift and everyone has to offer plenty of ooos and aaahhhs over it.  We go around the circle, each person opening one gift, repeating until all gifts have been unveiled.  It takes forever, and it's a kids worst nightmare.  The adults were relentless, and of course, it's one we enjoy carrying forward.  Grams was the Queen of Christmas and presided over the event perched on the Victorian sofa in the formal living room surrounded by mounds of presents.  Then we went to bed early -- which was not my favorite part -- because Santa.  Santa was very generous to us three kids, and there was much assembly that happened by Santa's elves to be ready for the early morning.  It's a wonder my family didn't drink more what with the Barbie condos that were erected in the span of a few hours.  Do you remember the number of decals involved in Barbie furnishings?!  Christmas morning was a dazzling display of loot, and I do mean loot, for each of us.  Arrayed in three pie-wedge sections.  Christmas was a brilliant affair, and I think the three of us were the luckiest children on the planet.  The feeling of Christmas morning is one I don't expect to ever be replicated, and is an uber special one for me.  Not because of the stuff, but because of the togetherness, love, effort and magical-ness our parents put into it.  And Grams was a big part of that.

I have a lot of great memories of Grams.  And some not so great ones, too.  But you know what was neat and also confusing?  The way her Caretakers and friends talked about her.  They Loved her.  Love with a capital L.  And from some of the stories they shared, she wasn't always nice.  Her selfish side showed itself frequently, especially as she began to be ill consistently.  And yet they were crazy about her.  They were generous and caring and spoiled her.  I'm grateful for them and their Love for her during the final days.  They are amazing women.

As I reflect back on Grams and these last few months, my heart is relieved that she's not suffering any longer.  It's relieved that she's been called home to hang with JC.  In spite of her foibles and her tenacious hold on life, she was a firm believer in Christ and at the end longed to finally meet him.  My heart is grateful for the vibrant woman that she was.  My heart is especially grateful for the gifts of my mom and aunt.  Grandmommie, we love you and we miss you.