One day not too long ago Paul and I had the morning off, so we decided to go have breakfast together. We chose Cracker Barrel. If you’ve ever been to a Cracker Barrel you know there are those walls with glass in between two sets of lattice. Well we were sitting right next to one of these walls and I happened to look over to a man sitting alone wearing a plaid flannel shirt drinking coffee and meticulously cutting his sausage and eggs. I instantly thought of my granddaddy.
He always wore plaid shirts, whether they were flannel or not, and in the last few years of his life, he ate his eggs very meticulously cutting every bite with a knife and fork. I can say that I only witnessed this in the last few months of his life being that we were living in Louisiana up until five months before he passed away, so he could have been doing it his whole life and I just only took note of it at the end. Seeing this man in Cracker Barrel made me think of him. Sitting alone and eating his breakfast.
Granddaddy didn’t always sit alone at the kitchen table (that he made himself). My granny used to make him that breakfast and have it with him. They always held hands to say the blessing, and he always said the same one for as long as I can remember. It went something like this, “Lord, make us humbly and truly thankful for these and all other blessings. We ask in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.” Every single meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It was sweet to see that man sitting there, making me think a happy thought of my granddaddy.
Later that day I had to go grocery shopping. The second I walked in the store I saw an older woman who was wearing a floral print shirt. Her back was to me and she was at a checkout line. This lady made me think of my granny.
Granny wore floral prints all the time. She was a muumuu queen and had lots of them. I have to admit, I get it now. They are pretty practical and cool for knocking around the house in the Alabama heat and humidity. However, when she dressed up, she had several floral print dresses and blouses that she wore regularly, so I think florals were just her thing.
I couldn’t see either one of these strangers’ faces. I think that was on purpose, though. I’ve been thinking a lot about them lately, and seeing these particular pieces of clothing was a nice way of being reminded of them in a positive way. Out. In public. Doing things that they couldn’t do anymore at the end stage of their lives.
My granny had Alzheimers. My granddaddy had Dementia and cancer.
Granny went first. Granddaddy went about seven weeks later. They will forever be an inspiration for how a marriage can work and withstand all sorts of things. Hardships, blessings, unexpected curveballs life has a way of throwing at us. They conquered it all. I’m proud to be their granddaughter and hope I’m making them proud.
If you still have a grandparent in your life, give them a call or a visit no matter their mental state. Take note of the little things (the things they wear, the way they eat, the prayers they pray) that will one day, years after they’ve been gone, make you think of them. You’ll be glad you did.
Best one yet.
Thank you! That means a lot.
Well said Elizabeth. I thank God regularly for the wonderful memories that He allows and brings to mind. I appreciate that God makes them available. Keep up the good work and hold on to those precious thoughts of the past!
I agree. Such a delight to have them come to mind when they do.