Mother's Day Tribute Part 5: the Greats

I'm writing this series completely from memory.  In other words, my mom and family are only chiming in after they are written and published.  I'm trying to take a good look at what I remember from each person and really evaluate what I have learned from them. The next three women are together because I a. wasn't as close as I'd like to be to them or b. Didn't spend enough time because of their age and mine.

First, my great grandma Nola.  By the time I came along, she had already raised kids and grandkids, and it was her turn to be taken care of.  I remember spending time at her house while Mom helped watch her. She didn't like the smell of popcorn so we would eat it outside in her garage at night.  I distinctly remember the smell of bengay in her house but this could just be my imagination.  I didn't know her well personally.  I do know the people she raised and the stories they tell lead me to believe she was a tough cookie who kept her family in line and taught them the value of a hard day's work.  My PawPaw was her baby boy and the typical Mama's boy if there ever was one.  He built a house right next to hers and took care of her and his family together.  All the family tells me that Mom and PawPaw were just like her, so I'm going to interpret that as sharp, honest and hard working.  I do know she made our home what it is today.  We enjoy beautiful oak trees and the most wonderful piece of land in the world because of their dedication and hard work, and that's a legacy to pass on.

Next - Great Grandma Granny. No, I have no idea why she needed two titles.  I was not the first grandchild to come along so she was already named. I did have the pleasure of knowing her.  Everyone says I have her eyes.  My grandma, Mildred, could speak French and was local nobility.  She and my great-grandfather were some of the old rice farmers who made this area the rice capital of the US.  I remember going over to her house as a kid and admiring her doll collection.  She would slice apples for me and sprinkle them with salt while she made gumbo and talked to MawMaw.  My great grandfather died young, and I never met him.  But together they had 7 kids, who all had a couple of kids themselves, and are, to this day, one of the largest families in the area.  I have cousins I have never met and a family reunion looks more like a rally.  By the time I showed up, she was married to Leon, who would always call me "my girl" in his thick French accent and tell me all kinds of stories.  I treasure my heritage from that side of the family.  It gives me roots and culture and I love it.  I'm not one of the many Americans who don't know their cultural ties - I wear it proudly and remember Granny's grace and charm.

Finally, there is Nanny.  Nanny isn't my grandma, but she is the kids' great-grandma. Thankfully, she is still around and I have every intention of getting to know her.  This gal has some spunk.  I have never seen her down.  She is always cheery and wearing a grin.  She loves each of her grandchildren and dotes on them like a mother hen.  She, unfortunately, lives far away so we don't get to see her as often as we would like.  But I have seen the impact she has on her family.  She is a hard worker who likes to laugh.  She, too, has taken care of children and grandchildren, and has never slowed down.  I always enjoy her visits and cannot wait for her to meet Layan.  I know Matt loved her dearly and all of her grandchildren do.  Everyone who knows her, loves her.  And I like to think Layan has her cheery demeanor.