Wednesday, January 9, 2008

My Gramma is Cool

We just got back from Billings. Ed's Gramma's graveside gathering was today. Ed's mom asked Ed to give a little talk. The following is what he said. I (and everyone else there - it was all family) thought it was neat to see how Ed felt about his Gramma. Here is what he said:

My gramma tells a story of when John Dillinger was shot on the streets of Chicago and how the ladies came out and dipped their handkerchiefs in the blood. She doesn’t tell the story because she read it in a book, she tells the story because she was in Chicago when it happened. My gramma is cool.
My gramma is cool because she had a dad who was a police officer in Chicago and was known as honest Johnson because he wouldn’t take a bribe.
My gramma is cool because she was the Park Lady, and when the little boy fell down and got bubble gum stuck in his hair, she thought his brains were coming out.
My gramma is cool because I made a clay bowl for her thirty years ago, and it sat on her dresser until the day she moved from 1819 Belvedere dr.
My gramma is cool because her house was full of momentos from most all of us.
My gramma is cool because she would let me have chili for breakfast.
My gramma is cool because she would make a tent for me to sleep on the couch.
My gramma is cool because she would make popcorn for me before we watched Night Gallery on television.
My gramma is cool because she let me wash the baby doll in the bathroom sink, even though I am a boy, and even though dad didn’t want his son playing with dolls.
My gramma is cool even though she talks through all the movies.
My gramma is cool because you’re all full of canal water
When my friends and I would come to Billings on the weekend, we would always stop to see my gramma, because she was cool.
My gramma is cool because we always need to eat slow, not because it is a nice saying but because we were spending time around the table as a family.
My gramma is cool because she raised four children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
My gramma is cool because she can have a conversation with anyone, not because she has a motive or agenda, because she genuinely cares about that person.
My gramma is cool because she doesn’t care about things for herself; she only cares about the well being and happiness of those around her.
I will remember my gramma when I read Psalms 23, because it is here favorite passage of scripture.
The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I will remember and try to follow the example of my gramma, because of her selflessness and her caring for others.
That’s what makes her cool.

2 comments:

Sydni said...

She sounds like a beautiful lady who will be missed greatly.

JeremyNSunny said...

I wish I'd known her! Ed's graveside words were/are beautiful.