Grandma

Welles never met his paternal grandmother. She was only alive for the first six months of Braxton's life, so he has no memory of her. Nathan was two when she passed away, and amazingly, he does have some memories of her. She kept him and Braxton at our house until she passed away. As a matter of fact, she was at my house keeping her boys during her last day here on this earth. I can't imagine that she would have rather been anywhere else. Nathan remembers her as the lady who brought him crackers and Mac bird. I know she remembers him as the grandson who reminded her so much of her own twin sons. She loved him so. She loved both of her grandsons, but I think Nathan had a special place in her heart as her first grandson, and one who looked so much like her own twins. She was a natural mother, and loved her three sons without reserve. Even before I grew up to date and later on marry one of those sons, I knew this family as a very close one. She was at every ball game that they played, and even after they were grown she remained a huge part of their lives, and they in hers. Her life fell apart on a dreadful August morning in 1999. Her worst nightmare came true when she lost her eldest son, Tony, and she never recovered. Three years later, she joined him.

Now, as a mother of three sons myself, I find myself understanding Mrs. Barbara more. I know the love that you only realize when you become a mother yourself. It is an indescribable love. I understand her constant worry, her deep unfaltering love for them, and even her warrines of all of the females who dared to steal their hearts. I am dreading the day when my sons bring lady friends home. Mama bear was coming out one day, and I was talking to Rick about how the girls today seem "looser" and more "eager" than I ever was, and I was telling him how they better not mess with my babies, and he said, "you know who you sound like, don't you?" Oh, Mrs. Barbara, you'd be so proud of me now. Save a game of rummy for me now, will ya? We'll have a toddy, and share stories about "those girls" as we pray that our boys only find one who loves them no matter what. That's what's important. Sleep tight rummy queen, and I'll do my best to take care of your boys til we see you again.