Memaw

My grandmother died a few days ago. My mom’s mom passed away in East Texas. She just had a birthday a matter of days before her death; she was in her mid-80s. Her funeral is tomorrow (Monday) in Hobbs, NM.

Just hours after I heard, I called my mom and spoke to her for quite some time. She was doing ok, but it never is an easy thing. And for me, it isn’t easy being 10,000 miles away from family at a time like this. I wish I could be there to hug my mom.

Within minutes after calling my mom, I called my granddad (pawpaw is what we call him). He couldn’t even speak to me the first few moments of the call. I could hear clearly through the receiver how tough a time he was having. His wife of 65 years was gone. Can you imagine how incredible it must be to live with someone for 65 years and then in the twinkle of an eye, they’re gone? I can’t. I wish I could be there to hug my pawpaw.

I told them both the same thing though: just think of memaw (that is what we called her. She always called me “Oscar” if I called her grandma!). Think of memaw right now. As difficult as this may be for those of us still here on this planet, she is laughing and running around in heaven, giddy like a young girl again. Yes, she is in heaven, of that I have no doubt. For her, there is no more pain, no more loss of memory (she was suffering from Alzheimer’s), no more sadness. She is just beginning, a new beginning; one that will last forevermore.

I will miss her, but I’m happy to have had lots of good time with her. Before we moved to Africa, I used to relish her incredible sandwiches every Monday (I love Fritos with a crispy lettuce sandwich!). For nearly eight years, I had the privilege to work near memaw and pawpaw and would stop in for lunch every chance I got. Every Monday, I ate lunch with them and if I stayed long enough, I even got a bowl of beans and cornbread for dinner (Mondays were always bean day at memaw’s!). I spoke to her a couple of months ago on the phone. I'm not sure she knew who I was, but I like to think she did.

I could go on and on and on with my memories. I could sit here and type out a long page expressing how deeply she will be missed by me and my family. I could tell you how incredibly difficult it is NOT to be there now with my family to comfort those who are still living. But I would rather think about memaw right now. I’d rather think about how much fun she must be having and the smile that I know is on her face.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” Memaw, enjoy your crown and I’ll see you again soon.

jaime (oscar)