Grandmommie did all things well

Douglas and I said goodbye to his mother, Margaret Ann Warren Williams, this past weekend. Grandmommie, as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren and children alike, was born May 14, 1916, and passed away January 12, 2011, at the age of 94 years. Family members came from far and near to pay their final respects to this dearly loved, Godly woman.

I requested a family picture be made and everyone graciously obliged me. Even with the large number present there were eight family members unable to attend. Don, Grandmommie's oldest son, was in the hospital in Nashville. Jessica Dragonetti, granddaughter, is teaching in Turkey on a Fulbright Scholarship. Wyatt Williams, grandson, is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Washington State. His wife, Julie, and son Fischer, are with him. Melissa, Jill and Jeffrey Davidson, family of Jeffrey Davidson, were unable to come. Looking over the picture we think of a few who were not in the picture for some reason. This was made right before we said our final goodbyes to Grandmommie and went into the chapel for her service.

The outpouring of love from family and friends was wonderful. The McMinnville Funeral Home couldn't have been nicer. Grandmommie's visitation began with

the family at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, and lasted until 8:00 p.m. The

funeral home in McMinnville, TN allows people to bring food so the family can eat at any time. It seemed from the very beginning people started to bring food and it continued until right before the actual service on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Being from the deep South, I wasn't accustomed to this practice but found it very nice and thoughtful. Different people obviously were assigned the duty of keeping a check on the food and putting it away when needed. One might think this would require a large room, but it did not. An island in the center held some food and shelves on the walls held other food and paper items. I wish I had made a picture of the food, but did not. How do you thank people for kindnesses such as this?

The grandchildren were pallbearers. No doubt it will

be a long time before this group of first cousins will

be together again. Left to right: Mark Williams, Jeffrey

Davidson, Wesley Williams, David Williams, Jonathan

Davidson, Warren Williams, James Nokes, Jay Davidson,

Michael Gary and Art Williams.

The service was conducted by Lynwood Mathis, a beloved

family friend and Jerry Davidson, son-in-law. Congregational songs were led by Mark and Art Williams, grandsons. David Williams, grandson, read Revelation 21:1-5 and Michael Gary, grandson, read a beautiful poem as a tribute. Douglas Williams, oldest child present and my husband, felt compelled to share some thoughts and did so at the end of the beautiful service. Brandon Potter, great-grand-son-in-law, videotaped the service. Art Williams recorded the audio.

Snow was on the ground as the family walked to the graveside service. Grandmommie loved the beautiful snow and would have approved of everything about her service. She has done all things well. Even though our hearts are breaking because of our loss, we rejoice in knowing that as David of long ago said, "I can't bring my son back, but I can go to him." We look forward to being reunited one sweet day.

I was the first daughter-in-law in the family. I have loved Doug's mother for many years. I will say once more that I couldn't have looked the world over and found a more wonderful husband or mother-in-law. God has blessed me richly and I thank Him.

The greatest gift daddy ever gave mother

‘Tis the season to be jolly and a beautiful season it is. It is the season of gift-giving. My thoughts go back through the years to the gift that Daddy gave mother unknowingly.

I was the youngest of three children. Being seven years younger than my youngest brother gave me time at home as if I were an only child. My daddy had a problem with drinking and wasn’t interested in spiritual things, or at least as far as I could tell. But mother kept the home fires burning and taught us the Bible way.

Mother didn’t drive. She promised me when I turned sixteen and got my driver’s license she would buy us a car and I could drive us to church, as she called it. We looked forward to that time. I passed the test the first time and got my license. Mother kept her promise and bought us a 1956 Chevrolet that was turquoise and white. Mother and I started going to worship. Mother was re-baptized to make sure of her baptism. At the age of eleven she had given in to a group of friends who begged her to come on and be baptized with them. Daddy wasn’t interested in going to church with us, but then Daddy got sick.

Daddy was hospitalized for several days and I had an idea. I made an appointment to talk with his doctor. After being seated in front of Dr. Cooper’s desk, I told him who I was and that my daddy was his patient in the hospital. He nodded his head. I said, “Dr. Cooper, I wouldn’t ask you to lie for anything in the world. My daddy has drunk all my life, and if you could tell him something that would scare him into quitting his drinking, you would make our house a home.” I don’t recall Dr. Cooper doing any more than listening, but I left there with a hopeful heart.

Later in the week daddy was dismissed from the hospital. Before I left for work one morning he commented that he had wanted to talk to “that little preacher” but never got to. Raymond Elliott, preacher at the local church, had visited daddy regularly in the hospital. Raymond called me at work that morning to see how daddy was doing. He came to visit him that afternoon. As the three of us sat in the living room visiting, I was afraid to mention what Daddy had said that morning, but I did it anyway. I asked daddy if he didn’t say he wanted to talk to the preacher. He said that he did. My heart was in my throat. I knew better than to make my daddy mad. Raymond ushered me out of the room immediately and closed the door so they could talk privately.

The next Sunday was a beautiful day. Douglas was visiting me from Alabama Christian College and daddy asked if he could go to church with us. He and mother sat toward the back in the middle section of the building. Doug and I sat nearer the front. My heart was overflowing with joy and I know mother’s was also. During the invitation song I noticed movement to my left. I can still see my daddy walking down the aisle toward Brother Elliott. He confessed having lived in sin for thirty years. I had lived 20 of those with him.

Daddy gave God his heart that Sunday morning, confessed his sins and laid his drinking, smoking and cursing down that day. He gave mother the best gift he could have ever given her. Daddy later became a deacon in the church and couldn’t understand why anyone would ever want to drink. Daddy and mother attended the services of the church every time the doors were open and they were physically able to go. He loved dressing in the suits mother bought him, and wore them all day on Sunday. Mother wanted him to change his clothes and not get them dirty. Daddy died a faithful Christian at the age of 78 years. Mother looks forward to seeing him again one day.

The gift daddy gave mother was priceless and is treasured still.

Weigh-In Time

Being a member of Weight Watchers, I constantly have "Weigh-in" time on my mind. For those who may not know, weigh-in is when we get to WW, find the card with all our information on it, take it to clerk and pay our weekly fee, take it to the instructor, step up on the scale and see how much weight we have lost, or gained, during the past week. It is the time we have to give account of how well, or badly, we have done with our eating habits during the past week. As the saying goes, we think about it morning, noon and night.

As Christians, I suggest we have a weigh-in time also: Each day we need to:

• Weigh-in our attitude - The Bible says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). We need to start our day on track with a good attitude. We should be thankful things are as well with us as they are.

• Weigh-in our job performance - Whether a homemaker, a retired person, or a person who works at a public job, we need to determine that today, whatever we have to do, we will do it as if we are working for the Lord. We are, you know. We should give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. 2 Thess. 3:10; Col. 3:17.

• Weigh-in our friends - We need to look at the people with whom we associate. Are they people who will encourage us and make us a better person? We need to associate with those who will help us go to Heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:33.

• Weigh-in the places we go. We need to question ourselves by asking if we would take Jesus with us everywhere we go. Would we be comfortable with Him walking beside us? He does, you know. Matthew 28:20; Isa. 41:10.

• Weigh-in our tongue - As Christians we should be people of few words. We should listen more than we speak. Our son, who is an educator, has an owl puppet that often tells the children, "I never learned a thing when I was speaking." We need to weigh-in the words we speak, to always speak those things becoming to a Christian. Filthy talk, or suggestive jesting, should never exit the mouth of a follower of Christ. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). Proverbs 23:7; James 1:19.

• Weigh-in our faith - We need to evaluate our life, our faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). God has a purpose for each one of us. He placed us here for a reason. There is something He wants us to do. Are we giving our lives to the Lord? Are we fulfilling His purpose in our life? Have we given ourself to the Lord by becoming a Christian?

• Weigh-in for eternity - The great "weigh-in" is coming when each of us will stand before God and give an account of our life. 2 Corinthians 5:10. We need to weigh-in daily by evaluating our day to see if it has been what the great Teacher would expect, or want us to do.

Nothing is more rewarding to the Weight Watchers member than to step on the scale to weigh-in and hear the words, "You did great!" Nothing will be more rewarding to the Christian than to weigh-in before the Great Judge and hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant....enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:23).

Lessons I Have Learned From the Elderly

I have been caregiver for my precious mother almost seven years. Since August 21, 2007, I have been caring for her full time. During the years we've been together I have learned a lot about the elderly, or at least enough that I feel the need to share it.

On Friday, June 11, 2010, my mother will be 99 years old. We have planned a birthday party for her at Ryan's Restaurant in Enterprise, AL at noon. The balloons and cake are ordered. We hope she will be able to enjoy the day with all the family members, and extended family, who plan to celebrate with her. She has outlived all 17 of her brothers and sisters.

I have learned....

...elderly hearts are tender hearts that need to be guarded with tender care.

...just because a person is elderly does not mean they are senile.

...elderly people love attention and genuine conversation.

...elderly people enjoy talking and hearing about day to day things; small, insignificant things to us often are very important to them. Eyes seem to sparkle when hearing things of interest, especially about family members.

...elderly people enjoy company, any age, any time.

...elderly people like gifts. Gifts don't have to be expensive gifts. A bag of candy, honey buns, an apple, socks, a card with money in it are always welcomed gifts. Wrapped gifts are even more special.

...elderly people like to be touched and hugged gently. Many bruise easily and a gentle pat or hug with a tender greeting is sufficient. Squeezing the arms is a "no-no."

...elderly people like to be sincerely complimented.

...elderly people appreciate help getting dressed.

...elderly people appreciate any help given them.

...elderly people enjoy watching and petting pets, but not necessarily taking care of them. Never give a pet as a gift without first asking if they would like to have it and you know they are physically able to care for it.

...elderly people enjoy small children, but often are afraid the children might hurt them in some way. Many elderly people bruise easily and a fresh bruise causes lasting pain.

...elderly people like to do things they did when they were active, like going to worship, shopping, etc., even if they have to be pushed in a wheelchair.

...elderly people liked to be asked their advice on subjects, or brought into conversations on subjects about things they used to do.

...elderly people like to feel needed.

...elderly people like to get out of the house and go for rides on a car, sight seeing. Seeing new growth, animals in fields, groups of pretty trees, new businesses, new roads or things happening outside the confines of their world is always enjoyable to them. Going for a simple ice cream cone is very special to them.

...elderly people enjoy being quiet.

...elderly people enjoy rest.

...elderly people don't like to feel they are in the way.

...elderly people don't like to be pushed aside by someone younger rushing ahead of them. An example is waiting in line to speak to the preacher after services when someone breaks line ahead of them.

...elderly people have tender feelings that need to be protected.

...elderly people need reassurance they are wanted and needed.

...elderly people want to be loved and accepted just the way they are at any given time.

...elderly people enjoy the security of home and being with those they love.

...elderly people always want to go home.

...elderly people always want to go see their mother and daddy. They never stop loving their parents, no matter how many years it has been since they departed this life.

...elderly people like for their rooms to be kept clean and the bed made.

...elderly people like to hear the words "I love you," "I am so proud of you," "I'm so glad you are with me," etc.

...elderly people like to be assured that we will know each other in heaven.

These are some of the things I have learned about the elderly in my years of caring for my precious mother. God has blessed me beyond measure in giving me the opportunity to care for her during the final years of her life. My prayer is that He will bless me with good health and life, that I may be able to continue caring for her as long as she lives.

Lala was a hit!

I did it. Well, I had a "little" help on the side. Lala stayed right with me and kept the audience in stitches when we performed recently at the ladies luncheon here in Geneva.

It seemed I only had to bring Lala out to start the room full of laughter. She nodded, laughed, and kept the room full of ladies laughing until we had to wait for the laughter to calm down so we could go on with our conversation.

We talked about Lala's pet, which is a dog named "Toto." I was concerned that she let her stay inside the house because of the smell. Lala assured me Toto would get used to it!

We talked about school and what Lala has learned in school. I asked if she could say her ABC's, and she did. Backward!!!!

We talked about things going on in school. Lala told me she just didn't think her going to school was going to work out. I asked why, and she said she and Mrs. Seay, the principal, couldn't agree on how to run the school.

Lala is quite a character, and filled with personality plus. Some are talking about me bringing her back again. I may do that, when I get over this time. She is a mess!!!!

Meet My Lala

She was bought several years ago by our son Art. For some reason she never became a favorite of his, and so she has stayed in her box in the closet. She even made the move with us from Elba to Geneva, AL. But lately I thought about her, went and took her out of the box, and finally gave her a real name. Her name is Lala. I've named her after my mother, Eulala Williams, or Mama Lala to the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and most recently to a great, great, grandchild. She's worn her name for nearly 99 years now, and somehow it just has to live on.

Lala needed some legs and she needed a pretty little outfit. With a trip to the local thrift store, I found the ideal dress for Lala. It was a 24-month size, and when Art made and shipped her legs to me, she was ready then for shoes. With a red dress, she needed red shoes to match. A trip to the nearest Walmart led me right to the little size 8 red cloth shoes that just fit Lala. I don't know what the people shopping in the shoe department must have thought when they saw me down on the floor with a pair of puppet legs trying to stuff the feet in different sizes of little red shoes. After getting the right fit, I went to find red ribbons needed to tie her pigtails tightly and then she would be ready to go.

Lala and I are going to start working together April 17, at the Geneva Women's center. Professional? No. Fun? Absolutely!!!! Watch out. We may come your way soon.

Before we had drinking straws

One of my most precious memories is going to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bryant on Cool Springs Road near Opp, AL. We went basically every Sunday afternoon. I have so many good memories from that place.

Tonight I had a fresh little onion with my vegetable burger and soup for dinner. As I looked at the blade on the onion, the memory hit me. We used to cut those blades off and use them for drinking straws. That was long before we could even find drinking straws to purchase at Mr. Drayton Smith's store in new town in Elba, AL.

Ah, it was something to do. It doesn't take fancy stuff to entertain some children. You ought to try it sometime, just for the fun of it.