Teresa (Tweetie)

Memories

MY GRANDMOTHER

I titled this, “My Grandmother” because that is how she made me feel, she was all mine, but in reality, Velma Beatrice Clifton was a person that shared her love with her entire family.  She had a hard life as a girl growing up, but she did not let that stand in her way from becoming a wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother, great-grandmother and a great-great-grandmother.

I was visiting grandmother one day and asked her, “Did you ever do one thing you really wanted to do that made you happy and was just for yourself?”  She replied without hesitation, “My family is the one thing that has always made me the happiest.”  I couldn’t let her off the hook that easy so I gave her some suggestions and also examples of some things in my life that I had done for myself.  But, she insisted the only thing that made her the happiest was her family.

I can see now from that conversation we had how I have always taken for granted that my family would be here forever and there’s always another day to take the time to visit or pick up the phone and say, “How are you doing?’  You might not have tomorrow.  I guess I was hoping she would tell me she had done at least one thing just for herself instead of always concerned with the happiness of everyone else.

Even though it’s been three years, I miss my grandmother so much my heart feels like it’s breaking at times and through the tears I can hear her voice saying, “Tweetie it’s okay, I don’t want you to cry when you think of me, I’m fine.”  She continues to comfort me from heaven when I’m hurting.

I miss her big hugs, home-cooked meals, having the patience of a saint, and for giving me a quilt to snuggle under to feel warm and safe.

She is and was a wonderful role model for her family.  I hope we can make her as proud of us as she has made us proud of her and the memories she has given each one of us.

 I Love You Grandmother,

Teresa (Tweetie)

Teresa found a poem that the family thought a lot of and expressed our feelings that first Christmas of 2003 without our Grandmother . Author unknown

                                       My First Christmas in Heaven

                    I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
                    with tiny lights, like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
                    The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
                    for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

                    I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear.
                    But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir
                    up here. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring
                    for it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

                    I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,
                    But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart
                    So be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear
                    And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

                    I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above,
                    I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
                    After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
                    It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

                    Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
                    For I can't count the blessings or love he has for each of you.
                    So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
                    Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

                                  In loving memory,
                                      Velma Cobb