*A Celebration of a Wonderful Life*

   (*I wrote this yesterday and didnt get it in till now*)

Yesterday was Jan 11th.
Not a special or marked day to most people, but a day to celebrate for me.

My grandmother, Mrs Isabell “Bell” Jones turned 98 years old. I am first and foremost thankful and giving all honor to God that she is still here. I left Calif 2 years ago, but “talk” to her about once a week (she doesnt talk, we dont know if she can hear, but she still sittin there “lookin”!) but I often remember her beautiful lil face. Her hair is down her back (no one would dare cut it), all grey, and just as silky as it could be… I remember Gran as being the mainstay and rock of everyone’s family when I was young. Any problems anyone had (including me in my 20’s and 30’s) they went to Gran and she would “take care of it”. Whatever it was.  I am also ever cognizant of the fact that this is what continuous praise of the Lord will get you. My Gran is sittin there beautiful and healthy.  I remember that every time that church door was open, Gran and her sister Elizabeth-”Aunt Butch” (passed in 2002, and would have still been sittin right next to Gran,  92 years old, if the Lord hadnt seen fit to take her early because she was sick with Cancer) would be there. Gran was the Pres of the Building Committee, the Secretary of Sunday School (“Aunt Butch” was the Pres!) and in the choir, as well as an usher.   Those gurls tithed when they really didnt have it.  I remember in those days the pastor “traveled” each weekend for the service on Sunday and the “ladies of the church” took turns putting them up. Gran’s turn always was a joy for her. We didnt like it too much,  since at breakfast on those Saturday mornings was a disaster; we had to use good manners and keep our elbows off the table…The thing that marvels me:   She has been on this earth 98 - 365-day- years!   Thats a long time when you really think about it.    And I thank the Lord for the fact that she is not sick, shes just old.   Spends her days sittin in the livin room lookin at the world go by…but shes here.

Im gonna throw a party when she makes 100! I know she will*
She has seen the days when things we take for granted were’nt even around. My mom used to tell a story of when TV first came out, they were the first family on their block to get one. And how all the neighborhood kids would come over and watch some show. The screen was about 7-inches wide so they all were scrunched up…I bet it was funny.

I remember when my Gran first saw a cellphone. The look on her lil face was so cute. She was like. “What is that lil thang der’? Phone? Gurl, you talkin on the phone outside? How you gon’ do that?”   And guys she never talked on a cell so far in her life.   My aunt (who lives with her in her house and takes care of her) has a cordless unit, but Gran still has her “Ma Bell” beige, rotary-dial phone with the big clunky reciever and the whole bell on the bottom.   Her final GP opinion about cellphones is: “Ima use this here real phone, till its time for me to stop talkin on the phone, durnnit!” That phone is still sittin in her room on the nightstand, and nobody “bet not” think about movin it.

My Gran’s 1957 Chevy (the ugliest color green in the front and white in the back) stood in her driveway till just about 10 years ago, when my aunt sold it (Gran didnt kno till it was done-another story).   At the end of her ‘goin to town’ days she drove a yellow (!!screamin!!) Pinto that she thought was a spaceship when she first got in it.

(**Sigh**)

Ok back to my cave…