"Lots of Love" Granny

Last Monday night my dad called and said that Granny had a stroke and was in the hospital. It was not looking good. Granny & Pa had gone out to dinner with her sister, Dorothy and her husband. They were laughing and having a good time. Granny suddenly felt "dizzy" and laid her head on Pa's shoulder. She fell asleep and never woke up. Apparently, blood was pooling at the base of her brain. On Tuesday morning, at 73 years old and surrounded by her husband, children, and siblings...Granny went home to see Jesus.
It's really hard to believe that it's been an entire week since Granny went to be with Jesus. The past week has been such a whirlwind of emotions.
These are a few of my favorite Granny memories:

• Granny never EVER began a day of shopping without first getting a Hardee's biscuit.
• Each year, our birthday cards were typically a few days late and signed, "lots of love, Always Late Granny".
• Granny loved a good bargain. She could look at a clearance rack for what seemed like forever, and then walk away empty-handed.
• When we were little, Granny & Pa loved to take us fishing. One day my sister, Leah, threw her whole rod in the lake because her baited cricket touched her. Granny loved retelling a funny story.
  
• I was baptized by Pa at Granny & Pa's church in Tallassee, AL.
• Granny was always easy-going. I don't remember her ever arguing with anyone about anything.
• At holiday get-togethers, we'd stay up playing the domino game "Chicken-Foot". Granny and Mama Stiff (her mom) always played with us.
• Granny was always careful not to have a "favorite." So, at Christmas we all got the same things in different colors. You were lucky if you got to open yours first so you'd be surprised.
• Lane and I have a pretty unusual last name. It took Granny a while to get it right after we got married. I remember getting a card to "Lane and Kristen Widdrick" once.
• I will forever be thankful of the day that Josie and I got to spend with Granny & Pa back in May. Lane was in China, and we had flown to Hartselle for Josie's birthday party. Before anyone else got there, Josie and I got to spend an entire day with Granny & Pa (and my Mom and Dad.) Granny was so proud of Josie! I'm glad they got to spend that time together! It makes me sad to think Josie will probably not remember her.

That's all I can think of for now. But I'm sure I will add to the list later as I think of other things I will miss about her. She was a tremendously special lady. I will forever be grateful for all of the things she taught me---but especially her love for the Lord that she handed down to my mom, who handed it down to me. She and Pa began a legacy of Christianity in our family. Even though I'm excited for her that she's now with Jesus, and Poppy and Mama Stiff and Terry.....I'm still going to miss her a lot.
I will always think of her with "lots of love."