My grandma

She was a feisty woman, fearless, and sassy. When I was in grade school I remember her being a sassy woman who didn’t take anything from anyone. And if anyone came on her property to disturb the peace of her children, she met them with a shotgun. Now as she got older she retired the shotgun, but her tongue was far from retiring. There were so many times in the past twenty years that doctors told us to prepare for her passing and each time she would leave the hospital it seemed like she was buying boiled shrimp or crawfish to celebrate (knowing she shouldn't be eating it). She defied the odds so many times, I think I began to believe she would live forever. 

I could’ve been a Donna D’ette if it weren’t for her. Even before I was thought of my mom shared with everyone that she would name her first girl, Tuesday. But on the day of my birth, she changed her mind and named me Donna D’ette. And when my grandmother came to see me the next day, she immediately asked my mom “did you name her Tuesday” and with tears, my mom said “no” because she thought I would get teased for my name. And my grandmother looked at her and said, "you name your child whatever you want to name your child". However,  I’m sure it was more explicit knowing her. See, that’s the thing about my grandma. I never knew her to EVER care what others thought. I remember her being completely content being surrounded by her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. And although she didn’t utter the words “I love you much” she showed it in other ways.

According to Gary Chapman, there are 5 ways people say “I love you” through words, acts of service, physical touch, receiving gifts, and quality time. My grandmother said she loved us with her acts of service. It was as simple as making sure uncle Pat had cornbread with his red beans, making sure mama had a computer to do her schoolwork on, making sure Dairah’s needs were always covered, listening to Jasmine’s work stories, and making sure she bought enough shrimp for herself and Isaiah and also giving Isaiah extra chocolate when I asked her not to. I could go down the list with the small things she did to say I love you, without saying it. And as we go on reliving her memories, I hope you can remember the small things she did for you because she loved you too.

 I love you forever, Mary Alice Cindy Bell Hale Rogers!!!

Love Tuesday