Monday, September 20, 2010

My Mother's Eyes

Roy and Jewel Turk
on their first wedding anniversary
in 1937


My Grandparents.
Alzheimers took him away many years ago.
She turned 90 this year, on April 3, 2010.
You could never meet a stronger woman.
Just a year ago, she was still strong, still a go-getter.
Still going to the farmers market and putting away
vegatables for winter, still "in charge", still sewing,
still going to church every Sunday.
Nothing shook her foundation.
Nothing could ever shake her faith.
I would say that "her faith carried her through the hard times".
But it's more likely that she was the one doing the carrying.
She taught me how to sew when I was just a toddler.
I remember going to work with her at her "Singer" store.
I loved every second of it. She would let me sew on all of the
new and very latest Singer sewing machines... with fancy
stitches, and attachments that would whip up ruffles
lickety split. I could play on those machines all day long,
and sew up as much fabric as I wanted to. Big bowls full of
buttons that looked like treasure chests to me.
After working all day, back at home, after dinner,
it was time to read the Bible. When I started school, and was
learning to read, she would let me read it to her. I couldn't
pronounce many of the words, and she'd have to help, but
she loved to have her grand-children reading the Bible to her.
If we wanted a snack, she'd make a pan full of biscuits and
serve it up with a big plate full of Georgia Cane Syrup.
She taught me so many things. And then...
She loved me, when I was truly unloveable.
She says She is ready to go to Heaven, she's just waiting
for Jesus to open the gate. I know she's ready.
I want to tell her that "It's Okay." If she's ready to leave us.
But I can't bring myself to say it. I see the heartbreak in My
Mothers Eyes, and I know, I'll never be ready to let her go either.

8 comments:

  1. Oh Teresa, this made me cry...what a beautiful post...a beautiful testimony....

    we are never ready to let them go....

    My prayers will be with you...

    Lou Cinda

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  2. We are truly selfish creatures aren't we? It is so hard to let go......love to you and yours.

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  3. Oh girlfriend, I hear you. I know your grandmother taught you so much. Your love shows it.
    I've been thinking about you lately, and will hold you close to my heart.
    Love you Daisy Duke
    Love Claudie
    xoxoxoxoxo

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  4. Its so difficult to let go of the ones who are so dear to us. My heart goes out to you but she is in you. In all you do and all she has taught you through the years. No matter where they are, they smile on us with great love and pride because in your case especially, you have grown up to be an amazing girl, mom and friend. I send my arms with a big hug of understanding and support.

    Love you girl.
    Jewells.

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  5. My grandmother left us in 2000 at the age of 94. It was so hard to let go, but she was lonely for those who had gone before her that she shared so many memories with including my mother who left in '98. Stay strong and when God is ready...she will be too.
    Debbie
    God bless you. This was a beautiful tribute to your grandmother.

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  6. You are all so lucky to have a Granny. I have never had one. My mother's mom died when she was only 12. You are always closer to your Mom's mother for some reason and I never had that chance. My father's mother was too old when I was growing up. But, I enjoy sharing your Granny. This woman is truly amazing. She has more stamina in her pinky, than I have in my whole body. And you are so correct when you say her faith has pulled her through the rough times. Can you imagine buring, what 6 children, a husband and then a grown son. Her faith has kept her mind on something other than going crazy. Even though we don't have the same church beliefs, theres only one belief that matters and that is in God. What we are going to do when she actually passes, I don't know. But, God has given us a few more days, we better make the best of them.

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  7. What a wonderful picture of your grandparents. I think our families are our JEWELS and ANCHORS and SHINNING STARS

    I think it is interesting how some people are very "ready" to meet their Savior and leave this hard ol' life.
    It is US who just can't seem to want to let them go....but we know we must.

    btw...I am one of Claudie's gals that she has invited out to her pink cottage this next summer. I thought it would be fun to visit everyone's blog of those she has invited and get to know a little bit about all of you.
    Then, if indeed I do get to make that trip, it will be like hooking up with old friends.

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  8. Teresa, This is so beautiful. It has been years since I have seen you, but I see Aunt Jewel fairly often. I'm Rubin's wife, Dianne. We love aunt Jewel and she has been an inspiration to so many of us. Your post had me crying and I could hardly read it, you certainly have a way with words. I love to sew also and I used to have a drapery shop many years ago. Love you and would love to see you again.

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My Grandmother always told me, "If you hang around with skunks, you're gonna get some stink on you."