My dear grandma, Cecile, passed away a couple of weeks ago.  She left such a mark on my life.  At five feet tall, she prodded through her yard and barnyard wearing work boots, tending to plants, chickens, and everything in between. She wore her gray hair wild and free. She was stubborn as a mule. She had a soft spot for border collies and persnickety cats. She processed her own chickens up until old age.  She woke each morning before the birds and always had a perculator of coffee on the stove top and a rocking chair to sway in. I grew up spending Sunday afternoons sitting at the foot of her kitchen hearth, listening to the adults in my family catch up on the week's happenings speaking in Cajun, their French dialect. I tried to understand, but mostly I didn't. 

Losing my grandma is like losing the very last straw of childhood. There is now a finality to those early years of my life. All of those family dinners under their backyard oak trees. The Magnolia tree I loved to climb and how my grandma use to hang her shade plants from its limbs. The cistern faucets were we'd help ourselves to drinking water  and to fill up basins to wash dishes outside in the afternoon after a big family dinner. The turkeys gobbling and the kids gobbling back. The mama cow and her calf. The pastures and their tall grasses.  The feel of St. Augustine under barefeet. Roller skating down her driveway. Holly berries in coke bottles as noise makers. Hiding beneath the hedges and the feel of the cool, damp earth on our feet as we'd squat and whisper. 

On the way back to Louisiana, I read through a stack of letters grandma had written to me over the years.  She wrote exactly the way she spoke, so re-reading them was like having little conversations with her.  She embraced the simple moments in life and was a no-fuss, no-drama, kind of woman.  She loved to bird watch and had a special fondness for bluebirds.  Her heart was big and good.  

In between reading her letters, we stopped a couple of times along the roadside to pick some wild grasses for her. I think she would have liked them. 

Life continues.

Today was my little one's first day of kindergarten. 

XO,

Nichole

 

 

Comments

[Kim]

I am so sorry for your loss Nichole. It sounds like she was a wonderful lady.

I walked down memory lane with my gran on Sunday, when my hubby, little man and I took her out for lunch to celebrate her birthday this week. I am not sure why, but the visit has left a little shadow on my heart. Maybe a reminder to soak up this time with her, while I still can.

xo

[Rach]

Sorry to hear this, and what a wonderful portrait you paint of her and your childhpod memories. What a role model. x

[amanda]

oh Nichole, I am so sorry that you lost your dear sweet grandma. Cecile is one of my favorite names. of course that is neither here nor there, but I wanted to tell you. your description of her is beautiful, it makes me wish I could have known her and rocked on her porch listening to birdsong and drinking fresh coffee and sneaking looks at that strong woman with her grey hair blowing in the breeze. sure sounds like the two of you were kindred spirits, my friend.

what a lovely, lovely tribute to her you've put together here.
sending loads of hugs from NC
xo

[Catherine]

I am so sorry for your loss, Nichole. She sounds like the kind of spirit that I would have been grateful to know. Your words are a beautiful tribute. Sending healing thoughts to you and your sweet family.

[summer]

What a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss. It really is amazing this circle of life. Happy first day of Kindergarten to your little one. xoxo

[ladycordelia]

I loved that photo you posted of her (your g-ma) on Instagram.
I stared at it for such a long time.
much Love to you and congrats on first days of Kinder. xoxoxo

[Nichole]

Aw...thanks Cory. I love how jubilant she looked in that photo. So much life ahead of her. As if the angels were blessing her with a long, fruitful story.

[Nichole]

Thank you Summer. Yes, this circle of life is something beautiful to behold.

[Nichole]

Thank you Catherine. Yep, I bet you would have loved her!!

[Nichole]

Cecile is one of your favorite names?? Really? Mine too, (obviously). I don't think there are a whole lot of people in the world that have that one fact in common! :) She WAS so strong AND had great hair!

[Nichole]

Oh...I think our time with our elders is just as precious as our time with our wee ones. It's all fleeting and sacred.

[Nichole]

Thank you Rach!

[amanda]

yes it was up high on the short list of names before Claire was born. Cecile, Cecilia, Celia.... love all of the variations. I think it is a strong but still very lovely and 'soft' name at the same time.