Titus 2 Tuesday

For the past couple of weeks I have been following several fellow bloggers as they write their Titus 2 Tuesdays on women who have inspired them, and today I have decided to join in!

For my first Titus 2 Tuesday post, I want to dedicate this to my best friend, my Nanaw! My Nanaw encouraged, helped, & listened to me whenever I needed. We lived in Wellington until I was in 2nd grade and was right down the road from her. I remember being upset when we had to move, but not until a few weeks ago did I realize how sad I was when we left. A few weeks ago, my Dad gave my brother and I all of our little kids pictures that he had gotten from my Nanaw's collection of pictures. And in this mix of pictures I found letters that I had mailed her during the 1st year that we had moved. My question, "Why would she keep those all these years?" As I read through the letters, I thought to myself, "What a dork! I sounded so stupid!" But to her, I didn't sound stupid, I was a little kid who loved her and wrote letters to her just to let her know that!

Throughout high school, I became even closer to her. I called her at least once a week and saw her often. After graduation, I think I even talked to her more and saw her more. (I finally had my own cell phone & car! LOL) When I started attending MSU in WF, I was taking a summer class and had to be to class by 7AM!! (I know I was nuts) I would get up @ 4:30am and leave at 5:15am. Nanaw always got up by 6am and everyone knew that, so sometimes she would get a call @ 6 on the dot! :) I would tell her to just talk to me b/c I was getting sleepy. She never said no or complained about talking to me everyday, sometimes 2x a day! I told her about tests, projects, work, etc. and she never forgot them. If I told her I had a test in a week, she would ask me in a week how the test went. Most of all, she never forgot the tings I told her and she cared!!

When I had Montana, she stayed at the hospital ALL day & ran out of oxygen (they had to get some from the hospital) just to be able to see Miss Montana and she was the 1st person to hold her other the Levi & I. I will treasure that always!!! Nanaw started going down hill when Montana was about 9 months old and I found out that I was pregnant again. I had so many things going on during this time, but I'll never forget what she said when I told her I was pregnant. She said that I had my hands full already and that I was just adding to my plate. I got my feelings hurt at first, and have always thought she said that b/c she knew she wouldn't ever see my 2nd child. But as of today, I know that my Nanaw was RIGHT!!!!! I have my hands full!!!! LOL I told her before she went to heaven that if I had a little girl I was going to name her Autumn Joy. (Joy was for Joyce) She just smiled and said I hope you have a boy. Well, on Oct. 9, 2007 we had a baby girl and I decided to go ahead and name her Autumn Joyce instead of shortening it to Joy. I know that Montana will always have pics of Nanaw and her, but Autumn never will. I just keep telling myself that she will have memories that we share with her and she will carry on her name!

May 5, 2009 is the 2 yr anniversary of her passing and I still miss her dearly!! I have tears just writing this! I always just wish that she could see Autumn or have been here to meet Sheri (my brother's wife) and her kids, David & Caelyn. What great kids they are! There are so many things I wish, but I know she is seeing all of this from the gates of Heaven!!! Amen!!

As the years go by, I will make tons of memories with my kids, but I will never forget the memories that Nanaw made with me!!!! I love you Nanaw!!!

(Sorry this post was so long)