A Grandma Jefferson Kinda of Love
A grandmother’s love is truly unlike any other you will ever experience in this life. I had a Grandma Jefferson Kinda of Love a love that is unmatched that’s only experienced once in a lifetime.
There are many things I could say about you Grandma. My memories of you begin so early in my life of you being the safe space for me. Knowing as a little girl you would be coming to spend the night at with me and Ronnie was the highlight for us. I could count on you to be up early in the morning praying calling out our names asking God to cover and keep us. Your love and your protection was fierce and loyal the richness of your wisdom has and will carry us through our days. From your cookie recipes that everyone loved. You were a creative director before others longed to hold the title. Your handiwork was seen through your floral arrangements, you were the one to shellac the church pews that I would peel up the paint from the pew. It didn’t matter if it that shellac came off those pews it was your work. Your style was jazzy until your dying day. You are always looking for some lipstick, nail polish or some earrings to be adorned for your outfits.
Growing up you were more than my grandma you were my friend. The Grandma Jefferson kinda of love was seen through my teenaged years of visiting you, spending the night at your house, swapping stories and secrets. It felt so amazing to be loved and to be seen by you. There is nothing like walking into a room and someone being so happy to see you, wanting to plant thee wettest kisses on your face. I remember being so upset with all that spit you would leave on my face you didn’t care and would try to leave at least 5 more.
Over the years you and I became thick as thieves. Our phone conversations were filled with you telling me what was going on at the places you lived, reminding me to keep God first and telling me what Kim & Karen were supposed to do. The call would always include you asking for my father, Ronnie, Aneesa, Nadeya, Geno & Jeremiah’s number. If I went too fast you wouldn’t hesitate to say, “Wait a minute!” She believed in tithing making sure that Bishop (my father) was given an offering for first Sunday, Pastors Sunday. She loved and respected Bishop making sure that we kept all did the same.
Kim & Karen were your pride and joy. You loved them endlessly it was apparent when we talked. A Grandma Jefferson kind of love was seen through her request for things she needed. She knew if anyone could do it it would be her girls, from Mary Kay, amazon orders, nail polish, to Shaws and cell phones. She knew Kim & Karen would take good care of her, and take good care of her is what they did until her last day.
A Grandma Jefferson Kinda Love proved there wasn’t a life event she didn’t remember in the lives of your children, son-in-law or grandchildren. Sitting in church you were beyond proud of Geno & Jeremiah always talking about how amazing they are, being pastors and serving God. She told all of the staff members at her nursing home several times about her family. Introducing us over and over with every visit.
Us grand girls often felt like we weren’t as amazing as Geno & Jeremiah. I’m kidding. You were always asking about us girls thinking about us giving wisdom in your kinda of way. You wanted to know what us girls were doing, how we were feeling, making sure that we were putting God first in our lives. Your love covered our lives unbeknownst to us. You went along with all of our funny antics, from making jokes, laughing at our jokes, dancing with us, rolling your eyes, a quick murmur under your breath even down to a funny snap chat filter. You never ever told us who was your favorite grandchild, you simply, Affirmed. Had to be there really. You gave wisdom we didn’t always want to hear but it was needed.
Throughout the years we all had taken turns to pick you up and drop you off for church. Listen if you know Eunice, I’m sorry Grandma Jefferson you know that those rides whew a whole lot. Some kind of how she would get Geno to drive all over the city to find some Lay’s lightly salted chips. She would have a request of my mother to have some nachos and a Pepsi being sold after church or a new order of Mary Kay. She was never quite ready when Ronnie would go and pick up her. When my father or Jeremiah would have to pick her up some kind of how she was always ready. When Aneesa moved back she was in heavy rotation of the request calls I am sure it included Popeyes.
About two years ago I became the designated driver for Eunice, oops I mean Grandma Jefferson. I started creating what I called the Chronicles of Eunice Jefferson. Each week she was so happy to talk to the camera, I told her we were on a tv show! We became church row partners if you saw her you saw me. It got to the point the ushers would just bring her stuff to me telling me she was on her way upstairs. Our antics in church were full of sidebar conversations, Fiddle Faddle pork skins, her taking notes with her sharpie on her tithe envelope, making sure that Bishop knew she was an active listener. From time to time she would dose off but know if I tapped her she would tell me..I heard every single word.
There are so many more memories that I could share. My grandma was a the epitome a classy woman who was a warrior. She was anointed, resilient and loved God. Our hearts break knowing we won’t be able to see her or get her her favorite order of tamale and chili from Paul’s. We rejoice in knowing she has run her race, she kept the faith throughout and she was WON! Her family, her friends and those she impacted are all blessed because they knew her.
Grandma, Suga Wooga you messed me up with this one. You will live in my heart forever my best friend.
Rest Well Grandma You Won! Peace is now yours.