My Grandmother, Ora Belle

My best friend Pamm sent this picture to me today by email. I must have published it on this blog in years past. This is my cherished grandmother Ora Belle Dunn Hamer who died in October, 1979. (This picture was before 1975, but I am not sure when.)

I was so close to my grandmother. She taught me to sew and to enjoy shelling peas and butterbeans. I can taste her wonderful cooking. I can see her sitting on her cooking stool, talking to me while she turned her incredible fried chicken.

I can see her brushing her long hair and braiding her thinning braids to criss cross over her head.

I can feel the nobbly chenille bedspread as I napped on her bed, waking up with bumpy imprints on my cheek. 

My world changed forever when she died. Looking back over the almost 40 years since her death, I can now see "the rest of the story" on the various people that populated her prayers and hopes and conversations.

Grandma was easily hurt, but I remember her as very forgiving and generous to a fault. She taught me there is pure joy in giving without expecting anything in return.

I am sure Grandma had annoying habits and the flaws we all have, but I cannot remember a single one of them.

I just remember a crippled, withered old lady who walked with a severe hunch who radiated pure love.

She had lived what we would consider today a very hard life on a farm during the Great Depression.  If anything, that hard life kept her tender and vulnerable.

I wish I could talk to Grandma about so many things. How could almost 40 years have passed since her death? Tears have been flowing all afternoon as I remember wonderful memories and wish I could share more of her time. 

She must surely be in Heaven, so, in the proper time, she and I can pick up where we left off...

 

Comments

[Pamm Romines]

Oh Penny, what a lovely thought. I am looking forward to meeting your Grandma after hearing such wonderful stories about her. Hope there are lots of chairs on the porch in heaven where we can instead of shelling beans just soak in the wonder of the Lord and praise Him all day. Love you dear friend.