My grandmother was my Angel on Earth and although she's in Heaven, her role as my Angel remains the same.
She held my face in the palms of her
rough, un-manicured hands. I remember her eyes looking into mine as if she saw a greatness in my future that would forgive any unfulfilled promises of her past. I can still feel her hands on my face. Hands that told the story of her life without a word being said. Hands that spoke of faith and strength. Hands that gave more love and more memories than any one lifetime could hold. She was raised in Hollywood. Not the Hollywood of stars, glitz, and glamour, but Hollywood Plantation, where the only stars that shined were the ones she wished and prayed on. She didn't have soft scholastic hands of a gilded youth, but hands that adapted to what hard work meant at a very young age. Hands she used as means of worship, placing them together tightly as she gave thanks to The Most High for all she had been blessed with, both big and small. When she became a wife and mother, she continued to use those hands to provide for her family, working in schools and in homes of rich folks, cleaning their messes and scrubbing their floors while all the while singing, "If you can't help me, please don't stop me. Move outta my way, don't try to block me. I got a race to run, and I'm running by faith. And at the finishing line, I'm gonna see God's face." She didn't allow pride to dictate what was and what wasn't. Her pride came from knowing she had done her part in feeding her family and that in itself was enough for her. She had hands of love: love of her family, her friends, her church, her God. Hands that would cut out patterns to make her children's school clothes. Hands that would rub her children's backs until they fell asleep when they were sick. Hands that would direct her church's youth choir so the mouths of babes would sing and rejoice in praising the Lord. When her children needed to be disciplined, one never imagined the hands of her 5ft, 95lb frame to hold the power of a 7 ft, 300 lbs man. Instilling respect in her children was a necessity because she understood if they had not been taught at home eventually the law might do it for her and that was not an option. Everything about her was inviting: her smile, her infectious laugh, and the biggest heart God ever saw fit to create. But what I remember most about her are her hands because before God took her back to heaven, I held her hands one last time and I would carry that priceless moment with me forever. God chooses where His miracles will occur and where His Angels reside. For all who knew her, we received an everlasting miracle when God chose to let us have one of His most precious Angels for the 50 years she made our world her home. I am forever grateful to God for the favor He has placed upon my life. Out of the billions of people on this Earth, I was chosen as one of the few who experienced her presence, her touch, her laugh, her smile, her love, and I will hold her in my heart for the rest of my existence until she holds my face in the palms of her hands once again.
sincerity of truth with such purity of the heartfelt that it pierces social machinery and lucid emotions respond in this ones chest...oh, is that my heart which just opened? Is that moist streak on the cheek witness to gracious love? As her beauty of spirit shaped your heart, you have deftly heralded it for all. Damn girl you can write! Very moving, touching and lovely. Such intimacy could embarrass but here it inspires "Rejoice!"
Posted 10 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
10 Years Ago
Your pen speaks with such eloquence and very vividly might I add! I am truly honored you felt the em.. read moreYour pen speaks with such eloquence and very vividly might I add! I am truly honored you felt the emotions poured into this piece and were able to receive them. These words alone cannot express the depths of my love and admiration I have for my grandmother but to have such a wonderful comment acknowledging my talent through a tribute to her means more than you know...again thank you for you time and your more than appreciated comment:)
10 Years Ago
My pleasure and please keep writing! It is always pleasant and easy to review quality work that is m.. read moreMy pleasure and please keep writing! It is always pleasant and easy to review quality work that is moving
Close your eyes and touch someones face without looking, you will remember their shape for the rest of your life, and I know how blessed hands can be when grand enough to sleep in like a hammock, this is beautiful
Its very sweet and i felt like she was sitting across the table from me....
I am sorry about your loss but i too, know how it feels to lose someone you loved dearly...
Sounded like she was a wonderful grandmother...
Great potential i see in you.
Keep on writing, keep on thinking, and most importantly be you!
You breathe out a deep beauty of the soul; of God's miracles in life and love. What a precious woman and a divine legacy she left to you. And what a wonder that she watches over you still. xo
These people are the best kind! I always love meeting a jem, you have portrayed your muse in the most flattering of lights. Raw imagery, with eloquent and philosophical smatterings. I was hooked from start to finish.
Posted 10 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
10 Years Ago
It's always a wonderful feeling to have someone think and speak highly of your work, but when a part.. read moreIt's always a wonderful feeling to have someone think and speak highly of your work, but when a particular piece is written with the heart and not only from it and another recognizes it as a "jem", it means more to me than words can say. Thank you:)