My great grandmother passed away today. As you read from the title, she was indeed 105 years old. Born in 1899. Can you believe that? She saw the entire 20th century, from start to finish. The Wright brothers, sinking of the Titanic, the Roaring 20's, the Depression, the Wars, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, a man on the moon, ... gosh, who can sum up an entire century in one sentance? Just sit and think for a minute what's happened in 105 years. She was a part of that, all of it.
I didn't see her often, as she spent most of her later life in North Carolina. But the times I did see her are etched into my mind forever. She was an amazing woman, even a child could sense that. Such a sweet Christian lady, who was kind and strong and funny. She had such vitality and spirit! She worked side by side with my great grandfather on a farm in Mississippi, and they had a house full of warmth and love. The stories of her life are precious treasures handed down from generation to generation. She was always an invisible presence in my life, an example in my mind of the kind of woman I wanted to be. She left a legacy that helped to shape all the women in our family, and in honor of that, we named our little girl after her, using her middle name as Wrenn's first name- Tabitha.
She was ready, and now I rejoice, truly I do, at the thought of her reunion with my great grandfather, her husband of fifty years. She made a joke not that long ago, true to her mischevious way... She said, "Poor old Malcolm (her husband), he probably thinks by now I've died and gone on to that Other Place!" She laughed. Because she knew. Death held no sting for her. The grave had no victory. What else can I say, except, Praise be to God!
What a blessing she was in our family, and she will be missed on this earth.