Monday, March 30, 2009

My Grandma Geraldine Nations Watkins


This may be the last night of my Grandmother's life, or maybe the last week. Either way, her time is soon and I wanted to pay a special tribute to this wonderful lady. Because I am not there with her tonight I feel a need to at least share the feelings I have inside for this most cherished woman in my life...for I feel such a connection to her.

Grandma has always been the life of the party! When I think of her, I can not help but giggle a little. If you go to her house, she is in the spotlight, telling you a story, or a funny joke. Grandma loved drama, and could act quite well. She could write poetry and stories that painted the perfect picture. When I was a little girl, she would tell me the story of "Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears". She would change her voice for each character, and twist the words around a little bit. My favorite part was when the Mama bear said "MY pourage is too cold" and Papa bear would say, "By George, I think you're right!". She is so funny!

Grandma has always been my biggest fan...no matter WHAT I did. She was so in tune with me, and always cheered me on in my life. When I was engaged to marry the wrong man, who made me feel really bad about myself, she called me one night and said very plainly, "Amber, you know you can't marry him!" I told her that I knew but I didn't know what to do and she said, "You get in your car and you come and visit me". That is eventually what I did. I remember always getting up on stage to perform and knowing that if Grandma could be there, she would think I was amazing! She always asked me to get up and sing and when I was a little girl that is just what I did. I wish I could sing to her now...

I can't think of a more gentle heart.

Her heart belongs to her highschool sweetheart, Lorum. Grandpa and Grandma share a deep, undconditional love. When Grandma would go out of town, Grandpa would miss her so much that he would go to the nearest Target and wait in the food court, pretending she was shopping (since that is what he would do when she was in town:). I know Grandpa will miss her dearly.

As her life grew a little harder, and her breath became a little shorter, she couldn't tell the stories as boldly as she used to. But that didn't stop her from trying! Grandma kept smiling, even when the Parkinson's slowed her down and made her shake a little. I know she is going to a better place very, very soon; whether it be tonight or some time in the next few days. She is going to see her sister, her mother, her father, and many other friends and family that can't WAIT to hear her stories and smile with her again on the other side. "She will be in the other room", as my Mom likes to say. I bet the first thing she does is dance around and laugh, clasping her hands together like she used to do.

Grandma, I know I am not there with you now, but I am coming on Wednesday. If I miss you before you pass, please know that you are one of the biggest reasons I believe in myself. I can't WAIT to throw my arms around you again. Thank you for never ever giving up on me! I love you completely!

I will miss you, but God be with you until we meet again Grandma.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Create!



I saw this video on my friend, Cindy's blog (who happened to make me some yummy cupcakes for my birthday yesterday:) and it made me cry. I feel so strongly that this is true. We are children of a creative Heavenly Father who created US. We should use this desire to create in a positive way.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty."

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Our recent happenings...pictureless and all!

We went to the beach this last weekend and sadly we left the usb cord to upload pics to our computer in Texas so I will post some as soon as we buy a new one!

We are only 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to Destin Beach...beautiful white sandy beach! The boys had a blast running from the waves since the water was cold, making sand castles and driving their trucks around on the beach. This was Kade's first time to see the ocean and he had so much fun, he fell asleep in the middle of it:)

Yesterday we went to the zoo with some good friends we have met in the ward and again when the pics can be uploaded, I will post them. Luckily, there are many little boys in our ward so our kids have fun with them!

We miss Texas, but are really having a great time here in Alabama.