To the Grand Ladies in my life...Salud!

I finished "Gardenias for Breakfast" by Robin Jones Gunn last night, and it has now been added to my favorites list.

My mind has been drifting homeward lately, and that's not even my desire. James Taylor's "Carolina in my Mind" has struck some chords, and even though it's written about that other state right above mine, the lyrics still hit exactly the right note. I'm not ready to come home, but then again, I think I am. "Yes I'm up and goin' to Carolina in my mind..."

My new favorite novel reminded me of home in the ways it talked about another favorite of mine: fried okra. There was mention of Atlanta and Louisiana, Southern drawls, homemade cornbread baking in the oven, and fireflies. Gardenias, vegetable stands, aunt's stories of cotillions past, Mt. Zion roadside chapels with steeples and bells, and the Piggly Wiggly or "Hoggly Woggly" as my family says. Humidity, hammocks, porchswings, Sunday afternoon naps, sweet tea, and "Sugah" petnames. Another favorite mention of homemade peach cobbler, lemon meringue pie, and the best gift of all -- grandma's pearls.

These things and James Taylor's sweet, honestly sung words have carried my mind elsewhere in my daydreams, but really I wanted to write about my Grand Ladies. In "Gardenias for Breakfast," the grandmother went by "Grand Lady," and I want to do my best sharing my heart for my two Grand Ladies.

Betty Stoddard and Myrtle Sublett were one-of-a-kind Southern gems. Indeed, each of them was a Grand Lady in my eyes. I sat teary-eyed and weepy last night, joyous rather than sad over memories I will forever keep in my mind.

For those of you who are from the South reading this, you know how much a Southern woman can impact you. For those of you who are not, you most likely still know how much a Southern woman can impact you.

To MaMa, my artiste extraordinare. You taught me about hospitality and enjoying company. I cherish the times I spent with you painting and drawing. Creativity was a true gift that you opened up to all; art was not a born talent in your eyes, but rather you wanted all to experience the great wonder. Your hair was always fixed, and you were always ready to greet anyone who stopped by. I was reminded of you particularly at the point in the story when the great granddaughter talks about her Grand Lady never possessing a driver's license. To some people, driving means true freedom and stands for so much. No one would have guessed you missed "true freedom" in that case, because you were as happy as a lark right where you were. Magnolias blooming outside befit your elegance and grace, your sweet Southern charm. I don't know that I ever heard you say a negative word, even if you were thinking it. You saw the true beauty of life and God's creation. Thank you for teaching me so much, especially to love those around me and to include everyone.

To Grandma Myrtle, my best friend. Even though we didn't talk about all of the hard things in life, I will always hold you as my nearest and dearest friend in my heart. I didn't have to spend days on end with you to know how you felt about me. The part that struck me most in the book was the granddaughter thinking to herself, gazing at her Grand Lady across the table. "I kept smiling at Grand Lady, and each time I did, she smiled back. She saw me. Even with her aging eyes, she saw me. Her tender gaze made my heart swell. If I had to define why I was so enamored with my grandmother, it would be for this reason. Every other reason would fall in under this one. When I was a blossoming young woman, she looked at me, and she saw me. She saw not only who I was then but also who I would become, and for some reason, she decided to lavish her affection on me. She was the first person in my life that made me feel as if she saw me and loved what she saw."

I felt that way about the way you looked at me. The best part is how pure your glistening blue eyes were; all I saw was love and acceptance, sheer pride. I never saw hatred or anger. If I did, it was only for a mere second. Then, my other favorite thing about you comes into play. Laughter, happiness, joy. "She could still deliver her lines with all the sugary airs of refined sass that only a woman like her could get away with." Grandma, you were killer when it came to humor. Everyone was always bowled over laughing, and if they weren't I was bowled over for them. I've never known a funnier woman, and without much effort at that. Your wide-eyed view of life made me want to soak up every drop then, and I carry that passion with me now.

To the most Grand [Southern] Ladies I know, Salud. Cheers. You are my inspirations as I go about life. I hope I one day inspire my granddaughters and children as much as you inspired those same people throughout your lifetimes. To the strong, graceful, and honeysuckle-sweet women in my life...I thank you.