Last Thanksgiving, my dear Granny Bryant came to East TN for a visit. We quickly realized that she was unable to live alone anymore, so she officially moved in with my parents. That time with her was just priceless time and I am so thankful for it. Daniel and I would go and stay with her every Monday and Friday morning so that my mom could continue to teach her preschool class. She and Daniel fell in love with one another and created a very special bond. She called him "her baby." Daniel was so sweet and precious with her, always patting her, kissing her, and giving her cookies or a bite of whatever he had. In her last week, he even moistened her mouth for her. Granny Bryant went home to be with Jesus on April 27th in one of the most peaceful homecomings ever witnessed. David pointed out at her funeral that she looked much younger and he said it was because she was with Jesus. I love my Granny dearly and miss her more than words can express. However, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to know her..really know her. She taught me so many things, but the most important thing she passed on was her faith. I remember many times hearing her pray at night after we had all gone to bed and she thought no one could hear. Her prayers were simple and so evident that her relationship with God was an intimate one. I long and pray to have that type of relationship...a real, honest one. I am so thankful to have witnessed those moments.
I am forever thankful for the relationship she and I had and also for the relationship she had with my husband and my children. She loved us so! My brother, A.D., and I spent many moments in laughter with her. I spent MANY moments in the kitchen with her trying to learn to cook like she did. I watched her with her dogs, watched her sew and quilt, and watched her garden...and I have yet to find someone who can do ANY of those things better. She had the greenest thumb, knew more about plants than anyone I have ever known, and was simply the hardest worker I have ever seen. She was still working in her flower beds and garden at the age of 86. She loved being outside and hated being cold. She ALWAYS had popsicles at her house for us. She took us to the creek to swim, but made us work hard when we got home. She loved going to the flea market and finding a good deal. Granny Bryant loved pleasing people in the kitchen and made the best fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and strawberry pie ever. She loved telling stories of the "good ol' days" and had the greatest laugh. She taught me that spending time with family and loved ones was what was improtant. She is truly my hero and I love her more for all the things she taught me.
I am so thankful to my parents for allowing us to spend so much time with her. I am also thankful to my parents for naming me after her. I am proud to be Tiny Amber and will forever love sharing the story of how small she was when she was born in 1923. I am also thankful to my parents for taking such wonderful care of her in her last months, weeks, and days. They truly spoiled her and she deserved it.
I miss her so, but I am so thankful she is home with Jesus and look forward to being with her again someday. As I told her in her final days, I am thankful she is now an angel to watch over my boys.
Now after saying all of this about my Granny Bryant...I am also reminded that I need to encourage and instill the importance of that kind of relationship with my children and their grandparents. I am forever thankful that we are back in TN with them and love watching my children with their grandparents. Only God knows how much time we have on earth and I pray that we are using our time wisely and sharing it with the ones we love and cherish.
And as usual, here are some pics of my Granny!
The first one is me and my brother with her! (love this pic)
