I was home-schooled from 1st-7th grade alongside my 5 siblings… so in our younger years, we could get to be a little too much for just my mom. That’s why we spent a lot of time with my Grandma Bebe at her house. She was like a second mother to us all and really helped to raise many of us into the adolescent children we became. Lord help you if you were on wrong the side of Grandma Bebe’s wrath! But she was one of the most loving, tender, and joyful people I’ve ever known… and she had cable TV!

She’s had a profound influence on my life both in living and after her death. The memories that are still shared today help to keep her alive in our family across aunts, uncles, and cousins. I’ve kept this little fabric rose and piece of wheat from her funeral for the last 16 years to help remind me of the beautiful, down to earth person she was and the impact she had on me growing up. Over the years the wheat turned orange from being stuck in the candle wax – I have not yet figured out if there’s any symbolism there. ☺