"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Thursday, April 19, 2012

She was my childhood friend..................

and everywhere Jane would go...........that's where I wanted to go.
Which led me to spend my weekends with Jane and her grandmother, Lila Josephine.
Don't you just love that name???
Which led me to church, and led me to follow Christ all the days of my life.
At 74, Jane's grandmother would open her home to Jane and I on the weekends.Where she got her patience......on the good Lord knows.  We would spend Saturday with her , running about in the small quaint town, stopping by the Dairy Queen and then spending the evening hours watching Marty Robbins and the Grand Ole Opry together.
On Sunday morning, we all went to church...........a wonderful church, that no matter how hard I try, I can never find one just like it.  We would then head back to Grandma' house and have Sunday lunch, sometimes, along with Aunt Laverne, Uncle Merle, and Grandma's friend Evelyn.
All in all, it made me look forward to those weekends, and to look upon Jane's grandmother as my own.
The little case in the photo above belonged to Jane's grandmother...........and Jane brought it home to me!!!  She thought I would treasure it.............and I do!


It still has the bus traveling label on it from where she would take the bus to go visit relatives.
I am not removing the label.

Inside,  the little pouch is still perfect,
just a little worn.........

and although I restored and papered my grandfather's trunk,
I am keeping this just the way it is..........
the way Grandma used it.

It is the most wonderful case to store my crocheted doily collection in.
Years passed by, I grew up, got married, started my own family and only saw Grandma once in a great while..................how much I see now that I took for granted. She has long since passed away and how I would love to talk to her................

Now this little case is full of old crocheted pieces and it rests on top of my grandfather's trunk, where in the day, I can pass by and see , and remember those wonderful weekends long ago, shared with my childhood friend and a special grandma.
How about you?
Did you have a special grandma that you went to church with or spent the weekends with?
I would love to hear!

23 comments:

Country Gal said...

A lovely story ! That was so nice of your friend to give you that suit case . Have a great day !

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, my Grandma Faye. To this day she is the most Godly woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I too took much for granted, but sadly, that is the way of most teenagers.

She did visit often and would leave after gaining 10 pounds...she loaded us up on her wonderful cakes and desserts. That 10 pounds was her sign, whether it was a month or three months. Her and I wrote often, but I do not know why I did not visit her during the summers more. She passed away two weeks before I graduated high school after a long battle with cancer. Though over 30 years have passed, that it still the saddest day of my life. I hope that any grandchildren I may be blessed with, will remember me the same as I remember Grandma Faye.

She taught me everything she knew about Jesus and she loved watching Billy Graham on TV. I would love to be able to sit and talk with her about Jesus now...in time.

blessings, jilly

Anonymous said...

Oh, Kathleen, what a delightful, loving story! I can see why you loved being with Jane and Lila Josephine...yes, that is a wonderful name!

Your friend is such a dear to let you have Lila's traveling, which now has a permanent loving home.

Thank you for sharing...and be remarkably blessed today,

Marianne xo

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

This is so special! The Lord just sends us the right people, doesn't He? What beautiful memories. I love old trunks and suitcases, etc. They just speak to me. I always loved using them as props and displays when I did the craft show circuit. To open an old trunk is to open the past with all it's memories. My grandmother was so much a part of my childhood. She would come to our home and sew with my Mom, camp with us, and her door was always open for us to come to visit her. I miss her so!

TxFarmhouse said...

What a sweet post!! And what a precious friend to bring you that special suitcase. I never knew my grandmothers. I long for the day when I get to meet them!

lil red hen said...

What a special woman! I'd liked to be remembered this way by my grandchildren. I never had this kind of love from a grandmother; both were rather "distant" and I fear I may be the same way.

What a special friend too! This little case is just right for your beautiful collection.

Mimos da ClaralĂș! said...

Kathleen, I had a grandmother beautiful, sweet and very, very humble! My grandmother lived with my uncle and every Sunday we went to eat spaghetti from Grandma, she loved being in your wood stove, made ​​of clay, making bread. Hmmm, yummy!
I miss my grandmother Margarida, she now rests with the Lord!
That's it!
Have a blessed evening.
Luciana

Glenda said...

What a treasure!! Both my grandmothers died when I was very young, so I have few memories of them. Through the years, other wonderful ladies have been a "second mom" and grandma to me . . . Aunt Rena Mae . . . Miss Evelyn . . . I'm so thankful for them!

Connie said...

What a lovely story and sweet memories, Kathleen. We went to visit my Grandmother almost every Sunday after church and spent the afternoon with her. I have wonderful memories of that time spent with her too.

Vickie said...

Aw, Kathleen, this is such a sweet post and story! WHat a special lady she was. I stayed with my Nanny all the time when I was young cuz my mama worked. I loved her so much, her and pawpaw. She used to sit and draw with me. I still miss her...

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

My maternal grandmother would occasionally take me with her to the little church across the street from my aunt's house (my grandmother lived with my aunt and her husband and children). I remember the little white frame church with the wooden pews with no cushions. My parents did not attend church while I was growing up, so that is probably why I remember this so well.

nancy huggins said...

I have a trunk and some other things that belonged to my Grandmother and they are my treasures and I will never part with them. I use my guest room to display all my special things and I love it all. Was so nice of your friend to give you the suitcase.

romance-of-roses said...

A lovely post, so touching. Your sweet story brought back treasured memories of my own grandmother. I am thankful that I still have her sewing machine. Thank you for posting this. Hugs...Lu

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Kathleen, this is truly one of your most touching posts. I love it, and the little suitcase is a treasure. How very sweet of your friend to give it to you. She knew you would value it.

My very own grandmother is the one I visited. I miss her every day. And I did not treasure her nearly enough while she was here.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Kathleen, what a lovely bunch of memories. Sadly, both my grandmothers died before I was born and I cannot recall any substitutes growing up. You were so furtunate to have shared Jane's and now to have this suitcase reminder.

Agrigirl said...

This story really takes my breath away. I do love the name Lila Josephine. I still have a special grandma and as elderly as she is, I adore every minute that I spend with her.

Mini said...

Such a lovely read! So glad you now have something tangible to remind you of the lady who meant so much to you.

Terry and Linda said...

What a delightful story. I have a friend that I love, have loved since I was born and she was born. We were friends from birth. She died when we were both 47...I miss her more every day.


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Bev C said...

Hello Kathleen,

What a precious post. The suitcases are great reminders of times past.

Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

grammy said...

I love the whole post! How sweet and tender is the memory (o:
I hope my Granddaughters remember the time we spend together just as fondly.

Conni said...

What a beautiful story -and thoughtful gift from your childhood friend! I used to visit my grandmom every weekend. She was the most amazing cook! She was housebound so we didn't go to church together, but we listened to Oral Roberts on the radio.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I was very, very close to my Mammaw. In fact, she's the one who told me not to marry my first husband. I should have listened to her. Ha! So sweet of your friend to pass this little case on to you. It's perfect for storing your pretty crochet collection. Best wishes, Tammy

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

This is such a sweet, touching store. Jane and her grandmother were very special people. The suit case is very nice, too. Thank you for sharing such a heart-warming story.