Creating a loving tribute

Dear friends,

Today is my Nanny’s 87^th birthday.  

Lila Ruth Scott

I was going to write a poem or a story and have thought about her all day.  But as the day wraps I think I will just tell you a few things about this delightful woman I love.

She is the mother of 4

Grandmother of 6

Great grandmother of 10

And Great, great grandmother of 2.

A depression child who knows how to feed a family on food she grew herself whether it is fresh from the garden or lovingly harvested and canned for the lean times.  She collects plastic bowls like they are gold because she understands recycling and how somebody might be able to use it someday.

Lila at 16

My grandmother met her soul mate at the age of 16, married him at 18 and continues to love him even though he died 12 years ago.  She and Papa were shining examples for commitment, patience and love being an action word.   They were married for 57 years.

Ruth kissing Norman (Papa)

My Nanny was a homemaker.  She raised her 4 kids on homemade food, hand sewn clothes and snuggled them in quilts she made until her hands started to shake so bad she had to stop.  

When I was a child I loved to watch her hang up laundry on the clothesline with the strong Texas sun willing to dry the sheets with the sweet smell of honeysuckle in the background of their small 4 1/2 acre farm.

When I was in elementary school my sister and I would get off the bus and run all the way to the “big” farm house (vs. the ‘little” house where we lived) with the dogs joyfully nipping at our heals.

Nanny and Papa's 50th wedding celebration with their family

Nanny would greet us with fresh ice box cookies warm from the oven and a tall glass of cold milk.  We would all sit and eat our cookies and watch Nanny’s show that was on (I think after school it was As the World Turns).

Nanny taught us to cook comfort foods that continue to sooth my soul in times of need.

She is famous for her Pecan Pie and Snow Biscuits.

 

Nanny loves flowers, traveling and her family most of all.

Nanny with her four grown kids

 

I am so lucky to have this loving woman in my life.  I spoke with her on the phone earlier today to sing her happy birthday and hear all about who had called her so far.  Our talks can be a little challenging over the phone.  Nanny wears two hearing aids and even with them has a hard time understanding. My heart is in Texas tonight - on an East Texas farm and I wish I was there playing cards with her and probably getting stomped, unless I was lucky enough to be her partner!

Wrapping you around with infinite love and cherished memories,

Christine