Today is my MeMaw's Birthday.  If she were alive, she'd be 107 years old. 

Emma Mae New was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She really was a typical Southern Belle.  Liquor never touched her lips; she sipped tea. Profanity never crossed her lips; her words while soft, were firm and steady. She married my PawPaw and borne eight children; my Father being the eldest. She worked along side of my Grandfather on the Plantation; rearing her children in the Southern Baptist faith. MeMaw saw the Great Depression come and leave its mark; they lost the plantation and moved North for work. She buried my Grandfather when her youngest was only 18 months old.

My memories of our time together are quite vivid.  I remember spending the weekends with her at her apartment; she making my favorite lunch...fried bologna sandwiches with ketchup; sitting on the couch and her running her fingers through my hair.  MeMaw often told me I was just like my Grandfather and how much she still loved him.  He was the only man she ever loved.

She was not only a religious woman, she was spiritual as well.  She'd spend every night before she fell asleep reading her Bible; "My time with my Lord", she'd say.

MeMaw gave up living alone and, for a spell, spent time with each of her children.  I loved living with her. She was quite active. Each summer we'd have a family reunion where my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and extended family would come to our house and we'd have a picnic.  MeMaw even played volleyball at the young age of 95!  She'd get down on her hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floors.  That's where she showed us how to play tidley winks and shoot marbles.

When I was bad (and it was often), she'd say, "Please don't do that and I'll dance at your Weddin' darlin".  Sadly, she never did.

She helped bury my Dad.  She told me the pains of burying a child and what true love was all about. 

She TRIED (and I do mean tried) to make me a lady, and would roll her eyes when I'd say something off color in her presence. 

I'd tease her and tell my family that she'd sneak out late at night and meet up with the truckers at a bar in town.  For awhile, my Uncles believed me; my Aunts would get the vapors at the mere thought of this lady partaking of the liquor.

Her favorite Holiday was Easter because it symbolizes rebirth and the hope of eternal salvation.  Her favorite color was pink.

One night, she fell asleep and walked through the gates she prayed she'd get the chance to do. I found out after the funeral by my Aunts and Uncles that I was her favorite Grandchild because I was always so full of life and laughter and gave her such joy to be around. What a compliment! It was reciprocal.

Her letters to me always ended, "Remember me to all who ask" Today and everyday, my beloved MeMaw, I remember and share you with all who read. 

Happy Birthday to you!!!