Monday, December 17, 2012
Gramma helped shape my life and was an anchor for me throughout my childhood. She helped raise me when I was a baby and I have lots of sweet memories of her. She was the quintessential wife and mother of her time - solid yet soft, dedicated to her husband and caring for her kids and grand kids. She didn't say "I love you" much until more recently when I broke her down and made her say it back, but I knew she always loved me. Some things I've been thinking about: the way her car always smelled like McIntosh apples until she couldn't drive anymore, her love of all things Audubon and especially hummingbirds, picking green beans and other veggies from the garden and how she gathered them in her apron, going to the spring on the side of the road with her, her bleach-water bug repellent, stealing snippets of uncooked bread dough while it was waiting to rise so she could bake it and sneaking skin from the turkey every Thanksgiving. She taught me how to play solitaire while sitting on the stairs with the scratchy green carpet and tried to teach me how to knit. She thought my nose was as cute as a button and told me so all the time. I remember their 50th wedding anniversary and how in love she still was with Grampa after all those years (she died wearing her wedding ring even though he's been gone for 20 years!) She would flick your ear if you misbehaved and wouldn't stand for back talking or interrupting her on the phone. When she was young she looked like a down to earth movie star - beautiful with porcelain skin and a shy smile. I will miss her but she's gone to be with Grampa and that's ok. No more pain or fear or sadness. I'll love you forever Gramma, even if you can't say it back.
Rest in peace
Evelyn M. (Landry) Banks
September 1, 1918 - December 14, 2012.
