I wrote this when she was such a little thing and she grew into a lovely young woman. She was killed in a car wreck last night (well, after midnight so I guess it's really this morning) and we will miss her so much.....she was one of the dearest nieces in the world. Please keep my brother and his family in your prayers.......and the rest of us as we travel to Texas.

Rebekah

Blond hair
Blue eyes
A little cherub face

Cuddling arms
Cute sighs
Dressed in ribbons and lace

Daring tricks
Dizzy messes
Prancing all round

Flirting looks
Fancy dresses
Boyfriends will abound.

Rebekah LeeAnne Henderson
November 11, 1990 to August 9, 2010

I found this while reading through my old posts. I miss her so much but I am thankful for all of the years she was with us. I figured it was fitting to re-post.

Grandmother

She lived a simple life. She worshiped her God. She loved her family and you never left her house without having something to eat. If you spent the night, it’s certain the sheets would smell like they were fresh from hanging on the line to dry, extra blankets were ready at the foot of the bed and that you would waken to the smells and sounds of breakfast cooking in the morning. She was either singing or humming as she went about her daily business. The song we heard most was the hymn, We’ll Work ‘Til Jesus Comes. And she worked. She picked cotton and sewed in a factory so she’d have a little extra pocket money for her children. She was the dietician at a Day Care in Saltillo, Mississippi and she finally retired from public work after serving in the lunchroom at Saltillo High School for many years. Her life was one of service. Her home was always open. She was often heard to say, “They ain’t nobody loves their children and grandchildren as much as I do.” And it wasn’t just her grandchildren and great-grandchildren she loved. Nothing gave her more joy than to play with a baby or to watch children play at her house. There are numerous 'children' across this nation who call her Grandmother. She claimed as her own the nieces and nephews of her daughter-in-law and son-in-law, the children she baby-sat, the children of preachers and other fellow Christians and the friends of her grandchildren. It was so easy to love her. As one friend said, "She was such a sweet lady."

Her love for her family and friends was one that stemmed from her love for God. She never hesitated to set us back on the straight and narrow. She knew what was waiting for her at the end of her life and she wanted be sure her family and friends would be able to join her when their time came. She is waiting for us and watching over us, safe in an eternal rest. She was the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31. She was living proof of Philippian 4:13. It was not in her nature to let others take care of her. That was her job. That was her purpose and she did it exceptionally well. Even during the last week or so when she couldn't (well, wasn't supposed to anyway) get out of bed without help, she was reminding her roommate to wait for the nurses before getting up. In her final hours, her main concern was that the 'children' had a place to sleep and that they would be fed. She waited until she had seen or talked to them all and knew that they were going home to rest. Then she went home to rest. May God grant us all the strength and wisdom and time to follow his word and to teach others so that when our time on this earth is over, we can also go home to rest.

Ovie Viola Towery Henderson
August 14, 1920 - November 20, 2008

It has been a lovely weekend so far, in spite of the rainy weather. Saturday morning, I went visiting at the end of Price Drive. My cousin, Joseph and his daughter Brooke were getting ready for a snack and a viewing of Snow White. Brooke will be 2 in February and she's just precious. I had gotten a ballerina outfit for her at work but she seems to be going through that shy phase and wouldn't even talk to me. So I walked up to her Nana's (my Aunt Juanita) house. Martha is working the night shift so she was asleep but Aunt Juanita invited me to come eat with her at McDonald's..........some people hang out at Starbucks........Aunt Juanita hangs out at McDonald's. After a nice, leisurely lunch, I headed to Big Star for some milk and bread......no, they weren't predicting a snow storm. I made some fluff to take to the potluck/singing that night and headed to Wal-Mart to meet Tim and the gang. It was fun being at camp on the 'off season'. Mom and Dad drove up and we enjoyed the food and the wonderful singing after.

Sunday morning, I decided to go to church at East Florence so I could see Aunt Judy, Uncle Bud, Anne and her girls. I can't believe how big her girls are now. Caitlyn is 11, Allyssa is 8 (I think) and Masaya is 4. They are all just beautiful and I enjoyed going out for lunch with them. Anne and the girls and I went shopping after lunch and I had time for a short rest before driving out to Elgin to hear Tim preach. When I saw Austin, I said, "See, I told you I would be here today," and he replied, "But you have to come to my house!" He really is a sociable person......he wants everyone to come to his house. It was also great to see Aunt Joyce and DJ there. I haven't seen DJ in over a year and except for the longer hair and extra inches, he still looks the same. A couple of old students from ABS attend there with their families now and it was fun to see them.

I woke up this morning to a rainy day and a chilly house. I decided I'd be nice and light the pilot light on the gas heater to keep the chill off for Mom and Dad when they get here but I couldn't remember the right sequence so I went looking for the manual Grandmother always kept in her desk. Since the desk is gone, I knew it wasn't in there so I searched through drawers and cabinets and finally found it in the health insurance folder on a shelf in the closet......now, after following the instructions explicitly, I still don't have the pilot light lit so I'm leaving it for Dad to figure out. I pulled the electric heater out of the bathroom into the kitchen which has helped nicely.

I plan to go back to Elgin tonight to hear Tim and up early tomorrow morning to go back to work. I've smacked myself a half a dozen times for forgetting my camera. Sorry I don't have pictures of the kids......maybe next time......when I go to Austin's house.

I am really looking forward to this weekend in Alabama. I am planning to go with Tim and his crew to the pot luck supper and singing at RYC Saturday evening. I was going to the UNA game but I figure a gospel singing will be much more uplifting. Tim's meeting at Elgin Hills starts Sunday and I'm planning to make at least three services that day. I have to be back at work Tuesday @9:45 am and I haven't decided yet whether I'm staying Monday night and driving home early Tuesday or going back home Monday night after services. Right now, I'm leaning towards early Tuesday morning. I just hope I remember my camera so I can get pics of the kids.

Ta-ta for now.

Just in case you haven't been checking facebook, here's a few updates:

Lori's mom is doing much better and is in a long term care facility in Birmingham. They got her into a wheelchair this past Tuesday. It was the first time she'd been out of bed since July 31st!!!!!!

In other news, I was able to visit Jeff's family Labor Day weekend (pictures are posted on facebook) and I think it just made me miss them all the more. I've found I enjoy being called Aunt B, even though I resisted it in the beginning.

I plan to be in Florence the second weekend in October. UNA has a home game that Saturday and Tim starts his meeting at Elgin Hills on Sunday. I am really looking forward to seeing them again.

Other than that, I've just been working away at Macy's in the children's department and trying not to think about starting Christmas shopping. I finally started crocheting a baby blanket for my boss (she's due in November) so my evenings are spent in front of the TV and crocheting instead of surfing the net or reading.

If you are going to be at the UNA game on Oct. 10, let me know and I'll catch up with you there. Or, if you make it to Elgin Hills for their gospel meeting Sunday or Monday, I'll see you then. If the meeting times permit, I may make it to East Florence once on Sunday.

Ciao!