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I’ve got this lovely lady on my mind…

Her name is Frances.  She is so dear to me.  She was the best friend of my great-grandmother, Momo (as we called her).  But also great friends with my grandmother, a cousin, my great uncle, my aunt, and now me.  Four generations of a family…she’s been friends with all of us.  I have pictures of her holding me as a baby.  And now holding my children as babies.  She moved to Dallas from Houston about 5 years ago and we have been able to form a lasting and sweet relationship with her.

She’s the one that has told me that my great grandmother and great grandfather were so in love.  She tells me how much she admired and respected their marriage.  She tells me about her and Momo taking me to the movies when I was only two and letting me stand on the seat.  She is the only one that I know of who pronounces my name with all 3 of its syllables…Mer-e-dith.

She is the epitome of class and sophistication.  She has impeccable manners and grace.  She is kind and gracious.  She adores my children, as if they were her own grandchildren. 

I went to see her in the hospital yesterday.  She’s 91 years old and last week had a heart attack.  And now she has pneumonia.  As I sat with her, she would fall in and out of sleep, but then wake up to ask me a question about a family member or my boys.   I held her hand and kissed her cheek and told her of my love.  She knows I love her, and I know she loves me.  And I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent with her over the years.