Who Called Me Granny

Photo from Google Images

The origin of Granny began with my Godson whom I affectionately call Cee Cee.  He was my shining star.  When he started talking at a year old, his parents tried to get him to call me "God Mommy"; but he insisted on "Gammy" laughing each time he said it.  Of course I loved every time he said it, he was Granny's boy.  As time went on and Cee Cee's speech got better with age, he began saying Granny and so did every one else:  all Granny's Godchildren, their parents, the church, Students, and their parents, etc...

Of course you have the naysayers ranting about the use of a young person in her twenties being comfortable using the name Granny.  As usual, what did I care?! I loved it.  I told them at some point in my life, it would be the name that would bring me a great pay check.  And so, after starting this blog, I called it Elegant Granny; naming my company in honor of my Godson Cee Cee.  Turns out, EG is beginning to spread like wild fire.  So many magazines soliciting me for articles; radio shows soliciting for guest spots.  Thank you Cee Cee and to everyone else who enjoys Granny.  I appreciate you much.  If only I was able to show you as much as I can tell you. 

Much love,
Granny

Feel free to visit my other sites

Proactive Eye  http://www.proactiveeye.com 

  * Proactive Eye is revision of the former Be Wise and Know blog*

Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.com

Parents

There's one thing in this life I know for certain; you don't get to pick your parents.  For this, I am thankful.  My parents did not have the best of everything to give us, but they gave us everything with the best they had.  We were blessed to have three parents in our lives that we care about and they care about us.

My father c. at his ordination service

My father spent a great portion of his life working hard, being involved in sports (he coached a lot), and teaching Sunday school.  As I remember, his favorite job was during the time he was trucking for Allied.  He always came back home bragging what stars he ran into while delivering cargo in California.  The thing I remember about him the most, he stressed a scripture from the bible that will never leave me - "If a man don't work, he don't eat." (2Thessalonians 3:10).  He was not playing either.  Every child, at any age was required to do something around the house.  If you were able to communicate you were hungry effectively, verbal or not, you had to work for it.  Because of this virtue, I learned to never to depend on anyone for anything when I am well able to get up and do for myself.  Thanks Daddy!!  Here's a post I did in memory of my father earlier this year:  http://timewithgranny.tumblr.com/post/16469095710/live-without-regrets-this-post-is-in-memory-of-my

This is Mama (Nah Nah) dressed for Sunday service

My mother was the one that provided a lot of lung exercises for us.  While growing up, my sisters and I were known as The Braxton Girls.  We were a singing group that had some place to service people in song every Sunday (or so it seemed every Sunday).  It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun.  During the summer, Mama would sell dinner plates for school supplies and school clothes for the upcoming school year.  Because of these two ventures, I learned how to use every stream God has given me to pool income for my household.  Thanks Mama!!  Here's a post I did of Mama earlier this year:  http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine.html

Here's a picture of Ma with her winning smile

My step-mother has been the greatest support system for us all.  She was always there for us as the sounding board for anything.  What I remember of her most as a child, is her love for people.  There is never anyone going into lack around her.  If you don't know how to do, she will teach you if you allow her to.  Because of her, I understand the value of giving back to my community.  Thanks Ma!!  Here's a post I did of Ma earlier this year:  http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine-part-2.html

All three parents have served God and their children well.  I appreciate them, and I'm sure God does too.

Much love,
Granny

What values do you treasure most form your parents?  Leave comments below.

Salad Sandwiches

Growing up, my sisters and I use to play "Old Sisters."  It was a day we use to dress up in hats, gloves, and purses pretending what we would be doing when we get old.  Our bedroom was the house of one sister, the other two sisters, one lived in the living room while the other in our parents bedroom.  We would pretend to call each other on the phone to make a "sister lunch date" at our favorite restaurant (the kitchen).  The meeting place would be at one of the sisters pretend house which was usually our bedroom or our parents room - that's where the lip gloss or Vaseline was for our pretend lip sticks.

When Mama called to let us know when it was time for lunch, we would commence to the kitchen - our favorite restaurant - for our food.  When we were the age of depending on Mama for lunch, we ate what she gave us.  As we got older and were allowed to prepare our own lunch, we decided as a tradition to have salad sandwiches for lunch.  It only consisted of lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise but it was a favorite lunch for "Old Sisters Day."

Now that I'm in my 40s, I often wonder about that play date we use to have.  Sometimes I wonder if we prophesied happy living in our years of retirement.  The three of us have our own lives living in different places and doing different things.  It will be a pleasure to see and to live life as the real "Old Sisters" enjoying that season of our lives.  The only difference, we have a younger sister, and she will be included.  Here's to happy memories with my sisters.

What fond memories do you have of you and your siblings?  Leave story in comment section below.

Much love,
Granny