A Mother's Mother

A female parent; something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else- by definition that is what mother means. We know that Mother means so much more. Today as I was surfing the net, a video on youtube made me pause and think about my Mother's Mother. She has been gone from us in body for some years now but in spirit she has never left our sides. Lula Bell Ostrander or Nanny was such a wonderful woman. She was full of grace and had a heart of gold. She was a woman of faith. She wasn't affraid to share her faith with all whom entered her home. She was a woman of many talents. In her younger days she had the voice of an angel. She sang in church and she sang for political campaigns. Nanny could make some of the best homemade bread you had ever put in your mouth. As we say down south "It'll make you wanna smack your Mama!" The one word that sticks out most for me when I think about my Nanny is sacrifice. This woman gave everything she had. She opened her home to those who needed a place to stay, a place to talk, a place to cry, a place to laugh. She opened her heart and her ears. Years of her life were spent caring for others and providing for them. Never did she ask for anything in return. All she wanted was your love. Your love was enough thanks for endless hours of her time, her love, her sweat, and her tears. All who came through the backdoor of her house were immediately taken in and loved as if you were one of her own. It made no difference if you were black, white, red, purple or blue and it did't matter your faith she was going to love you and share God's love with you. She was everything that a mother is and ever will be. It takes a special person to be a mother and it takes an even more special person to be a mother to daughters. Nanny has a daughter that I am so proud to call my Mom. I think about the wonderful ways my mom has shown me and my sisters her love and I know that she had a great role model. All the sacrifices that she has made, the children that she has taken into her home and into her heart, the voice of an angel, and her love for our Savior! Though Nanny is now with Jesus, her legend lives on in my mother. Sometimes when I look at my Mom its almost like I can see my Nanny right in her eyes! What neither of them know is that they have given me and my sisters one of the greatest gifts a girl could ever receive. Through their constant and unwaivering love, they have given us a legend to live by as we raise our children. I'm preparing to be a wife and in the months to come I know my mind will wander off to memories of my Nanny and my heart will ache as I know she will not be there in body on that warm August day when I take the hand of my loving husband. I know she will be there in spirit. I know she will be looking down from heaven and rejoicing. She will be there in the eyes of my Mother and my sisters, her legend lives on!



To Lula Bell Ostrander, My Nanny

One of her favorite hymns performed by one my favorite country music artist.






I love you Nanny!