I keep thinking every day will get easier to write this, but it hasn’t.
I’m the baby of the family born 15 years after Mallie. When she and John got Married I was their flower girl, but right after the wedding they moved to Virginia. My memories of Mallie didn’t start until one or two years later when my mom, dad and I went to went to visit her in Virginia (John was away with the Navy). Every vacation afterwards was spent going to Memphis.
These trips were my favorite childhood times and memories. Virginia left an indelible mark of my first vacation and time being with Mallie. I remember falls in the Virginia mud, Mallie taking me to the in ground pool and hearing the Cowsills album over and over and over. I’m sure Mallie was singing away! It was the first music I remember other than kiddie songs and it was the greatest thing I had ever heard. I will always think of Mallie when hearing the Cowsills and also her love of singing. Singing, laughing, generosity and overall love of life. I can’t remember anything other than joy when I think of Mallie.
When she and John came home for visits it seemed like they were always taking me with them. The trips to Memphis were always special and I loved every one of them.
I loved that she called me Brenda Lee even as an adult and found it so endearing when Troy and Sean called me that as well. How proud she was of you both Troy and Sean and your beautiful families. It seemed to me that being a mom and NaNa were the joys of her life.
As hard as it was seeing Mallie for the first and last time at Kirby Pines I will choose to remember getting her to laugh and getting a few words out at attempting to sing Christmas songs. Last year when Pat, Carolyn and Juanita and I visited her, it was wonderful having us all together. It was wonderful and difficult. However, our last day with Mallie was the best our three days. She laughed, we laughed and when it was time for us to go she motioned for us to sit with her at the dining table. She seemed very happy having us all there and there was a definite connection with her. She definitely made it clear she didn’t want us to go. What a huge blessing the Lord gave as the last memory of our sister having one of her “good” days. I truly think she could truly feel our love.
I love you sweet sister and I’m looking forward to the day when we will see each other in heaven.