Wednesday, March 4, 2009

If I Ever Leave This World Alive

So lots of crazy things going on this week, hence the lack of posting.

Sunday afternoon, we got snow here for the first time in six years! So of course, the roomie and I had to take our pups out in it and frolic a bit. I bundled up Panther in his bomber jacket, and I put on my Columbia jacket for the first time all year, and out we went.

But it didn't take long for the little thing to get soaked to the bone and start shivering, so I bundled him up in a towel and shoved him into my jacket to warm him up.

For you non-Georgians, and especially you Northerners, you won't understand the extreme and joyful significance of snow here. Snow in Georgia means that everyone all of a sudden loses their ability to drive, but it also means that everything shuts down. My work was canceled on Monday, and I spent all day cuddled up in my jams watching movies and stuffing my face with garlic chicken and steamed rice. I couldn't even manage to change clothes to go to class. Meh.

Then yesterday, I got an early call from my mother to tell me that my grandmother, my mamaw, had passed away early in the morning. Last week, I had cried when I found out she was sick and had been placed into hospice care. And I cried when I found out she had fallen unconscious on Saturday. But yesterday, upon hearing of her death, I felt something different - a kind of peace in knowing exactly where she is right now. I always said that woman could teach Jesus a thing or two about loving the Lord!

So to celebrate, instead of going to the visitation (which she didn't want, but these things are more for the living than the dead, I suppose), I will be attending the Flogging Molly concert in Atlanta with some of my closest friends. We'll be heading back tomorrow at the crack of dawn to attend the funeral, of course.

I dedicate today's posts to my grandma (because I plan to write a few today). Her pancakes were made with love, and she converted Jehovah's Witnesses in her living room. Love you mamaw.

Note to Self:

If I ever leave this world alive
I'll thank you for all the things you did in my life

If I ever leave this world alive

I'll come back down and sit beside your feet tonight

Wherever I am you'll always be

More than just a memory

If I ever leave this world alive


She says I'm okay; I'm alright,

Though you have gone from my life

You said that it would,

Now everything should be all right


- Flogging Molly

7 comments:

Sornie said...

Snow in Minnesota also means that everyone forgets how to drive. See, we're not that different after all.

Helen said...

Saw Flogging Molly Saturday here in Austin. Awesome show- you'll have a great time! Aggro did a short opening set, but they rocked, as always.

Also, not sure if you'll get the first opening band, or if that changes at various times on the tour, but they were good, too.

Have fun!

Y of F said...

we also had 10! inches here in NYC! we were paralyzed!

im sorry to hear about your grandmother, but i know what you mean when you feel at peace. We know that our departed loved ones are nt suffering, and in the place where we know they will be happy. it is truly beautiful.

enjoy the concert!

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your grandma. I'm glad you had a feeling of peace, though, when you heard the news.

Anonymous said...

so sorry for your loss, and hope all the others she left behind can find the same peace you have.

(And I know all about snow days!!)

MJ said...

Sornie - Good to know!

Helen - The first opener we has here was just OK. Aggro was really fun, and they came into the crowd to hang out with the fans (we got pictures with them - they were so much fun!). We had a real blast. I'm glad to see other people are fans :)

SM - Thanks Sarah!

KM - Thanks, Kweenmama. It's a great feeling.

VV - Thanks, VV. I think we all feel some peace - some of us more than others though.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Sounds like she was quite a personality.

I love the photos of you and the pooch! So adorable! :)