Blanket Puddy Fez: March 2014

Jeanne Lannom Cathey Fraser

My "Jeannie" as I always called her, aka. my grandmother and name sake, went to be with her Lord on December 28th. As some of you knew, she had a quick diagnosis of lung cancer that was found because it had spread to her liver. It was a slow growing cancer, but by the time they found it it had spread already to her lymph nodes.

Jeannie was deathly terrified of doctors, needles, hospitals and it was a blessing that she never had to get surgery or chemotherapy treatment. God knew what to do. And I do believe he brought her even closer to him during her last struggle.

My Jeannie was the ultimate definition of a southern lady. She was about 4'11" and was very petite. She always had makeup on, you must always have a fresh coat of lipstick.You never show up without calling. She had plastic on her furniture in the living room. Her clothes were always impeccably pressed and put together. She collected Barbies and porcelain dolls-more about this in a minute. It was not "proper" to say this or that and you never, ever tell your age. In fact, I never knew it until she got sick because my mom saw it on her hospital bracelet. All these things were actually rather charming. She was a funny and quick witted lady that would go to the moon and back for her children or grandchildren. She always worried that we were okay and would always make me call when I left the house and when I got home, if I was visiting. I have wonderful memories of tea parties with her and chinese checkers. Of course, instead of tea she would give me coffee with lots of sugar and cool whip on top. There was a time there when I stayed with her and my grandfather, Norman, every weekend. My grandfather would wake up late because he was on late night television so Jeannie and I would watch the news-her favorite thing to watch-and sip on our coffee before he woke. She would start breakfast (fried potatoes and sausage or bacon usually because my grandfather didn't like eggs!) and teach me along the way. She tried to reuse and keep everything, like the plastic bags that held the silverware at Shoneys to use as a toothbrush holder when you travel. Don't dare throw away the used wrapping paper or aluminum foil. She was the best at ironing and would come get a basket full of clothes from my mom and do it all. I missed that lesson because I'm the worst at ironing ever (although I'm getting better from sewing). Jeannie and my grandfather were total opposites, but she handled him like no other. She was a very strong lady after living through her young sister's death, first husband's death, then second, and her youngest son. She may have looked weak but she certainly was not.

The funeral was beautiful. Her boss of 30+ years at the Southern Baptist Convention's Education Commission Board did the service. It was great to hear all of her practical jokes she played on everyone there. He also spoke to her love of the Lord and different prayers she had written close to her death. I miss Jeannie. I miss her petite hands holding mine and her smile. I miss her encouragements. I miss the way she laughed. But I have hope. I will see her again and now I just wanted to share how she made a difference to me and others.

I've been put in charge of selling her HUGE collection of Barbies and a few scary dolls. When I say huge, I mean 2 car load trips. I mean fill-up-a-basement collection. HUGE.

Now I am not the girl-est of girls, so it wasn't that exciting and I didn't even want to keep any. Sure, I played with Barbies when I was younger, but I remember playing outside more. That has changed over the last 3 months. I've been kind of getting into the "photo shoots" and looking at their detailed dresses. The other day I was telling Jack I was starting to get attached, he grabbed me and said "get a hold of yourself". Haha. It's been quite a learning curve with ebay and box sizes and shipping, etc. I can now say I am quite the Barbie wizard (I've even decided to keep 3 incase I have a girl one day). This is why I have not been blogging lately. My second job is selling Barbies. Here are a couple of my favorites: