Today would have been my beloved Gramma Jacobs 108th birthday. She crossed over at the age of 82, but to me she never seemed old, she seemed timeless. She was my protector, my warm, safe haven. She delighted in sharing Grape Nehi floats with me and got me addicted to pickled eggs.
I learned from her that coffee made and reheated day after day in a two part tin coffee pot became a thick, living mass that almost slapped adults awake. I learned that a woman could be loving and still be strong, that being compassionate didn't mean you were weak.
I will never forget the many times I had to guide my sisters through the darkness, fleeing the bloody fight going on at home. Arriving at her house to be swept up in her warm arms and knowing that she would take over protecting my sisters. I could stop being a little adult for a while and be a scared little girl and let her look after me.
I remember walking with her to run her monthly errands, we always stopped at a local diner and had lunch. Warm weather it was sandwiches, cool weather it was stew or chili. She made everything fun and holding her hand I knew nothing could hurt me.
She is always with me, and when I feel the need, I close my eyes and I can feel her holding me, telling me everything will be okay...then she hands me a pretty purple Grape Nehi Float.
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