Great-Grandma: Floris P. Cole

My great-grandmother was one of the most amazing women that I have ever know, in my entire life, no contest. I was lucky to live right down the street from her for many years as a young child. Not only that, but she was the glue to my family. My fondest memories of her was when I would have sleep overs and she would spoil me like none other by: 

1. Tickling my feet 
2. Making me the PERFECT peanut butter and honey sandwiches (she always knew just how much to put on each side.) 
3. She would always let me play dress up, by putting on all of her different lip stick, and blush. 
4. I was fond of her goody drawer; full of all types of pastries. 
5. I would go down in her sewing room, where I would look at all of her different buttons.
6. We would watch ice skating together. 
7. Thanksgiving Day games at the table after dinner, between pie. 
8. The Santa Claus sack, of which I remember some of the most random presents (especially toward the end of her life, and deeper dementia.) 
9. The conversations I would have with her, and when she would always talk about her cordial cherry chocolates that her father would give to her for both her birthday and Christmas. 
10. The way she would always let me talk, and talk, and talk, and she always made me feel like everything I had to say was the most important thing in the world. 
11. Playing tic-tac-toe, hangman, monkey in the barrel, and pick-up-sticks. ALL of which was in her buffet in the dining room. 
12. Going through her jewelry in her back bedroom and thinking of how glamorous she was as a young woman/middle-aged woman. 
13. Moving in, and living with her and listening to all of her funny stories, mostly because of her dementia. 
14. Sitting on the porch with her, and visiting with Mr. Sheriff (the crossing guard.) 
15. Her never letting you leave without at least accepting a drink from her. 
16. Her fridge downstairs that was old SKOOL, which you used a screw driver to open the fridge with.
17. When she first got zipper, and she would jump up into your arms and bark at herself in the mirror. 
18. Her yell, which was my whisper.
19. Going out to lunch with her and my Aunt Marilyn . . . and all the Sunday drives. 
20. Most of all I loved my great-grandma for all of the love that I felt, and continue to feel from her. She may be gone, but she will love on forever. 

I love her for all of the wonderful things that she stood for, and continues to stand for. I still don't know her religious preference. I still don't know her political stance. I just know that she is the type of woman that if anyone said anything bad about her, I wouldn't be able to believe it. That is how I want to live my life. I want to love everyone. Laugh often. Forgive easily. Talk calmly.Oh, yeah, and love, love, love. 

I miss you! GONE, but NOT FORGOTTEN. Love you forever and for always. 09/09/09