I recall the scent of white gardenias
And the smell of chalk board dust
She loved sweet, iced-cold tea,
But “with lemon,” she said, “to cut the sweet”… was a must!
Her favorite spot was resting in an old, white, wooden high chair
Near the kitchen window, you could find her sitting there
Watching and waiting for Cardinals and Robins to come along
And dine at her window-box feeder, giving a concert with real “tweets” and songs
Spending early mornings in the sun
She met them on Saturday’s for breakfast there
Grandma would peck on the window softly
If Blue Jay’s ate more than their fair share
You may have been lucky to know her, as “Miss Nina,”
Second Grade teacher at Malesus Elementary School
But to me she was more than a teacher
My Grandma, “Miss Nina,” personified the golden rule
She taught me to love, because Jesus first loved us
She taught me to share, to do good work, and to be nice
If she ever had to correct me, (which wasn’t very often)
She never had to tell me twice
She taught me to read and write before I entered first grade
Vocabulary words and Arithmetic flashcards… we reviewed in the Summer shade
Of an old Oak Tree where she churned homemade ice cream
A tasty reward for helping shell fresh butter beans
A regimen of praise and prayer
One tube of lipstick, a little powder, and just a touch of rouge
Her day began with just a few simple things
I cringe to think of all the money I’ve spent on makeup, jewelry and earrings!
She was such a sweet, sweet soul
No one could ever take her place
I know Heaven gained an Angel
When she entered into God’s rest and grace
And I would bet she is still teaching
In one of Heaven’s small classrooms
All she learned from painting on her heart
The gospels of Mark, Luke, John and Matthew