My beautiful grandmother, whom I called Mimi, passed on from this world early this morning. I loved my grandmother dearly and she was such a huge part of my childhood as I spent almost every weekend with her growing up. She was a truly tremendous cook and also loved to garden. I mainly remember her either in the kitchen cooking up something delicious or out in her garden tending to her flowers or peppers or whatever she happened to be growing at the time. She was born in a little town in East Texas, the first child of eight more to come for Fletcher and Delma Seale. She became a teacher after leaving high school and then later married my grandfather John Rockwell and they had three daughters, my Mom being the youngest. I was her only grandchild and the love she gave me as a little girl was testament to her generous nature , especially as my grandfather died the summer before I was born and I think that I helped her move on from that loss. I loved being at my Mimi's house so much and she pretty much allowed me to do whatever I wanted really, which mainly consisted of dressing up in old clothes from her closet and creating stories that I would perform in the yard as well as playing records on the living room stereo full volume which she never once asked me to turn down. Basically she just allowed me to be myself and explore my life as a child in whatever way I wanted, which was a huge gift for me.
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| Mimi fishing somewhere in Texas~ |
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| Mimi at home |
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| My Great Grandmother Delma holding me, with my Grandmother and my Mom in front of the house my grandmother grew up in. |
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| My sweet Mimi |
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| At Mimi's house on Easter when I was about 3 years old. |
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| Mimi and I, Los Angeles |
Later when I was a teenager she retired and moved to Wimberly, Texas and then later married a wonderful man Mac McCollum who passed on a few years back. My grandmother lived a long and full life and was loved by so many. Today I honor her life and am filled with so much appreciation for all she did for me, my life would have been so empty without her. I love you Mimi and someday our spirits will cross again.
Oh Toni- I am thinking of you......I know how much you loved Mimi, you spoke of her often........thanks for sharing these photos and words. Love,
ReplyDeleteWendy
I was searching on Elizabeth McCollum and came across this beautiful dedication to your grandmother. I always feel reading and learning about those who passed keeps them alive somehow. I hope I touch someone’s life the way your Mimi did yours.
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