I've known some power players and good guys and gals in my day. People that had the power to change things and did. I don't know why I am going to go there but I am. Like the song says: "memories, like the corners of my mind, memories of the way we were." I guess it is the laughter that I remember, the smiles, the candy apple red fingernail polish, every curl in place, always a smile, almost perfect. My thoughts that were probably shared by loving parents that were there on the cold December day when she came into this world, Brunette.
The year was 1926 and in those days the cars could not drive down the lane to the Russell's home place in the winter. It was a dirt road and the wet fall and winter months usually turned the dirt road into mud. She was born at home and came into this world during the high times of the roaring twenties. But those roars were beginning to wane. Her life began in a community called Menser, just outside of Dawson Springs. She was welcomed by a brothers and sisters; Raymond, Rudell, Pauline and William and was soon followed by Aminell, Joseph and Phillip. With eight children the family table was set for ten, in those days a large family like this one was not uncommon.
As the years passed this family would continue to increase in size; as this generation of children became parents and grandparents. It is only now that the family seems to have leveled off and spread out across the country. The years that have separated those days from these have brought about changes. Changes that many would not have ever been able to fathom in those days, and with all that changing, I hope we have gained more than we have lost. Regardless, what a group…what an interesting, generous, and loving group of people, people that I love and loved.
Nannie died on the first day of November in 1995 and I was 15 years old. She left us at a time that we didn't expect to see her go and over the years I think I have dealt with that loss in different ways. It might have been so hard because she was one of the first people I loved and lost. It certainly had a lot to do with the amount of respect I had for her and as always Grandmother's are needed and missed when they are gone. But sometimes it's not so much the mourning that takes us places. Years after her passing I have found time to talk to many people about Nannie. I have spent hours talking to Mom about things that she liked, things that she did. I have thought of her so much as if to make up for all the lost time.
She was eulogized by a great family friend, Dr. Jeff Winfrey; and her close cousin and fine man John Lush Russell. Both men quickly mentioned her smile. In the next few blogs I am going to do my best to describe that smile as well as the person behind it. A project that has been a long time coming. The one thing that is unfortunate about this story is that she did not fade away into the sunset, strolling down some beach. The end of her life was hindered by illness. Her exit is more or less like the way most people go out, in our their normal way. Leaving behind two remarkable women to continue to share her love and her spirit in their own ways - her daughters; my mother DeNell Storms and my Aunt, Patricia Schofield.
People often say - never look back. But sometimes you just have to look back. Because you never get to where you are going without all that getting. When I look back there is so much to see that I have to slow my mind down to digest it all. And always while looking back I see the faces of people like Nannie. People that helped to shape my character and did so much during their lives to make mine a little bit easier. I would like to write about all of these people, and if there is enough time in my life to do them justice, I just might. But for now, and in the next weeks I am going to focus on one person. This series of blogs will be hers, tentatively beginning in 1926 and ending in 1995, titled: Brunette. It will be a work in progress as are every one of these entries.
As these words escape my mind they take with them something that doesn't always come back. Somehow this project of taking and leaving is working well for me. Nannie did so much for me and I never really had the chance to pay her back…not that she expected me to. However, in the years after her death, I hope that I have paid it forward. Sharing kindness and generosity with others, both traits that she so gracefully exemplified. Maybe in some strange way this series of blogs or stories will be my way to do something for her…no matter how late in the game.
People help each other in ways that are hard to explain. We come into each other's with all sorts of opportunities to help one another make it through this world. Earlier I spoke of power players, good guys and good girls. Nannie was a power player in her own way and always on the good side. She used her short life to contribute goodness to others. That is why we still miss her after fifteen years. That is why my family will always think of her fondly, and that is why I feel compelled to write this series of blogs.
To come: Brunette
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