Over the years Jonathan has told me countless stories about his second mama. He lived in two different houses growing up and was lucky enough that his Mother Leva and Pop lived a few houses down the street each time. Jonathan's mom worked for her dad while he was young, so everyday he would hang out with Mother Leva and the smorgasbord of food she always had waiting for him. She was a Christian woman, full of life and vitality, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. We'll miss her smiling face and her funny Leva-isms, but know that she lived a wonderful, full life and is now home dancing in heaven with her dearly beloved husband who died 13 years ago.
The news put a bit of a damper on this milestone birthday of Madison's. But in the end, with a quick change of birthday plans, we took off to Decatur to visit Jonathan's family on Thursday and stayed until Saturday. Many of Jonathan's cousins and other family are in Texas and Oklahoma so it was good to see all of them even though the occasion was a little somber. Madison was a trooper and had a great attitude about giving up her ususal birthday dinner and about having to postpone her birthday party. When we got to Decatur, they all had a little surprise waiting for her.... Madison's favorite strawberry cake with strawberry icing.... balloons and beautiful flowers just for her. She was beaming from ear to ear.
Madison's cake and flowers
Opening up some of her cards...
And then we walked outside and what do you know.... a RAINBOW!!
Jacob, Meri Margret, Madison, Macy and Aunt Donna
A few us after dinner one night.... Betty always has a packed house
Mother Leva wanted us all to pick out a few pieces of her jewelry as keepsakes so Friday night we sat down and one by one chose some of our favorites
Even Jacob got into the act. By the end of the night,he looked like a cross between a hip-hop DJ and Mr. T!
Mother Leva is in a much happier place now.... no more pain.... no more loneliness. She can see, she can hear again.... she is finally at peace. Mostly though, I am so glad she now knows just how much we all loved her and what an impact her sweet, nurturing ways had on so many of us. Thank you Mother Leva for loving us all.
