La Resurrección de Sylvia

Today my daddy called me to first wish me Happy Easter.  Then he went on to compliment me about this blog.  He said 'you know you really remind me of your grandmother with your writing.'  Not the first comparison I've gotten to my grandmother from him or any other person for that matter. If you look at a picture of me and my grandmother when we were both children, it looks like the same child.  Amazing. Hair color, eye color, stance, smile...its the same little girl.

She died on October 16, 1991.  Its like yesterday to me.  I was extremely close to my grandmother. As close as a child could be to their mother.  When she died, I can promise you a big chunk of my heart just crumbled up and died.   My grandmother played a big part in raising me.  She never had any daughters, just two boys but when I was born I seemed to be her litte special gift from GOD.  I'm serious. I know most grandparents spoil their grand kids, but this relationship was beyond a grandparents love. There was certainly something very special about GOD choosing this grandmother for me.

I love(d) all my grandparents.  And they have all helped me in many ways. They cared for me and  provided for me.  But something about Sylvia T. Pridgeon (Peggy) was extraordinary.  She touched so many people in her 58 years.  Her funeral was that of a princess or pop star.  At the time, my father was a  police corporal, and we had police escorts from the church in Maryland to the cemetery in DC ... motorcyles, squad cars, officers at posts. There were no cars getting through this funeral procession. And if they even tried, it was not a good day for them.  lol.

I can remember riding in the limo looking out the back window in amazement.  All this for my grandmother?  All these people came out to celebrate her life. They were all very affected by her life and her passing.  I'd never personally seen that amount of people at a funeral other than when a friend had gotten killed at a young age, which was happening alot around that time.  It was historic for me.

Recently, in dealing with LIFE, I had an epiphany. That although my grandmother touched so many lives, I feel like GOD brought her here especially for me.  And he took her away because of me.  There were some lessons I was to learn while she was here, but more importantly her death would be a greater teacher of things I would need to remember and get through as an adult.  GOD used my grandmother to instill some principles, values, creativity, and love in me that I would need to utilize during my time here.

But for the pain I experienced losing her, I've forgotten some of those things she taught me.  Today the light bulb turned on and I remember all too well of how she expected me to act, what to do, what to say and how to say it. My grandmother let me get away with a lot but don't get it twisted, she did not play.  You can be cute, popular, spoiled and have all the latest gear, but you better do it with some manners and respect. In other words...act like you got some damn sense.

She was my Angel.  My own personal messenger from GOD. When you're young, even though kids are smart, it may take a while for them to form their own personal relationship with GOD.  We don't have enough experiences or relationships to grow from. Your parents, grandparents and other family are there to help you, to teach you, to bring you up and through. If you have a good well rounded foundation you're rooted in, then you are certainly BLESSED.

It's important to me that I resurrect all that she taught me because I have to believe that GOD used her for that purpose.  Not just the bible,  preacher, or minister has to convince me. Because she lived I know HE lives.  Today I don't think of my grandmother in the cemetery, her spirit is not there.  Her spirit has always been with me.

Today in remembering Christ's resurrection and all HE has done to bring us closer to GOD, also remember others that GOD has brought in and through your life to lay a strong foundation for it.

Happy Easter Grandma and to everyone reading this blog.

Until Next Time...Remember, Easter says you can put the TRUTH in the grave, but it won't stay there.