Nana

Nana, with the rosy pink cheeks and eyebrows so thin,

She taught me all I know about how to fit in.

I began my makeup with pink cheeks like Nana too,

But with blue eye shadow, which was a disaster show.

Nana took photos and laughed her sweet laugh,

And took me aside to show me the correct path.

She taught me much more than just how to do face,

She taught me compassion, love, and sweet grace.

Her soul so kind, her love so tender,

If you knew her, you knew she was a sweet nana, daughter, mom, and mother.

She was also known by other names,

Including her real name Martha Jane.

But nobody she really knew called her Martha, except 1, maybe,

And if someone did, she’d say something like “Who’s that lady?”

She was as silly one, my nana,

Besides loving soul, she sure knew how to have fun.

I remember she used to read me stories every single night,

Ones about frogs, snakes, god, and oh Crick wing, that one was my favorites, alright.

No matter how long I stayed awake,

She wouldn't leave my side until I drifted asleep.

She’d lie by my side and listen to me snore,

and only leave mid-night when she knew I was asleep for sure.

I remember getting sick and running to her room,

Not wanting to wake my mom but not wanting to be alone.

Nana would be waiting to take care of me in my time of need

Getting up out of a deep sleep to comfort little ole me.

She’d rub my back and hold my hair back,

And tell me it’s going to be ok, no matter what.

If you knew my Nana at all,

You knew she was nurturing, gentle, and strong.

As I sit and sip my coffee to this day,

She’s the reason I like it strong and black all the way.

At the age of 7 I’d get up early and go sit on her lap,

She’d have her black coffee and give me small sips.

I can’t remember if I liked the taste or not to this day,

But Nana was my everything and I wanted to be like her, what can I say?

Each morning as I drink my morning coffee,

Silent tears stream down my face, remembering the good ole days.

I remember when I’d leave for work or to my boyfriends,

She say the same thing as I hugged her goodbye and held her hand.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” she’d tell me each time.

I’d laugh and say “you had 5 kids” so I won’t commit any crime.

What so many fail to realize is that Nana wasn’t just a grandma; she was so much more,

Nana was a mom to me, so special and adored.

She raised my brother and I when my parents were away,

As if we were her own children back in the day.

Supporting us, coming to all our shows, and saving our old grade reports,

She was more than just the cookies, spoiling, TV buddy; she was a grandma galore.

Losing her was like losing a parent, a mom,

She was with us from day one but finally I guess it was her time.

But I can be thankful she’s in heaven, with Bapa, her mom, and hopefully her animals,

And I just have to remember that someday I’ll get to see her sweet beautiful face again.