It’s time to honor our 2019 Top Five Commenters.
(Actually, there are seven top commenters, due to a three-way tie for first place.)
1st: Ann Martin (57)
1st: Lee Anne (57)
1st: Phyllis (57)
2nd: Krista (50)
3rd: Sue Ellen (47)
4th: Sharyn (46)
5th: Deb Mantik (my sister!) (34)
Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to a post or share a personal experience last year; comments are one of my favorite parts of blogging. I’ve loved getting to know you all better in 2019 and look forward to a great 2020 here at Smithellaneous.
I have many stories and photos to share from our week together in Manteo which I will post later. Today though, I am going to revisit our time in Charlotte.
Most of the photos have to do with Steve’s dad but I wanted to share this one of Steve reading the Christmas story before opening gifts.
Since the grandkids may not have perfectly clear memories of their great-grandparents as they get older, the photos we took during the visit will be extra meaningful for them to look back at.
I’m thankful they have pictures with their great-grandma Campbell as well. (2017) Their great-grandpa Campbell passed away before they were born.
Meagan did a great job juggling kid-wrangling and Grandpa-chatting.
The paparazzi showed up in full force.
The movie stars who are the subjects of a thousand photos have nothing on a couple who have lived and loved so faithfully.
When we visited Ken on Saturday morning (with Steve’s brothers), we met in a private room.
But when we went back on Sunday morning, we were in a more public area, situated in the corner of the dining room. As we sang carols with the guitar, and as the children’s voices rang out with “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” it made me happy to think of the staff and the patients up and down the halls whose mornings were being touched by songs, and faith, and the voices of the generations.
In a weekend full of memories, laughter, and tears, the memory that shines the brightest happened when Meagan pulled me aside and said, “Mom, would it be okay if I said a prayer with everyone before we leave?”
And so all of us–baby, toddler, kids, a young adult, and six parents spanning three generations–gathered together to pray. With tears on her face and emotion in her voice, Meagan offered a beautiful, powerful prayer. She thanked God for the joy of getting to be a part of the Smith family. She thanked Him for the foundation that Grandma and Grandpa Smith had built and the example of love and faithfulness they had set for all of us coming along behind.
By the time she was done, half a dozen Bojangles napkins had to be pressed into service to deal with the collection of Smith tears. It was an incredibly precious moment–a highlight in a day of highlights.
Here is Meagan holding Ken’s hand while she prays. I am so thankful for this wonderful woman Nathan brought into our family; her maturity and depth and sensitivity are a continual blessing to us all.
In the next blog or two, I’ll share a few photos from the Floridian Smith’s visit to Manteo.
What about you? How old were you when you formed your first memories of your grandparents? What is something you admire about them?
What beautiful pictures and memories. Not every family has this experience and you are so blessed. Megan is a lovely women offering to pray as she dd with such emotion. I am so happy you were able to enjoy such a wonderful Christmas holiday celebrating the birth of our Saviour.
Catherine,
Blessed, indeed. And very grateful for a daughter-in-law like Meagan who brings such a wonderful added dimension to our family.
Wishing you many blessings of your own this coming year.
What beautiful memories were made!
Guerrina,
Yes, indeed. Thankful for each one of them.
I too am honored to be included in your list. It has been my joy to comment along with others, in the ups, downs, laughter, tears, etc. of the Smith family. It has also been inspiring to hear what the Lord has done for the family, especially Sarah when I first read about her on Caring Bridge. Love all of the pictures, family, vacation spots, clothing and yes, even, hospitals. We continue to pray for you and Steve each day. Especially knowing that the diagnosis you had years ago was incorrect and now it’s almost like starting over. The Lord will never leave you or forsake you as you continue on this journey. Thanks for all you have done for us!
Sharyn,
What a very sweet comment; thanks for making my day! You frequent commenters are very special to me.
I am going to a new doctor at Duke in two weeks for further insight into my diagnosis and to see if he agrees with it. I certainly do appreciate your prayers.
I am honored to be honored! Seriously, I love reading your blog and following along with the Smith clan through all of the highs and lows. You have such a precious family and I cried a bit when you told of Meagan and her prayer. You have a real treasure there!!
Your family photos are really nice and all-inclusive too; you are usually the one doing the taking.
I remember going to my grandparent’s (dad’s side) house when I was just about 4 years old. They lived in a really small town so it always fascinated me since I grew up in a big city. My grandma was an excellent cook and baker and she always laid on the couch in the afternoons and did the crossword puzzle in the newspaper. Grandpa always called me his favorite granddaughter and I thought that was so awesome, even though I was the ONLY granddaughter. He built us a go-cart and we got to ride it on the Interstate (80) before it was open. Grandma always said ‘Lloyd, don’t take those kids on the Interstate!!’ but he did it anyway, giving us a wink and a smile. 🙂 We sure thought we were hot stuff!!
I admire them most for their strength, courage and tenacity. Grandma was a school teacher and grandpa was a wheat farmer. He only had a 7th grade education because he had to quit school and work to help support his family when he was young. But he was so smart and had more common sense than most people. He could fix anything or come up with a solution to any problem. They survived the dust bowl and the great depression and raised kids in the process. They lived through some really tough times that we can’t even imagine.
I never met my maternal grandfather. He died a couple of years before I was born. My grandma was German and was very quiet and soft spoken. She loved antiques and playing bingo and grew the most gorgeous violets! She lived in an old 2-story house with steep stairs and no air conditioning. She didn’t have a lot but she loved with all her heart.
I have been so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents!!
Lee Anne,
Thanks for being tops in the commenting area; I always enjoy reading what you have to say.
I loved reading all your grandparent memories. I especially liked the one where your grandpa took you out on interstate 80. Not many people can say they rode a go-cart on an interstate. So funny–especially when you and your grandpa were in sneaky cahoots. 🙂
Your grandparents sound like tough, tough people, making it through such difficult times with grace, and courage and tenacity. What an inspiration to all of us!
So fun to read the words about your grandma. I especially liked reading that she lived in “an old, 2-story house with steep stairs and no air conditioning.” So descriptive. I almost feel like I’m there!
*Ahem* *Stepping up to the mic* Wow! What an honor! I am so excited. I would like to thank Becky for writing such a wonderful blog that I look forward to reading each week. I’d also like to thank the Smith/Campbell family and friends for leading such interesting, and often times, funny lives that Becky can write about. Of course, I must thank my Lord for giving me the ability to type and respond to these blogs. And to my parents for giving me life. I will put this award on my mantle. There will be an award, right? Oh, and a mantle? I’ll need a mantle, too, please. Thank you all and God Bless. *steps away from the mic*
I love all of the photo shoot pics. I can’t wait to see more! And the picture of Grandpa and Grandma Smith made me tear up. What a beautiful image. I’m so very glad you were all able to be together.
Much love!!
Krista,
Too funny! Loved your “acceptance speech.” I’ll try to get a mantle in the mail this week. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the photos. And yes, that grandma and grandpa picture makes me tear up, as well.
What WONDERFUL pictures!! I love both the professional shots and the candids that make me want to be there enjoying everything right along with you. And your description of Meagan’s prayer caused my eyes to mist.
My grandparents are part of my earliest memories. There are pictures of me with my paternal grandparents as a baby, on up. From the age of three we lived in the same town and almost always had Sunday dinner after church at there house. I still remember spending the night with them the night before Thanksgiving and New Years so I could watch the parades in on their color TV. We got our first color TV when I was around five so the memories are prior to that.
My maternal grandparents lived about 15 miles from us “up the holler” in a coal mining community (which coincidentally I was reading about online today – Duo, WV. I found an aerial photo of the “town” – 19 houses, the boarding house, company store and church.) They moved to Kinston, NC when I was around 7-8. But I still remember visiting them and Gospel Singing Jubilee being on TV. I also remember spending the night and walking to church with Grandma Wyatt. I’ve linked the picture here – the white “line” between the barn (which I don’t remember) and the houses is the railroad track that ran along their backyard to the coal mine and their house is the closest to the barn in the photo. If you ever get bored and want an insight into coal mining life (mostly in the 50’s and 60’s) check out coalcampusa.com for some interesting history. www.http://www.coalcampusa.com/sowv/green/duo/duo-wv-coal-camp.htm
I hope you have a wonderful week and I’m already looking forward to next week’s post!
Sue Ellen,
I went and read some of the information you left about Duo and southern WV coalfields. I always love learning about history and different places and people.
So funny that you spent the night with your grandparents two times a year so you could watch those big events on a color TV. That must have seemed downright magical to a child! And I know your memories of all those Sunday dinners are precious ones.
It’s wonderful that you pictures with them from when you were so young. Those are treasures–the pictures AND the memories.
Your photo shoot pictures are great, as are the ones at Ken’s rehab facility. Looks like you had a great time. I’m sure Ken and Vernie were so happy to have everyone together.
My maternal grandmother died when I was 4 1/2. One of the only memories I have of her is my mom getting the phone call that she had passed away. One memory of my maternal grandfather was the Christmas gifts he gave after my grandmother died. We always got as a family a basket of oranges and candy – orange slices were always in it as were these chocolate colored cream candies.
Phyllis,
That’s amazing that you remember that phone call at such a young age. It’s so interesting the things a young child can remember.
Seems like “back in the day,” oranges and candy were always the popular choices for gifts. I sort of wish we could go back to giving and receiving simple gifts like that.
Such precious pictures – ones to cherish for years to come. How wonderful for Meagan to offer a word of prayer. That I know would be pressed into my heart and memory for many years. Nathan is blessed in his choice of a godly woman/mother – his wife and children’s mom. Guess I was about 8 or 9 when I remember my grandparents. Used to visit them and ride in the Model T grandpa had and grandma used to use the curling iron and set it inside of a hurricane lamp to heat it before curling our hair. I was 13 years old when my dad’s mother passed away from Cancer.
Sharyn,
Wow. You rode in a Model T? Not many people can make that claim. It must be so interesting throughout your life to see all the changes that have come to automobiles since then.
And I loved the picture you painted of your grandma heating a curling iron inside a hurricane lamp. Pretty creative!
What wonderful memories you will all have of this Christmas. I had tears as you were telling about Megan praying. We were so blessed because my paternal grandma lived about 50 feet from our house, My grandpa died shortly before I was born. My Maternal grandparents lived just across the yard from us, maybe a football field length. So we were in and out of their houses many times a day, I’m sure they were tired of it..haha! But, we also did their daily chores they needed done. Water hauled in, slop pails emptied, dusting and sweeping for them. Oh, the wonderful memories we have of our grandparents, just like you will. Your own family pictures are fabulous! Happy New Year! Wendy
Wendy,
I can’t even imagine living within a few feet of grandparents on both sides. Although I’m sure they had their days when the togetherness was a bit much, the bonds you all forged living so closely must have been truly amazing. And when you said you did chores, you meant REAL chores. Hauling water and emptying slop pails will teach a kid the meaning of hard work. And also the JOY of hard work. You are blessed to have such great memories of those days.
What a wonderful, (but chaotic, I’m guessing) Christmas you had! The photos will be treasures for the great-grandchildren. Hoping your health is improving with your new diagnosis and treatment. Happy New Year!
Liz,
Yep. Wonderful and chaotic are pretty apt words for that week together.
I am going to Duke in two weeks to see a pulmonologist there and get a second opinion. Thanks for asking after my health.
Hey, I made the top commenters list–yay! ?
The pictures in this post are incredibly precious. I’d like to frame every one. So thankful for the time the Smith generations got to spend together and for the memories made that will decorate your hearts till heaven.
Love all you Smith’s so much!
Deb
Deb,
Hooray for you!
Loved the line, “Memories made that will decorate your hearts till heaven.” Sounds like it should be a song.
Love you back!
God has truly blessed you with a lovely family! I see a lot Nathan & Sarah in Nathan’s children! It was worth it to do a [professional family picture. Whoever did it really did a super job!
Joanie,
How lovely to see a name from the past pop up here. We have so many great memories of being at you and Bob’s house!
Yes, it is cool to see family resemblances in the generations. I know you guys have plenty of experience with seeing that in all your grandchildren.
Your posts are awesome and I so enjoy reading them. Again I feel if you put the time into writing then we can at least make a short comment. I only knew one Granddaddy and he passed my junior year in high school. My favorite memory is riding the tractor with him around the farm in the morning when I stayed with them. He made each grandchild feel we were his favorite and there were many arguments about that. ?. So glad you have pictures for the children to see later as y’all tell the stories of those precious people. Pictures are great.
Ann,
You are such a faithful commenter; thank you!!
What a great grandpa you had who would make each of his grandchildren feel special.
And I know it must have been quite the adventure to get to ride around on a tractor with him. Good memories!