"Gun Powder and Lead" and "Softly and Tenderly"?

I don't know about you, but songs not only take me back to certain times in my life; they also remind me of certain people in my life.  For instance, "Sisters" by Reba McIntyre reminds me of my sister, Amanda, of course, and  "International Harvester" by Craig Morgan reminds me of my husband, Thomas, partly because he works a lot and is a complete country boy and partly because he sings and dances to it when it comes on in the car (it's definitely a site to see). I could go on with others, but there is one in particular I can't seem to assign just one song to....my grandmother, Doris Martin.  It's kind of funny because when I hear the songs "Gun Powder and Lead" by Miranda Lambert and the old hymn "Softly and Tenderly" my mind automatically thinks of her.  Two completely opposite ends of the spectrum, but two songs that definitely describe her to me.

I called to check on my grandma to check on her tonight, and when I got off the phone with her, I really started thinking about what all she means to me.  I don't want to get mushy or anything, but I do want to tell you about her because she is an amazing woman.

At 5'2" and a whopping 98lbs, she is one of the strongest women I know.  She's a little slower to get her feathers ruffled as she's getting older, but she can still be a stick of dynamite when you touch the hot points.  I guess that's why the Miranda Lambert song, "Gun Powder and Lead" reminds me of her.  She's a sweet, country, God-fearing woman, but mess with her family and you'll regret crossing her path.  :) 

She's strong because of what she's been through in her life and because she's got God in her life to give her strength through every battle she faces......that's why the song "Softly and Tenderly" reminds me of her.  She told me once is was one of her favorite songs, and I can see why.  It's a beautiful song that talks about God's redeeming love and mercy.

Family is at the heart of who she is.  She's been a preacher's wife her entire life and raised 4 kids, but she didn't stop there.  You'd think a "soccer mom's" job is done once her kids are grown, but not for my grandma.  She willingly picked up my cousins, my sister and me from school so we didn't have to ride the bus.  She also picked me up everyday in the summer when I went to an art camp one year.  She still picks up my cousin's son from school when he needs a way home.  And she's always had her door open for family to stay when they were going through things in their life and needed somewhere to go.

I grew up in the house right next door to my grandma so when I would get mad at my parents, I'd go over there to vent.  She had this calmness and patience about her.  I remember her sitting in her chair or either playing Scramble at the table with my great-grandma as I was walking in.  She'd take one look at me and ask me what was wrong....then I would "unleash the beast" so to speak while she calmly listened.  She wouldn't say much, but somehow she had this way of calming me down.  Even now as an adult, I know if I call her about something that's bothering me, she has a way of making me feel calm......like everything is going to be okay.  When I start to feel like I'm crazy or everything is falling down on me and I can't take it anymore, I think of her and all she's been through in her life.....then I know I'm going to be okay.  She's the rock in a bag of nuts if you want to think of it that way.  LOL! 

I'm proud that the same blood that runs through her veins runs through mine.  I'm a better person today because of her.  She is the rock and the cornerstone of our family.  She'll leave a legacy behind that will far surpass the riches of this world.  She's my grandmother, and I love her.

I could go on and on, but I don't want your eyes to start bleeding from reading so much, so here's a picture of the most amazing woman I know with my sister, another amazing woman, at her wedding a little over a year ago. PS:  She'd kill me if she knew I posted this picture.  :)

Proverbs 31:28-31
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.