my grandmother

spirit. when one hears that word, they might think of a football game. or think of someone spunky.
tonight. for the first time in close to a year, i visited my mamaw. she has been standing up against alzheimers for many, many years. she has progressed very, very slowly and we've watched her life transition in ways that have been very challenging. After watching her change so much over the past few years, it's sometimes hard to see the positive. i was reminded tonight that we all are born with a spirit. we are each handed life and with that we are to find our direction and path and our spirit strengthens us. with not much left with my grandma's life, her spirit is very much alive. she still has a look in her eyes that reminds you that her heart remembers who you are. it's almost as if, when she looks at you, love rushes through her. i told her that she looked pretty in the pink shirt she was wearing. i told her that i loved her. i just simply said, "hi mamaw". each time, the corner of her mouth turned upward and i swear she was trying her best to smile. those simple kinds words touched her in a way that didn't seem possible at first glance of her. a true reminder that her spirit knows and can feel the warmth in simple words. i truly believe that she knows what love feels like. i pray that love fills her until she falls asleep. i love you mamaw and i know your spirit will forever comfort me.