I have wanted to sit down and write this tribute to Grandma Coleata Gaines for some time, but all of the ideas that I came up with seemed to somehow end up being more about me. I finally arrived at the conclusion that the influence that someone has upon you, and the different ways that they have affected you during your life, is very much a part of who that person is for you.My first memory of Grandma Gaines, and as far as I can recollect my first memory altogether, was a family trip that we took to Nebraska after we had returned from England. I can still remember waking up in the car alone. My cheek had been pressed into the plastic covering of the car seats, and I had a funny feeling on my face where I had fallen asleep. I had remembered my parents saying that we were going to visit my grandparents, but I had no memory of them because it had been awhile since our last visit. I must have been about 4. I can remember how I peeked from the front window of the car into the house. It was growing dark outside and there were voices and lights coming from inside. It was one of those glorious feelings that you get after a good nap sometimes, knowing that you have some exciting things to do later on. It was also a curious emotion, knowing that you are about to meet your grandparents, but you can't quite remember them.
I know that at some point I woke up enough to get out of the car, walk up the short driveway and open the front door to the house. The house inside was brightly lit up, and my mom and dad were seated around the dinner table with my Grandma and Grandad. My arrival at the dining room was greeted with "look who woke up!". This is years before the time that I might have answered back to my parents "look who left me sleeping on my own in the car! LOL ;)
I remember getting seated and watching a plate and eating utensils magically appear before me. The next thing that I recall was Grandma looking at me, and telling me that she had heard that I loved corn. She proceeded to pick up my plate and gave me a large serving of corn with butter. Now I don't know where she had secured this advance information on my eating habits, but I was completely satisfied at her choice of a food offering to me, and I realized at that moment that I had a friend on the inside, and one who was looking out for my best interests.
I always recall receiving her many letters and cards at every holiday season. Her hand writing was always so clear and even from a young age I can remember being able to read it easily. It always seemed that the person on the other end of those letters understood me, and I realize that she obviously had a great understanding of school kids. Her job as a grade school teacher was something that I could relate to at a young age, and we often talked about her classes and students.
I would like to try and let my family know what a real wonderland Grandma and Grandad's house by the lake was for me. I can remember the trouble that my cousin Jeff and I caused there after breaking the zipper on Grandad's precious personal sauna because we were attempting to play hide and seek inside of it. I can remember rowing my sister Sarah around on a boat in the lake, and I can remember thinking how lucky my Grandad and Grandma were to have such a wonderful home.
Grandma I miss you. You will always be in my heart, and never far from my thoughts. I loved you on this earth and at this time, I cannot but keep on loving you.
It is hard not being able to be with my family at this time. I know that most of you were gathered together at this special time and it was hard not to be able to take part. It is important for me to let you know, that as one of Grandma's Honorary Pallbearers, she is missed by me very much. I have prayed for her for many years, prayed for her during her time of sickness, and now after her death, pray for her soul to find a comfortable resting place in the next world.
I miss all of you so much, and I wanted you to know that many of your names cross my lips in prayer each night as well.
My warmest regards to everyone. I wanted to sit and write each and every name but I thought that if I forgot one, or confused someone, it would be inappropriate.
Conveying my condolences from the Holy Land of Israel,
Mathyu
