On July 1, 1923, my great grandmother, Christine Gray Patrick, came into this world. If only I could go back in time to meet the girl, the woman she was. I knew the older lady, who collected dolls in her tiny apartment, with her cats and the AC freezing everyone out. I remember the sweet lady my Mammy would go pick up for Doctor’s appointments and going to bring her groceries.

She had the sweetest voice with her Kentucky accent. I remember her talking about Jesus, as if He lived next door.

Christine was only a girl herself when she had her little Ann. She gave birth as a 16 year old in a small cabin in the hills of Kentucky.

It was almost like they grew up together and later, Ann became like a mother to her mama. I used to hear so many stories from my Mammy about her childhood, driving her mom crazy.

Gramma Chris was a classy woman through and through, while her wild, red-headed, daughter, was just that- wild. She once hid in a tree all day instead of going to school. She ran around with her uncle’s, who were more like cousins, so close in age, and snuck cigarettes behind the shed. Such a tomboy was her daughter, Ann. Although she was a tomboy, she sure loved babies and could not wait to be a mama herself one day. That was her dream. A dream she would live out.

Another cute story my Mammy has told me is how she had the neighbor boys convinced her mother was a movie star. So, she’d tell them they can come over and see her for a nickel a piece. It was believable because of her classic beauty.

Christine passed away on February 18, 1996. Her daughter, Ann, loved and cared for her in the end. It brings me joy to know they are together again, holding hands and having no more pain and sorrow. Only happiness, and dancing with Jesus.