O Bla Di, O Bla Da

Hahahahahahah. Now you have that song in your head....


When X was a young girl, the show with that theme song came on Sunday nights - remember Corky? We LOVED it and watched it when it was on. We called it O Bla Di Bla Da because we could never remember the actual title. Why are there no reruns?

I found myself thinking of Lilly this morning. Not little Lilly, but grandmother Lilly. We met Lilly at church in New Jersey, about 15 years ago, the sweetest eighty something little lady you ever could meet. Why she popped into my thoughts this morning, I don't know. But she did, and it made me smile. She lived in town with her son and his family. She needed rides to and from church, as well as to and from choir practice on Tuesday nights. On church mornings, I would load the kids in the car, then swing into town to get Lilly. I would knock on the door and she would sing, "Cooooommee iiiinnnn". And then, "Can you do this for me?" (and she would giggle like a little girl). I would connect the clasp of her necklace and zip the rest of her dress, help her with her coat. She was always dressed to the nines, and looked sharp for a little old lady. Then she would gather up her gloves, her bible, and hat, take my arm and out we would go to the car. Lilly would slowly get in the front seat, which was always reserved for Miss Lilly and I would help with the seat belt. Then, giggling, she would turn to the kids in the back and sing her hello and ask how they all were doing.

When we got to church, she and I would head for the choir section. Lilly loved to sing. She was a little hard of hearing. Well, okay, a lot hard of hearing, so she didn't always sing on tune, and sometimes had impromtu solos in the rests, but that didn't stop her from belting out the song. She LOVED to sing. The rest of us would chuckle sometimes, but we didn't mind. Not like we were performing for the Queen, and the congregation loved Miss Lilly. She was an unabashed flirt.

On Tuesday nights after choir practice I'd have to swing by McDonalds for her on the way home. I am trying to remember what it was she got each night - I think a McFish sandwich and small fries. She always asked if I wanted something, but I had dinner with my family before practice. Stopping at McDonalds was probably her treat for the week.

We did a few things together for the three or so years my life was graced with her...she came over for lunch after church, or we went out to Friendlys, or maybe shopping. We chatted, and she would talk of life with her husband, her nieces, nephews, granchildren, and many other stories. If she needed something she would call me, but it wasn't too often. She had a fondness for X, and always remembered her birthday, even when X went to college, and we moved away. Lilly was one of those people who had grace. She passed lots of years ago, but I'll never forget her. I learned from her, how to live. How to enjoy what you can, and not let obstacles destroy opportunities. How to keep on going and more importantly, smile and ask after others even when your feet ache with each step. Lilly was my grandmother - my mentor.

After we left, I spoke with another friend there, a choir companion. She had taken up the task of taxiing Lilly to church and choir practice. But Amy complained about it. Did she not see Lilly as I did? As a gift? Well, what a shame, and her loss, for sure.

And that is the story of Lilly, my grandmother, a woman of grace and love, an example of living in joy, even when living was painful...

Thank you Lilly, wherever you are.

Peace