Recognizing the Foundation of My Family

“It’s amazing how I—a smart, educated woman—was born on a day that was designated for fools.”

—Lynn Agnes Coleman, 1906-1984

 

 

Hi, Everyone!

 

If the aforementioned quote sounds familiar, then you’ve probably read my blog posts about my great grandmother, Lynn Agnes Coleman. Today, I take time out from my busy academic schedule and recognize what would have been her 109^th Birthday. Having said that, in honor of Great Gramma Lynn, I’m actually wearing my favorite long-sleeved lavender dress on today, and I’m also writing with a purple pen.

 

In case you missed that, Great Gramma Lynn loved purple!

 

And I just thought about a story that Gramma Jewel told with such fondness. She said that she and Great Aunt Reesie loved to stake out in the hallway and watch Great Gramma Lynn cook Sunday dinner. Great Gramma Lynn didn’t mind them watching, so long as they didn’t get in the way. Well, one particular Sunday, Gramma Jewel wanted to sneak a little batter from a mixing bowl… and this is where it gets funny: Gramma Jewel said she had carefully and remarkably snuck past Great Gramma Lynn and was about to sneak some batter, but Great Gramma Lynn grabbed her wooden spoon and almost popped Gramma Jewel with it. Gramma Jewel also pointed out that she was afraid of wooden spoons, even to this day… hahahaha!

 

Well, y’all, that’s today’s blog post, but in closing, I would like to say to wish a Happy #109 to Great Gramma Lynn. I know that she’s celebrating it real good up in Glory, but her legacy continues to live on through all of us.

 

 

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Recognizing the 108th Birthday of An Icon

Hi, Everyone!

Today’s blog post is very special, because it was on the day that my great grandmother, Lynn Agnes Coleman, was born. If she were alive today, she would be 108 years old.

I think I mentioned in several past blog posts that everytime my Great Gramma Lynn’s birthday rolled around, she would say: “It never ceases to amaze me how a smart, educated woman like myself would be born on a day that is purely designated for fools!” I’ve even talked about how she was a pioneer in my family. The legacy of continuing education began with Great Gramma Lynn. Oh, sure—there were other women who broke barriers back in the day, but it does my heart proud to know that I am a descendant of a woman who not only broke barriers, but also paved the way for everyone in my family to continue our education and be the best that we could be. It also does my heart good and well to know that the Rust College legacy and lineage began with my Great Gramma Lynn.

I could go on and on about the precious legacy of my great grandmother, but I’d much rather let you read all about her in a blog that I posted a couple months ago, simply entitled “The Legacy of Lynn Agnes Coleman.” Oh, but one thing that I do need to mention: Great Gramma Lynn’s favorite color was purple, and it makes so much sense, considering that my favorite color is lavender.

So, I guess there was a hidden agenda as to why I chose the purple flower for today’s blog post—either that, or Great Gramma Lynn’s spirit is speaking through me.

Smooches,

Natasha

The Legacy of Lynn Agnes Coleman

Happy Friday, Everybody!

As I promised on yesterday, I have a very special blog post for all-a-y’all, and just like mail carriers and pizza drivers, I do deliver. With that said, I am dedicating today’s blog post to a legendary figure in my family, my great grandmother Lynn Agnes Coleman.

I’ve been wanting to dedicate a blog post to my Great grandmother for the longest time, and I also find it quite apropos that this is Black History Month—it’s amazing how things work out like that! You know, I’ve always admired the contributions of legends such as Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisholm, and First Lady Michelle Obama, but it makes me that much more special to know that there are prominent figures in my very own family… and Great Gramma Lynn is one of those figures!

Great Gramma Lynn was born an only child on April 1, 1906 in Ruleville, Mississippi, to Horace & Bernice Brown. The other day, I made mention about the struggle of receiving a great education for African-Americans. Well, Great Gramma Lynn was a pioneer in her day, as she was the very first one in my family to not only further her education past Sixth Grade, but she also became the first family member in history to attend a higher learning institution. I know I have shared on countless occasions that Great Gramma Lynn planted the seed of furthering education; well, in so doing, she birthed the Rust College legacy, having graduated from Rust in 1928 with a degree in Sociology.

From the lovely reflections that I hear from Gramma Jewel, Great Aunt Reesie, my mom, and my aunts and uncles, I can tell that Great Gramma Lynn was truly a legend in her own time. Allow me to be bold enough to make this statement: Long before there was the Vipress (LOL), there was Great Gramma Lynn! She was stern but sweet, hard-hitting but soft-spoken, and according to Gramma Jewel, she was quick with a wooden spoon… hahaha! I’ve even heard stories of how Great Gramma Lynn rarely got angry, but when she did, it was nothin’ nice. However, she was a devoted woman—to God first and her husband and two daughters second. She worked very hard to make sure that her family got the best of the best, and she was also a sharp dresser!

And I know I’ve shared this story numerous times, but I love it just as much: Everytime Great Gramma Lynn’s birthday came around, she would say: “I still find it ironic that I, a smart and educated woman, would be born on a day designed for fools!”

Great Gramma Lynn went home to be with The Lord on July 23, 1984, where she was surrounded by Gramma Jewel, Great Aunt Reesie, and Grampa Clark. It was said that after she made a peaceful transition, her likeness was formed in the clouds, thus solidifying that she had truly made it over.

Today, Great Gramma Lynn’s legacy continues to live throughout all of the women in my family—and when I say “all,” I mean ALL! Y’all know that we adopted Becky last year... and that reminds me: Becky’s thinking about changing her name to either Jones or Coleman, as an homage to us.

I guess Great Gramma Lynn’s words of wisdom still ring true: “Goodheartedness produces goodheartedness—it gives above and beyond, and it never asks for anything in return, because it gives straight from the heart.”

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Ode to Great Gramma Lynn

Hello, Everybody!

Today, I am willing to take a break from the norm and dedicate this blog to someone very special—my great grandmother Lynn Agnes Coleman.

It was exactly 29 years ago on this very day that my Great Gramma Lynn went home to be with The Lord. Though I never met her personally, I feel in my spirit like we were introduced years ago. If y’all remember, I had written a paper in my Grammar & Comp I class on about my Great Gramma Lynn, and I received an “A” on it. I’ve seen pictures of Great Gramma Lynn, and I could tell that she was just the most vibrant woman with a beautiful spirit.

My Gramma Jewel was witness to Great Gramma Lynn’s transition, and she recounts everything that happened on that fateful day. The following is an excerpt from Gramma Jewel’s memoirs:

It was very peaceful in Mama’s hospital room. I happened to glance out the window and see the clouds fill the afternoon Nashville sky. A bird landed on the window of Mama’s hospital room and tweeted its sweet song.

“I’m ready when You are, O Lord!” Mama called out, squeezing our hands as if she wanted us to guide her to the pearly gates.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I still had a smile on my face. Reesie tried in vain to fight back her tears, as she looked at Mama and said, “Give my love to Daddy when you get up there.”

“I will, Sweetheart,” Mama whispered. “And thank you for takin’ such good care of me. The Lord gon’ bless you real good for that.”

Mama then turned to me with a great big smile and said, “My sweet, stubborn little Delta Jewel—you are definitely your mama’s child. Continue sparklin’, Baby.”

And then she lightly bopped me on the top of my head. I just chuckled and said, “Thanks, Mama.”

I thought about the Bible verse that talks about the twinkling of an eye—that’s exactly how quick it was when Mama went home to Glory. She first mentioned something about a marvelous light, and then she closed her eyes. Once Mama took her last breath, Reesie and I nodded at each other.

“I think she made it home safely, Jewel,” Reesie said, trying not to break down.

“I know she did,” I replied as I closed my eyes and leaned into Clark’s hug.

When Clark, Reesie, and I left the hospital, we looked up at the cloudy sky and saw an image of Mama’s face—just more affirmation that Mama made it over.

That is such a beautiful story, and everytime I hear it, I get chills. I mean, to witness a transition from this life to life everlasting, and then to see Great Gramma Lynn’s likeness in the clouds—I’m very sure that Gramma Jewel, Grampa Clark, and Great Aunt Reesie will forever cherish such a poignant, peaceful memory.

There’s only one way to close this blog: Great Gramma Lynn’s legacy continues to live on in each and every one of us. As I mentioned once or twice, I’m sure that she’s up there in Heaven, with a great big smile on her face!

Until tomorrow, y’all take care.

Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha

A Good Grade On My "Great Gramma Lynn" Essay

Hi, Everyone!

I just got my composition back from my professor, and… well, listen to what he wrote:

“Natasha, this is a Grade-A paper. You did more than tell a story about your great-grandmother—you painted a picture where I could easily visualize her love, determination, and sincerity. I'm sure she is very proud of you. Great job!”

My essay received a 95 out of a possible 100… hey, I ain’t complainin’.

Like everything else in life, there were corrections and suggestions. For one thing, my professor said that I had a tendency to use the words “really” and “truly” to the point where they lost their meaning. He also suggested that I write my next essay about my Gramma Jewel, seeing as how I teased a little about her life. His exact words were: “I gotsta know about your Gramma Jewel.”

Oh, and he also appreciated the fact that I was the only student who was bold enough to create a cover page—hey, I’ve always been one to go that extra mile.

I’m sure that Great Gramma Lynn is up there in Heaven, with a great big smile on her face!

Well, if you all will excuse me, I’ve got another essay to write. It has to be five hundred words, double-spaced, and 12-point font. I have no problems with the word count—I’m more concerned with my essay making sense. As for the subject, I must discuss what makes my hometown so great.

Considering that I’m a “Cali Girl,” this essay should be fairly easy!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha