I was probably 4 or 5 years old at the time, standing by one of Dad's beloved Studebaker. Taken at our house in Atlanta.

The Charleston

My aunts did the Charleston for us every Christmas Eve. That's Polly on the left and Mae on the right, in their Christmas finery.

Granny Hawkins

This is one of the most touching snapshots I own. This is my Aunt Mae and her mother, my grandmother, Malvie Hawkins.

Granny, as she was known to me, died when I was five, in 1955. She suffered from dementia - whether it was Alzhiemer's or not, I do not know. She was pretty young to have had AD (65), but I suppose should could have had it that young. It seems more likely it was a vascular type of dementia because she did have very high blood pressure.

Mae was never married. When I was 2, we moved in with her and my grandmother so that Mom could help take care of Granny. Mom finally sold the house 50 years later.

I barely remember my grandmother. She had eleven children, all born at home and most born without a doctor present. None of them died, and all were healthy. Most lived into their 70's and 80's. One, my Aunt Polly, died in March of last year at the age of 96.

This photo embodies a tenderness and love that moves me to tears. How I miss those folks, Aunt Mae, Polly, Gladys and of course, Mom.

Thank goodness I have these photos to remember them.

In Memory

In Memory of my mother:

Nell Miller. April 27, 1923-January 1, 2005.

Gladys Fields, her sister; February 11, 1919-January 6, 2000.