My Grandma the Pole Vaulter

She smiled all of the time. Really. A smile never left her lips, even when she went to sleep. She loved flowers, birds, costume jewelry, and her family. Brightly colored broaches and clip on earrings always adorned my Grandma Shockley. She was a truly beautiful soul, and I will miss her terribly.

Hope Shockley

You see, my grandmother’s funeral service was Monday afternoon. She passed away Friday afternoon. She was 94.

Tinia Hope Shockley was born in in 1914 in Arkansas. She was the youngest of 9 children. It has been said that her mother named her Tinia, because she was so tiny when she was born. Her family was very poor, and her mother fell ill after giving birth to her. So, her brothers and sisters took care of her. She was so tiny, her they would put her in a shoe box in a drawer to keep her warm and safe when she was first born.

Hope, Louise Goode (her best friend), and a very young Purple Lemon Kelly

It really is amazing how many world changing events she lived through…The Great Depression, World War I, World War II, The Vietnam Conflict. The list goes on. That really is hard for me to wrap my head around sometimes. I wished I has asked her more questions about herself.

My grandma was a feisty broad. So many descriptions of her come to mind. Professional basketball player. Red Cross Volunteer in World War II. Pole Vaulter. Quilter. Lover of the Arts. Magical Orchid Grower. Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Maker. Bird Lover and Maven. World Traveler. Glass Bottle Collector. Best friend to Louise. Loving Wife. Loving Mother. Loving Grandmother.

I have many memories of my grandmother that are so vivid, even after many years. I remember on one of our visits to my grandmother’s house, my mom walking in the house after she had been out running errands. The comical scene unfolded before her as the white cloud of flour settled. She found a very young Purple Lemon Brother, Andrew, and Kelly standing in chairs around the dinner table rolling out Christmas sugar cookies. The table sat on carpet. Everything was covered in flour. You get where I am going with this? To say there was a huge mess is an understatement. My grandmother knew that we were having the best time, so she didn’t say a word. She was being a very good grandma.

Gisela Nikodem, Hope, Louise

It really is very weird to realize how much I am like my grandmother as I write this post. I love flowers so much I majored in horticulture in college. I have bird feeders galore at my house. I love to cook and to craft. I guess a part of her soul and being has slowly crept into mine over the years.

You can see why I will miss her so much. I could tell you a hundred more stories about her that would warm your heart. She loved my brother and me so much. I have such comfort though, knowing that she is in a much better place than this earth. She is with her Lord. She is no longer in pain, and the realities of old age will no longer burden her body as she is made new in heaven. I’m sure she is up in heaven taking it by storm.

Hugs and Kisses Grandma Shockley. I can’t wait to see you again.