My grief is so big I feel like it will just swallow me up. My grandma was 4’9 but the hole she has left on me feels like 8 feet of loss and so I weep. When my grandma took her last breath on August 5th I feel like I haven’t been able to breathe since. At 103 years old my naivety and her determination made me believe she would live forever. And now I’m left with half of my heart in another place. Today I decided to share some of my favorite parts of my grandma in hopes that she is never forgotten here. Izora prentice loved sewing and thrifting, and assorted nuts. She loved teddy bears and jewelry and she believed in God so fiercely I began to believe in him too. She taught English for 30+ years, and was the first person to teach me cursive, which was her font of choice. She could cook a southern meal like no other, my favorite were her smoked beans with fatback with a huge piece of jiffy cornbread. She did push ups at 93 every single day and drove her car with satin flowers in the rear window to every grocery store in town looking for the best deal. She gave me 7,000 dollars to study abroad and told me to swear not to tell anyone. I didn’t. She went to church every Sunday and once was caught speeding on the way there, the police officer let her go when he saw she was born in 1919. She loved coffee and once a year, a burger from Burger King that she only paid for with coupons. We played scrabble and she taught us the value of education. She would say awww when she hugged you and would never miss a chance to say “I love you and I’m praying for you”. We called her Momma. She was the strongest woman I’ve ever met, I am happy she finally is getting a chance to rest. I know she is up there right now with a big white hat and sharp matching two piece set, rings on every finger. I know she is keeping everyone in line just like she did down here. Until we meet again Momma. 🕊♥️ Sunrise February 8, 1919 Sunset August 5, 2022