There aren’t many people that can say they got to see a great grandparent or even a great-great grandparent, but I was blessed to spend 31 years of my life with my great-grandmother “Mamaw Cole” who was Harper’s great-great-grandmother and is where Harper’s middle name came from (along with Papaw Cole). For 18+ months of Harper Cole’s life, he was part of 5 living generations spanning down the Cole family tree. Simply an amazing blessing.

Mamaw Cole was full of love, laughs, hugs, kisses, smacks pats on the cheek, candy, and all of the stuff that makes grandmothers “great”…but most of all she was full of faith. She loved the Lord and wanted to share Jesus with everyone she knew. More than anything she wanted to make sure her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends were saved. You see…she wanted to be more than a mother, grandmother, relative or friend. She wanted to be a sister in Christ. She wanted to join everyone she knew in the glory of Heaven one day. That was her dying desire…she literally wept at the thought of “lost” family members and friends…because for those unsaved, all that Kate Cole would be is a mother, grandmother, relative, or friend.

Mamaw wanted to give the gift of salvation to everyone she knew…but unfortunately she couldn’t simply “give” it as easily as a piece of Bazooka bubble gum, Double Bubble, or a Blow Pop. The gift of salvation comes as a personal decision…it takes all of the heart, but it’s a decision that can be made in a heartbeat. Mamaw planted the seed of faith in an untold number of people and she was blessed to see many of those people accept Christ during their life and know that she’d one day see them again…the blessed assurance.

Mamaw Cole’s funeral service was a beautiful celebration of her life and a magnificent testimony to God. Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects, share stories, and witness God’s work through this wonderful little lady. I heard numerous people say, “When I go, this is exactly how I’d like to be remembered.” For those that were there…you know what I mean. For those that weren’t, I simply can’t describe the feelings and emotions during that funeral service, but I can say it was the most powerful and God-inspired service I have ever experienced. The impact she had on people’s lives was simply breathtaking.

And yes…when I go, “that’s exactly how I want to be remembered”.

For 3 years, Mamaw’s children cared & provided for her in order to keep her out of a nursing home. They endured more than I could ever imagine with unconditional love and I simply cannot thank them enough for what they did. Through their efforts, Mamaw got to see her great-great grandson be born…experience his first laughs…witness his dedication in the church…see his First Christmas…be there (over 200 miles away) for his first birthday…and so much more. God blessed her with loving children that helped keep her with us and creating many wonderful memories I’ll never forget.

So…as I wipe away the tears, manage a slight smile in the corner of my mouth, and thank God for the love…the memories…and the faith that was Mamaw Cole….I remember what she’d always say when I would tell her “I love you”. She’d reply with “I love you more.” Well, Mamaw…I love you most.

Finally…I want to share this video of her making Harper Cole laugh when he was 4 months old. It was one of the first times that he laughed out loud…and it was all for his sweet, great-great-grandmother. She’d always hold him and say, “Mamaw loves somebody.”

Mamaw…these somebodies will always love you, too….