Commentary By Danielle Pelkey

The North Jefferson News



Most of my columns are happy-go-lucky, but this week is going to be a little different.

This column is my confession of a guilty mind. I have plenty of things in my past that I have regret for, but none stick out so much to me as the fact that I took my grandmother for granted. I have to clear my conscience and put out a warning for those of you who still have nanas, mimis, grandmas, maw-maws and grandmothers in your lives.

Both of my grandmothers passed away within nine months of each other. They were best friends and wonderful women. But the woman that I took for granted the most was my Maw-Maw, Betty Shaver. It wasn’t until she unexpectedly passed away that I realized how much she had done for me and how little I had done for her.

No one will ever love you like your grandmother. No one will ever care and pray for you like a grandmother will. No matter what anyone else thought about me, Maw-Maw thought I hung the stars. And not just me, all of her grandchildren were perfect in her sight.

Good grandmothers sit on the back deck and laugh at you while you put on impromptu skits with your siblings. They cook your favorite foods and let you drive the car before you’re 16. They tell you stories about your parents that they would never tell themselves. My Maw-Maw even taught me how to do a cartwheel when I tried out for cheerleading. She was such a wonderful woman and was dedicated to God and her family.

She had a saying that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life. It said, “Danielle, you always make time for what is most important to you.” Of course this is what she said when I would make excuses for not seeing her that week.

Now that I look back on it, I would give just about anything in this world to go and sit with my Maw-Maw for another 10 minutes. She was so full of knowledge and interesting facts. I wish that I had spent more time soaking up everything that she said. Instead, I got too busy with work and life. These things are important, but now I still have them and I don’t have my Maw-Maw.

I know this sounds sad. But I have to write this to wake up our readers. Please, notice how important your grandparents are to you. I have never cried so much as I have since my Maw-Maw died. I think of her every morning when I put on make up. She would always let us help her.

She started giving us coffee when we were still on formula as a baby, so every time I pour a cup of coffee, I think of her.

God has taught me a very valuable lesson through all of this and I want to share it with you.

Take time for those that you care about. They are more than worth the time and effort.