Willie Mae Randolph, my mother-in-law, passed away on October 1, 2018.

I missed her particularly this Mother’s Day. I couldn’t take her out shopping or run errands with her. We didn’t go over the menu of what she would be bringing for dinner. I missed her loud voice. I missed her laughing.

Miss Mae, as I called her, was the most generous woman I ever met because she always gave us the most precious gift that one could give… her time.

She crocheted beautiful blankets of all sizes — baby blankets, twin, queen, even an over-sized king. She would sit in front of the tv and crochet. One little needle made so many blankets. It made her so happy to present these creations to those she loved. Those blankets continue to keep us warm and are great reminders of how much she loved us.

She was so generous in the time she spent cooking. She loved to feed people, and she could REALLY cook. Mac-and-cheese was her specialty…but so was sweet potato pie, baked beans, corned beef, salmon cakes, German chocolate cake. She knew all our favorites and was happy to make them for us. I miss her cooking.

She was also generous in her gift giving — always thoughtful of the sick, birthdays, graduations, baby showers, holidays, and even funerals.  She wasn’t always able to attend the functions, but she always sent a card with a little something in it. I miss her generosity.

When Dallas Jr., her son, passed away, she was profoundly sad. But thank God for her grandchildren. They really brought her joy. She would light up when they were around. She was so proud of them. She loved to share their news with anyone who would listen. All the kids loved Grandma Mae. She is missed at every milestone.

She was stronger that I ever gave her credit for. With all the death and pain she had endured in her almost 79 years, how did she get up every morning and do all of these things for her family? I wish I had asked her how she did it. I aspire to find her strength.

Miss Mae, you are loved and truly missed.