Goodbye, Mama-mama

_MAL0274.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

This morning at 6:40 A.M., my maternal grandmother Etha Johanaber Howard died peacefully in her bed, surrounded by her loved ones.

My “mama-mama” was a role model in my early life. She exemplified the virtues of love, compassion, patience, and hard work. The holidays we spent at my grandparents’ home in Dallas are some of the happiest memories of my childhood. Etha suffered several strokes in recent years that left her body and mind diminished; but I‘ll always remember the thoughtful, kind and dryly witty character who could communicate volumes in a wink or a glance.

The last time I saw my grandmother was two months ago in Dallas, when the family gathered at my aunt Melanie’s home to celebrate Thanksgiving. The photo above shows Etha getting to know her great granddaughter Evelyn, as my mother Alaire and sister-in-law Kelly look on. Evelyn is my brother Ethan’s daughter and she is the first of her generation in our family.

Mama-mama was a dear friend, loving grandmother, and an important person in my life. She will be sorely missed!