This week, I received the news that my grandmother, Meg Muller, passed away. She was 94 years old and lived a long life, but I tear up when I realize she is really gone. She was my maternal grandmother and was the last of my grandparents to pass, so that brings an extra bit of sadness to my heart as well. She often asked how Amy Adele was going when I talked to her and was very supportive of my artwork. My artistic flare comes through her lineage! Her mother was an artist, Meg was an artist, my mother was an artist, and now I am! She was the one who sat me down with her easel and paints and showed me how to paint as a little girl! She was my only art teacher, actually. We only did that a few times but I still have the paintings. Meg loved the beach and was a master at painting sand dunes and their grasses. Some of her paintings were in local art shops. I grew up only a few miles from her and my grandfather in Virginia. I called them Grandaddy and Meg. I know it might seem unusual to call my grandmother by her first name but it seemed normal to me because that’s all I’ve ever knew. She had five children and I was her youngest grandchild. Since she lived so close to us, she was a big part of my childhood and I have many memories of spending time with her.
I would often spend a whole day with her and Grandaddy, going to local festivals and eating dinner in their big sunroom. At night she and I would steal away and watch TV shows in her little den. She would patiently watch all my singing shows in her basement where I would belt out (way too loudly) “It’s a Hard Knock Life” (from Annie) or “Do-Re-Mi” (from The Sound of Music). She always hosted Thanksgiving dinner every year and I loved going over to her house before the rest of the family arrived. I would help her set all the tables that were scattered about her house. Actually, I remember celebrating every holiday with her and my mother’s extended family. She was always supportive and loving towards me as I grew up and with whatever choices I made and with whatever I was doing. I could see the love she had for me in the twinkle in her eyes, in the squeeze in her hugs and in her sweet little smile. I love her so very much and I will miss her dearly.