This month I’m sharing people who have influenced me in big and small ways. I call them artists, using this definition of art: Art is what happens when you dare to be who you really are; when what is most alive in you is offered as a gift to others.
When we asked her what Presidents she remembered, she starting thinking back. “Well let’s see. I remember President Wilson . . .” and I immediately had to Google the dates of his term: 1913 – 1921.
She was born in 1913, barely a year after the Titanic sank and only a year before World War I began. She’s John’s grandmother, and we call her Budder because years ago, one of the grand kids couldn’t say grandmother. Instead it came out budder and that’s what stuck.
She lives near Memphis so we don’t see her as often as we’d like to, but every time we get together, we end up asking her to tell us stories about her life. She’s delighted to share even as she doubts it’s very interesting. Like the time she told us when Elvis used to ask the football coach at the local high school if he would turn the stadium lights on late at night so he and his friends could throw the football around.
“So if you drove by the stadium late at night and see those lights on, you’d know Elvis was in there playing football with his friends.”
Sharing her with you today, I can’t possibly sum up over a hundred years of life. She doesn’t have a cool website, an impressive bio, or a slick headshot (although she bears a striking resemblance to Maggie Gyllenhaal if you ask me).
She loves her family, prays for each one of us every day, volunteers in her community, and is happiest when she is simply be in the room with those she loves. Budder is famous in her own community and in our family simply by being herself and faithfully supporting others in prayer.
When she turned 100, her local news station featured her and that story ended up being seen and shared by hundreds of thousands of people. The video is no longer available, but the end sums up Budder’s life perfectly. As she walks away from the camera with two workers at the hospital, you can hear her say, “I want y’all to be interviewed!”
That’s why Budder is an artist who influences.
Today is the 16th post in a month-long series called Artists Who Influence (click for a complete list of artists).
What a beautiful post and story about your “budder.” I know you don’t get to see her often, but what a blessing it is for your children to have this lady in their lives. She is an artist in her own way and one that definitely influences whether she realizes it or not. Thanks for sharing a piece of her life with us here today, Emily. I’m enjoying this series so very much!
What a sweet and precious woman (and legacy!). I think this is my favorite one of your 31 days yet.
Sarah M
Your writing is like prose poetry: it packs such an emotional punch in a small amount of words. All of your artist stories have touched me- what a great honor you are paying them.
This made me tear up at my desk this morning — what a sweet legacy for you and your children. And I agree, the best part is the last thing she says … (I’m enjoying this series — hope you’re doing well!)
So sweet! What a legacy!
Thank you so much for sharing Budder! She is priceless-
Beautiful woman-
Oh what a treasure she is! And how she mentions wanting to interview the others? Priceless.
I hadn’t thought about this in years, but my beloved Mema Rea was a pink lady at our hospital too. She adored that work, and heaven only knows how far her influence reached as an artist there.
Beautiful tribute of a beautiful artist, Emily. xo
I’m working hard to see the art/artists in my life and those around me – thanks for your examples and point of view.
We had Chinese food for lunch and, of course, fortune cookies at the end. We always tell our kids not to put much stock in “their” fortunes. Today one of them read, “Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.” Hmm. Made me think of you …
She is precious. She reminds me of my own grandmother who is 94. When watching Budder, I thought that I hope I have 50 more years of good health and service to give to the Lord.
What a fabulous legacy! I love it! It’s such a beautiful testimony to see how someone’s slow, quiet consistency in the seemingly small things has had an enormous impact on their world. It’s such a good reminder to remain faithful and do everything as unto the Lord. Thank you so much for sharing this story with all of us. It’s my favorite in the series so far. <3