Claire

Our sweet baby Claire should be so honored so have such an amazing namesake. My grandmother's name was Claire, and was absolutely a stunning woman.


She was a Southern Belle. A Georgia Peach. A Sorority Girl. A Beauty Queen. She always seized the moment and took advantage of every opportunity. She was a mentor, a critic and a friend. She nurtured, she played, she taught. She always had a full dance card, was forever young (if even only at heart,) she loved to love and she loved to live. When Molly was only three years old, she asked our grandma if her wrinkles hurt. She responded "Wrinkles only hurt on the inside."

She was raised in the old tradition where etiquette and social grace were of high importance. She always wanted to put her best foot forward, and began that each and every day with a regimen of a good brush of the hair and a sharp color of lipstick. Nearly 30 years before she passed, she began a three-page list of instructions for caring for her as she aged. Without a doubt, the top of the list included that she must always have a combed head and flashy smile. She tried to teach Molly and I these same lessons, although sometimes they conflicted with how we wanted to look. She wasn't so fond of my naturally curly hair, and was often asking me if I needed to borrow her brush.

She documented her favorite memories that weren't captured through pictures or letters by providing detailed explanations and captions on the back of photos. She always wanted to cherish the funny and meaningful things her grandchildren said.

One of our favorites is a picture we found of her from 1992. She wrote:
'Christmas 1992. Me! Hope there are better pictures than this. But maybe in five years, this will look pretty good.'

Four years later, she returned to that same picture and elaborated on the caption:
'1996 - No, I still don't like it!'

I find it amazing how she preserved such memories by keeping all the meaningful cards, letters, pictures we sent her and by writing additional details on photos. She even had planned ahead and separated all the special keepsakes that we were to receive once she was gone. Looking back through these wonderful documents, helps Molly and I see the woman she really was. It teaches us about the women we really want to be.

Today would have been her ninety-third birthday. Unfortunately, she left us for His better place in 2005, but she still remains a special part of our lives. I'm so thankful we have a precious new lady to keep the name forever living.

You know the saying "Everyone dies, but not everyone lives."

My grandmother Claire, she lived...