Remembering Nenaw

Ten years ago this week, my precious grandmother went to live in her eternal home. I was very close to her and miss her still. She was smart, funny and sassy. Nenaw, as her grandkids called her, was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who always welcomed visitors with love and affection. Whenever we knocked on her door, she always hollered out, “Come on in if your nose is clean”, followed by the most infectious laugh.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of spending time at my grandparents’ home. We used to go to their house every Friday night, a tradition started way back before I was born. All the family would come together on Friday nights for food, family time and dominos.

I remember always sitting on the kitchen floor with my grandmother playing Jacks or Pick-up Sticks. As I grew older, I stood at my grandmother’s elbow as she played 42 (domino game) and taught me her strategies. I became pretty efficient at playing as an adult. We had many cousins who came as well and would have competitions out in the backyard seeing who could jump the furthest off the porch onto the lawn or who could make it jumping over the huge plant at the corner of the porch. Playing football was usually a part of our weekend fun as well. The highlight of our visit was gathering in the front living room listening to my grandmother tinkle away on her antique piano. She played a tune that reminded me of a bygone era, maybe something from the 1920’s or 30’s. We usually danced around while she played. Some of us would even pair up and play chopsticks for extra entertainment.

Nenaw was a fun loving grandma and never minded getting down on the floor with the grandkids to play. She was always so proud of her family and let them know it every time she got a chance. Even as she bragged, she admitted, “Every crow thinks hers is the blackest”. She wasn’t afraid to admit that she was very partial to her family.

Writing poetry was something that she enjoyed and was quite good at it. She wrote all sorts of poems in her lifetime. Some were in memory of a loved one who passed away, others were political or sports related. Many of her poems and other writings have been published in the local newspaper. Sewing and other crafts have also been a part of her special interests. She made an amazingly beautiful Christmas tablecloth using the sequin and bead method. She also made many beautiful crochet items for the new babies in the family. No doubt, she was a lady with many special gifts and talents.

Margaret Evelyn Parten was born in Delia, Limestone County, Texas on 7 August 1921. She was the daughter of James Monroe Parten and Winnie Johnson. She married Lewis Albert Stafford in 1939 and was the mother of four, grandmother of eleven, great and great-great grandmother of a multitude.

She was employed for many years at the Mexia State School MHMR where she was a dorm charge and assistant supervisor. Everyone who knew her saw that she was caring and deeply compassionate . She loved her clients and co-workers and they dearly loved her.

Many vacations were spent traveling across the country with her family and friends. Her closest friend, Margaret Gamble joined her on many trips.

Staying close to family and friends was always very important to her. She wrote letters often and made many phone calls daily, always remaining close to her cousins who lived far away. One of the greatest things I learned from my grandmother was the importance of family. I love her dearly and miss her every day.