Issis

That's what my kids call her....Issis.  She is Aunt Sissy to me.  Has been for 40 years now!  When Kate was a baby, she began trying to talk SO early.  Her first word, "duck", was at 9 months.  She would try so hard to verbalize what she wanted and work with such intent to repeat exactly what we were saying.  She couldn't have been more than a year old when she began referring to my Aunt Sissy as "Issis".  She just got all tangled up in Sissy and that's what she is now!  Not Aunt Issis, just Issis.  Will can go either way with Sissy or Issis.  I don't think she cares much!  They love her and that's all that matters to her. 

She is super special to me.  She is my Dad's big sister.  She is my only aunt who lived near me (like 20 miles!) growing up.  She is such a fixture in almost all of my childhood memories that she's more like a third parent in a way.  She is small, but mighty!  A Southern lady, but strong.  I know exactly who is on the other end of the phone when she calls - even when I'm not the one who answers (l.o.u.d.)!  She is something else.  She has taught me more than she probably realizes.  There are little "happies" all around my house that came from Heidelberg, MS...or Vossburg, MS (depending on where she saw fit to mail it that day!).  I love it.  They remind me of her and of home.  Almost every cookbook I own, especially all the Southern ones or Mississippi ones, are from her.  She sent me a subscription to Mississippi magazine and the Laurel Leader Call (local paper) when I first moved to OK.  I think I only got the paper for about a year ('95-'96), but I still get that magazine and I look forward to it.  She sends me little things made in MS, from the musuem, etc.  She does not want me to forget where I'm from, even though she need not worry.  She taught me how to shell peas and that there should be an UNEVEN number of flowers in a flower arrangement.  I spent many hot afternoons in her garden, "helping" her pick whatever was ready.  We did lots of puzzles together when I'd spend the night and she always had plenty of junk food for me!  Every year, on my birthday, she would take me shopping for clothes at several different places in Laurel then we'd go to lunch at Mr. Gatti's pizza.  Her chicken spaghetti, cornbread dressing, and cheeseball recipes are some of my favorites.  She always cooked for holiday meals with family.  Way back when, we used to gather at her house occaisionally for Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, etc.  After a while, we ended up mostly at my house and she would drive at least five pots of stuff (I'm skimping on that number) all the way from her house, unload it, serve it, and pack it back up when we were done!  I used to love seeing that Lincoln coming (the only car my Uncle Bill would ever buy for her).  It meant that they had arrived and were bringing that cheese ball and all the other stuff I loved with them.  It always included peas, butterbeans and cornbread.  She still does this.  Every time we drive in from OK...her car is there in my Dad's driveway and you know there's something good on that stove!  Now, not that my Dad's a slouch when we come, providing no meals, but he would agree - she can put together some good stuff!   

That's just a smidge about Issis.  I've got more, but this is a blog not a book.  She has left her mark on me, for sure.  This Christmas she gave us all a big scare.  I received a call that Issis was in the hospital.  It was a heart attack.  They weren't sure how she was doing.  The doctor said he was "guarded" about her situation.  Big lump in my throat.  Not ready for this.  Should I jump on a plane?  Was she going to be okay?  Did I need to go help my Dad?  I wasn't quite sure what to do, but I kept in touch with my Dad (about every hour for a few days) and with prayers answered and one more heart attack later, (that's 2!) she pulled through!  Whew!   It was a long week (or more) but the outcome was exactly what we were hoping for.  My dad did a great job as caretaker.  I think she would agree.  They are brother and sister with the typcial brother/sister relationship, so I was leary of this arrangement.  Turns out, it went really well.  I am proud of both of them!  She is already back in action helping him out this tax season (the 42nd).  Could not be more thankful!  Big reminder to soak up time with loved ones every minute you can.  Can't wait to see all of my South Mississippi folks in a few months.  I'm saving a extra big hug for my Aunt Sissy.  I am more than grateful I have the opportunity to hug her again! 

One of my favorite things in my house.
Haven't found flowers that don't look good in a blue mason jar.

second favorite....yes, that's correct.  It says Milk of Magnesia.
Eat your heart out!  You know it's cute!

Just a little C.I.L.Y. present (cause I love you)...I keep lots of her notes.
Pretty handwriting, huh?

iron skillet from Issis (I think it was her mother's, my Mamaw's??)
and that dish sitting in front of it is hers too!
I think she'd be proud of the way my cornbread turned out.

Love you, Issis!