My heart is blooming, not just her flowers.
I was asked once during a radio interview, “Who would you say had the greatest influence in your life?”
Mazelle with me-or one of my own babies.
Without a breath or blink I answered. “Mazelle Patterson.” Don’t get me wrong my parents were wonderful, too. They blanketed me with so much love and guidance. But Mazelle, well, she was the most influential person in my life. Sadly, we buried her.
As a newborn Mazelle was there when I arrived home from the hospital. She rocked, embraced, and nurtured me as a baby and toddler.
I remember how I clung to her leg, apron, or thickset fanny as a child. Sometimes my mother would allow me to sleep over with Mazelle. There, she would tuck me under a frayed quilt and lull me to sleep as she sang gospel lyrics, or quoted bible scriptures.
She whispered words of affirmation as she wrapped my blond ringlets around her finger. “You a sweet girl, Prissy, you sure be.”
This repetitive positivity infused my mind and instilled those core values, traits, and characteristics one needs to live a harmonious life: empathy, kindness, gratitude, ambition, love, and humility.
As teenagers she scolded, punished, and supported my sisters and me. She taught us right from wrong, as well as sympathy, consideration, and all the characteristics I believe make a person likable, respectable, and successful. Even as adults she continued to mentor the three of us.
Her trouble makers grown-up: Deborah, Gina and ME
She could tell you anything you wanted to know about the bible and never complained– no matter her misfortune, sadness, or physical pain. She oozed only gratefulness, positivity, and joy from her core through her pores.
More than once I heard her pray as she lifted a glass of water to her lips, “Thank you, Lord, for this water I’m ’bout to receive.” Oh, how she loved the Lord!
She self-taught, was self-learned, and excelled at anything and everything she conquered. She did so with cleverness, courage, and conviction. Her plethora of gifted talents evolved from staying power and her stubbornness in a life too hard. She never gave up. Never.
Mazelle enrolled in the local junior college and learned how to upholster furniture, then she opened her own upholstering business. She also enrolled in a professional baking class where she learned how to create magnificent wedding cakes. That, too, became a side business. Oh my, the lady could cook her way around any expert chef. Ask the hundreds who tasted her feast.
I won’t call her perfect since she had a flaw. Her lousy driving. In my earliest years– before I had a driver’s license–she hauled my whining self here, there, and yonder. Her speed alone shut this tweenager up. She scared me senseless.
I’m in back-seat white-knuckled!
Indianapolis lake house. We yanked her off!
When she drove from Lake City to Tallahassee for a visit, her trip was 20 minutes shorter than anyone I knew. This only because she drove 80 miles-per-hour and everyone else drove the speed limit.
As she approached her 95th birthday, the car we had gifted on her 85th birthday, stopped running. When we bought the car, ten years earlier, my husband and I figured she would drive another year, maybe two, and that would be it. By then, she would be 87 or 88-years-old. She was independent and loved living alone, not having to depend on anyone for anything. Hence, the gifted car.
But I swear, she outdrove the lifetime of that stupid car by ten years. Finally, it broke down. Yay! We thought. Until I answered my ringing phone. “I think it can be fixed.” she declared. It couldn’t, it had 200K+ miles. She lived alone and had no interest in ‘giving up’ driving. Ugh!
We began a hunt for another used car for her. Mazelle shared the pending car search with her daughter, June. A few days into the hunt I answered my ringing phone to drama.“Prissy, don’t you dare buy her another car. She’s too old and can’t see!” she scolded.
June, if you’re reading, I’m sorry and pathetic! And don’t blame my husband since he had to live with me. Not to mention, your mother kept him fed when he was in college and broke.
Dale with Mazelle 1969
Dale and Mazelle 2019 -50 years later!
When her license was expiring she called. “I’m studying the book to take my driving test again.” Say what!
I pacified my sisters, mother and everyone else, “Don’t worry, she’ll never pass that test!” I was confident.
When I answered my ringing phone she squealed, “I passed!” Her excitement was virtually visceral. What was wrong with those testers in Lake City? I wondered.
“How could you pass with only one eye?” I asked.
“There’s plenty of soldiers driving round with one eye!” she said.
“Well, they aren’t 95! Lordy be, you’ll be 98 when it expires.”
Two birthdays (96 and 97) came and went. Her car insurance bill grew heftier and heftier.
She called me worried when she got a copy of the bill. “It’s a dirty shame what they charge us!” she said.
“What’s this us sh*t… you mean me.” I laughed. “They can charge me anything they want, you’re almost 98.” She gave me one of her belly laughs.
“I sure do appreciate it, I sure do.” And she did…I have 42 ‘thank-you’ voicemails saved on my cellphone to prove it.
Yes, I know. I was a titch stupid to abet her driving. But it was Mazelle and she never asked me for anything. In my defense, I did demand she drive only back roads, the ones with little traffic.
Her “no drive” proclamation to me!
It was April when I called her. “Mazelle, you know you have just six months left to drive, right? Your license and insurance expire on October 6, your 98th birthday!” Did I just say that?
In truth, when the pandemic hit, it imprisoned her at home. She no longer cared much about the car. The isolation and lonliness kept her from church and the people she loved. The vehicle was nothing more than a symbol of her independence. The alternative… a new identity, in the ebbtide of her life. She could no longer be a giver but would become a taker, depending on everyone for everything. It was impossible for her.
As it happened, Mazelle suffered a massive heart attack a few days before her birthday. My heart struggles with the timing of that heart attack and her snatched independence. But God whispers to me, “Prissy, she was 98 years-old.”
Mazelle’s service was perfect. The clouds parted and the predicted rain slipped away. I was engulfed by a gentle breeze as I listened to gospel soloists and speakers share songs and sentiments for the most influential person in my life.
Joy and pain were tangled inside my heart. I wept through my snotty mask with tear-filled sunglasses.
Her great-grandson, Choyce Robert Williams, only ten-years-old, authored his own poem and titled: Grandmother’s Love. He read it aloud so proud. Clearly, her legacy of talent lives on.
Some people grow roots inside us and stay even when they leave. Mazelle is rooted inside me where she will live on forever.
She was a kindred soul through my happiest and darkest hours. I am privileged to have been part of her life. Mazelle, I will always lean my heart as close to your soul as I can.
God speed! Enjoy your mansion in the sky, beautiful angel!
Our last goodbye
My home: December, 2020
Beautiful! Great job honey! Perfect. I love you.
Thank you for this, Prissy. She sounds like such an extraordinary woman, and you’re right – you are lucky to have had her in your life. Someday remind me to tell you about my mom’s Mazelle, who held me when i was born, and I didn’t even find this out until I was in my 40s.
Dear Steve–I am just today reading THE blog comments about my Mazelle? Honestly, my heart was so bruised and fragile I was afraid to read anything—much less reply.
Between Duhart and Mazelle’s deaths—smack dab in the middle of both of them–one of my closest friends since age 13 overdosed. Three deaths of three people I loved so deeply has been brutal for me. I cry every day–borrow none.
I finally decided to pivot the pain (maybe bury it) and push forward with work as my focus.
I would love to hear your story about your mom’s Mazelle whenever your someday is good to share
Hugs and stay safe….PLEASE!!! XO
What a beautiful tribute. As always you have me shedding tears. Paula
Dear Paula—I’m just today reading your comment which made me shed tears ….AGAIN.
I had to heal a bit before I read my blog comments–too painful. But time softens a broken heart–even so, I miss her. XO
Thank you! XO
Beautiful tribute to Mazelle. I didn’t know her when we were in LC, but through your talented pen/laptop I feel like I know her heart and spirit. You three were blessed beyond measure to have been part of her sweet life, and she a part of yours.
Jane, thank-you! Yes, oh yes…how lucky were we?! I can’t imagine how we might have turned out without her strong arm and guiding heart. I’m so sorry
to just be replying. Honestly, I am just today reading the comments from my blog about her. Clearly, I was too broken before. Thank-you so much! XO
What a loving and lasting tribute to this beautiful soul. And to some extent, Mazelle has also influenced us, your readers, through this memorial. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Wynn, thank you so very much! I’m so sorry I’m just now replying to you sweet message.
Believe it or not—I’m only reading blog comments today. I think I was too sad and broken but better now. I so miss her! XO
I am so glad i found your blog, You speak to and for me in every sentence.
Oh Frankie, thank you so much!!! How sweet are you:-)
I’m so very sorry for just replying–I’m just today reading the comments from my Mazelle blog. My poor heart was too bruised to write anyone.
Hugs and thanks again!
Prissy
Prissy, I know you will miss Mazelle. She obviously had a great influence over you and your sisters. This is a great story commemorating her love for you and your love for her.
Joan, thank you so much! Forgive my delay in just responding to your sweet comment. My heart was too bruised to write.XO
🥰🥰🥰
Late replying as I am always chasing my tail. Hope you are better now!! What next????
XO
My daughters & I had a Maggie that your words of Mazelle describe perfectly. She was the kindest, most God Loving person. We also experienced her death & we miss her more everyday. Her funeral was one of the most inspiring events of my daughters & my life. Each of us spoke about the influence she had on us. I am so very thankful for angels like Mazelle & Maggie that come in to our lives & make us better people. Thanks for sharing your story!
Margie–thank you for your dear comment. I’m so sorry to just now be replying but…frankly, it was all too hard and I needed to give my heart time and space to heal. You are so right-, Mayzelle made me a better person and set MY standard for kindness. XO
To all the Landrum girls, how lucky you are to have the memories of Mazelle, what a gift. Prissy you did a beautiful job writing this fabulous tribute. Love to you all.
Hey Shirley!!
Thanks so much. I’m late replying to your sweet blog comment—giving this broken heart time to heal. Love and hugs—be safe!
Prissy
Loved reading this and feeling the great journey you experienced with Mazelle.❤️
Thank you so much and please forgive my delay in just now respondin to you kind comment. I was giving my heart time to heal. XO
Prissy, this is such a beautiful tribute to your darling Mazelle ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carol! Please forgive my delay in just replying to your post—giving my heart time to heal.XO
Dear Prissy,
As always, your writing expresses the beauty of your heart and how deeply you love. What a blessing Mazelle was to you and your family, and what a blessing you were to her through the years.
I’m sure there’s a special place in Heaven for you! Praying that it will be many years before you go!
Love, Peace and Joy to you and your family this Christmas and in 2021!
Marie
Thank you Marie!! I’m so sorry I’m just replying to your kind note. I’m only now reading my blog comments—giving my heart time to heal. Hope you are well–and safe.
Hugs and Love,
Prissy
I çan’t imagine how much you must mis her, Prissy, but you’re right: she will be with you forever.
Hugs. Forgive my late reply. I’m just to day reading my blog comments:-(
Oh my! What a gift you both were to each other!
What love!
Thank you! I just love what you sent me and have it hanging near my coffeepot. We chat each morning. XO
Absolutely beautiful. Made me cry. My love and continued prayers. What a blessing your received.
Thanks- I’m just now reading my blog comments —too hard earlier. Be well!