Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Elizabeth Brander
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My memories of Mama Jean are boundless. They didn't start out with cards, they started out with protection. I was the first of Danny, Di, and I to have the privilege of knowing our Mama. She hardly knew me but when some unsavory people came looking for me because my former roommate owed them money, Mama looked them straight in the eye and told them I was gone.
First I lived above her, but it wasn't til I moved across the hall that we became family. I don't even know when the cards started, I just know they did. She roped us all in somehow lol. Our relationship was more than cards. She took care of me.
When I was living across the hall from her with Danny and he was always playing jokes on her by tooth pasting her door knobs, or buttering her hand if she fell asleep at our house while watching a movie. When I hurt my back, she came over ever morning to help dress me when Bridgette called her to say I was up. Bridgette lived below us so always heard my feet hit the floor. Took care of me after my surgery. Came to all the parties we ever had.
Then I moved just across the parking lot with Di and she came into Jean's fold. All the card games and meals we shared prior to those cards lol. With Di and I, we always had to play cards with her; Danny not so much, just a little lol.
The memories of Bridgette getting so angry at her during card games accusing her of letting me win at hearts, that she was her daughter. Jean always said that when it came to cards there was no family lol.
Know matter the distance or how long it was between visits she always made you feel loved.
She met my Derrick and told him right off she hated his beard lol. Holds nothing back lol. Made him play skippo with us too lol.
Getting to know Cora Jean, Felicia, the storm that was Bridgette, Mary Patricia, Denise, Cathy, Carolyn, and even Beverley, who lived so far away. I cannot express my sorrow for you girls for having lost that beautiful soul from your lives.
There are so many more and none of them bad, which is a testament of her. Always having good memories.
Goodbye my Mama Jean. Know that we all loved you just like you loved us.
