My Sweet Lily

My Dear Lily,

Do you remember the time we made pancakes shaped like cats? Yours looked more like a snowman with ears, but we giggled so hard that morning, I nearly dropped the syrup. That’s one of my favorite memories of us—because it wasn’t just breakfast, it was our kind of magic.

I remember you as a little thing, with jelly on your cheeks and your arms stretched wide yelling, “Grandmaaaa!” as you ran down the driveway. Every visit turned into an adventure—whether we were turning the living room into a pirate ship or building forts out of couch cushions and quilts.

You always brought the sparkle, and I was just lucky enough to be along for the ride.

We’ve had tea parties with teddy bears and serious debates over which cookie dough is best (chocolate chip still wins, I think). I’ve taught you how to thread a needle, how to plant zinnias in the spring, and how to find shapes in the clouds. You taught me how to dance to songs I’d never heard before and how to use emojis the right way—sort of.

There was that rainy Sunday we baked banana bread and ended up wearing half of it, and that summer evening when we lay on the grass watching fireflies and whispering dreams. You told me you wanted to be an astronaut or a pastry chef or maybe a poet. I said you could be all three if you wanted—because I believe you can.

Time has a funny way of slipping by, doesn’t it? You’re growing up faster than I can believe, but no matter how tall you get or where life takes you, our memories are tucked safely in my heart.

I want you to carry them too. Not just the stories and the snapshots, but the feelings—the warmth, the laughter, the love.

Because memories, my darling girl, are the treasure maps of life. They remind us who we are, where we’ve been, and how deeply we’ve been loved.

Thank you for giving me so many beautiful chapters. I can’t wait to make more.

With all the love in the world,
Grandma 💖

Edna Foreman
Nashville TN