If there was one thing I could always bet money on it was the conversation I’d have with my paternal great-grandmother.
Without fail, whenever I would call her she would say in that deep southern Alabama accent,
“Hey baby, how yo daddy?”
I’d tell her how he was and then we’d proceed with our conversation. My father passed away in 2007, a couple years before that my great-grandma (Mudear as we called her) stopped asking about him. I knew with the old age memory loss was following.
Today would’ve been my father’s 55th birthday, this morning just after 7.a.m. my beloved Mudear passed away at the age of 99.
My emotions are everywhere, I’m sad my daddy is not here, I’m sad my Mudear is gone, I’m sad for my grandma, I can only imagine how she must feel.
However with all this sadness, I feel a pinch of joy. Joy because on this day 55 years ago my father wasn’t expected to live long, yet he lived 50 years. Joy because Mudear lived long enough to touch so many lives. I may refer to her as “my Mudear” in this piece, but I shared her with lots of cousins. She answered to Mudear, Grandma, Mama and Tilly, but she loved us all the same with that one giving heart.
Perhaps the one comforting moment for me is realizing that Mudear no longer has to ask about daddy. I’m confident that today when she left her earthly home and entered into her heavenly home he was one of many people who greeted her. She wished him a happy birthday and he welcomed her home.
This piece is dedicated to Matilda Phillips Pace (May 20, 1912-February 28, 2012) and Ronnie Phillips (February 28, 1957- May 16, 2007)
Pieces of Cobb 
I never got to meet your dad, but I feel like I know him. Through your words and actions your are indeed your father’s daughter. 🙂 I am sure that he was one of the first ones there to greet your Mudear at the pearly gates. They both exceeded anyones expectations on how long they would bless us here with their presence. For that we are eternally greatful.
I feel so lucky that I got to meet Mudear and I will always remember her telling you that she wanted that coconut cake. 🙂 Both your Mudear and your daddy were able to live life and enjoy it. Just about every picture that you have your daddy is smiling.
May they both continue to inspire us.
Always here when you need me baby.
Love your Husband
Shaka your dad was so nice and cool. It’s so nice to see how you bonded with him so deeply. That’s a truly rare relationship many kids may not have with their fathers. You will see him again and I’m sure both him and Mudear and talking up a storm and catching up with one another at the pearly gates. You will be their topic of focus too!
-Toye P