Alli Stouff-ism

One reason I adore this picture is because it represents three generations of women. Now, one has passed, one is a grandmother, and the other is entering in to young adulthood. Each woman is different, yet curiously similar.

I remember when we had to drive back to Georgia after visiting Grandma Jackie, she would stand in the driveway and wave until we could not see her any longer. My brother and I practically press our faces to the window, waving sadly back. I would cry every time. Already a petite woman, she looked even smaller and more distant as we drove away. I always wish we had lived closer to her. Maybe that would not be one of my strongest memories of her.

My favorite memory is sitting in the back seat with her. We had just picked up hoagies from the deli. It was cold, probably in October. We were listening to the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald cd. The song started playing, Dancing Cheek to Cheek. She held my hand the whole time, singing in her out of tune voice. I remember she leaned over to me, and said, “This reminds me of your Grandpa Emory.”