GG

This picture came up today. It's one of my favorites. I've been thinking about Betty a lot the last couple of weeks as I'm thinking about Matt & Will's birthday, and Halloween and Christmas. It's all so different without her presence and I miss her a lot.

This blog is really my online "family diary" and something I want the kids to look back on and I want to share what I wrote after Betty passed away.

It's no wonder I thought that I would be something when I grew up. From the day I came to visit the Williams crew as a baby, I was told, here comes the future "Miss America" by my Aunt Betty. My aunt Betty always had big dreams for me, and I wanted to live up to them. Later, when I started working, we would go to eat dinner and Betty & Pat were there to tell me I was going to be the next CEO of my company.

Well, had any of these things been my desire, I am sure I would have accomplished them with Betty cheering me on. She had high expectations for everyone and provided the words of encouragement to help us all get there...

Rather than CEO or Miss America, I chose another direction and Betty was never more happy than to be known as GG. Great, Great, Aunt Betty.

She was the funnest person I have ever known. I remember being so excited to see Betty at the annual Williams reunion. She would always have smuggled a bag or two of toys from the dentist office for all of the nieces and nephews, and not only did she have a present for us, she would get down and play with us. She loved any toy that would make noise and made sure to keep them coming over the years as Mom found places to hide them.

My mailbox will never be the same without Betty. My college roommates would always wonder how I was so lucky to get a note about each week when I was in college, each time with $1 bill inside. For an ice cream cone. Then, I had Charlie and well, the ice cream fund began again. Balloons and stickers also became regular treats - every holiday was special and a reason to celebrate. Really, any time with Betty was a celebration. I know we have all said it, but Betty was the life of the party, spitfire, a firecracker. When Jon & I lived in Raleigh, we would love to go eat Mexican with Betty & Pat. We'd share a Miller Lite or two and if we had our favorite waiter, Jimmy, we'd have to share a fried ice cream so we could stay longer (Betty and I both liked Jimmy even though she said he liked me).

We shared a lot of the same loves. Whenever I think about going to the beach, I think of the memories of going to Emerald Isle and Betty and Pat's place. We would have the best time there, hanging on the pier, watching birds, playing Rummikub and watching basketball. Betty loved watching Christian Laettner and Duke play during those years. We were lucky to go back to Emerald Isle with Betty & Pat just a few years back when I was pregnant with the twins. She had the time of her life with our new "bubble gun" and blowing bubbles with little Charlie who was 2 at the time. You would think she had never seen bubbles before. Something really got me laughing and she had the best time watching my big old belly shake. She loved that story.

She knew every detail of my wedding and anyone's wedding that I knew. She loved weddings and showers. She loved any reason to have a fabulous party and entertain. But she loved babies the most and she loved the stories. I loved sharing my stories with her. She wanted to know every detail. Betty loved going to the kids birthday parties and taking in every moment. She loved to see their faces opening presents, blowing out candles and playing with their other little friends. She wanted to be a part of them all. Some years, I'm not sure who had more fun - Betty or the kids.

Just like birthdays, I've celebrated Christmas with Betty & Pat since I was 12. For a kid that may have lost the Christmas belief, it all came back when Betty & Pat came to spend Christmas Eve. Each year, there were cakes, cookies and presents. Later, came Christmas PJ's each year for the kids and presents from walking in the door days before the 25th until Christmas morning. Betty was all about presents. I always have wanted to have her ability to find those perfect presents for everyone, as she had just the right touch at finding something thoughtful for all occasions.
There is something in each room of my house from Betty, a cross stitch, a vase, a silver container with my married initials... Holidays, all the more.

Betty made everyone that met her feel like they had been lifelong friends. I always loved sharing her with my friends and family. Because, we all had such a good time when Betty was a member of the party.