I have been told my whole life that I am just like her. I dress like her, look at people like her, sometimes (and I mean only sometimes) ;) do I have the attitude like her. Mom even noticed I put on my lipstick in the same fashion! There have been many moments in my life where my mom has told me "oh my gosh, I am living with my mother all over again!" I have never ever taken offense to it either, I love that compliment. If I would be compared to anyone, I do not mind being compared to that fashionista grandmother of mine.
She had coal black hair with a grey streak in it just like Cruella Deville. Nana always was caught wearing the latest Nieman Marcus fashions with her stiletto heels right up until she went to be home with Jesus. She was the woman that turned everyone's heads when she walked down the street. Vallee Wafer Clinksales sported the latest faux furs, fashionable scarves, heels, fur coats, pendants, costume jewelry and much much more! Somehow, she even made smoking look glamorous!!
I remember her now only through few vivid memories, being told I am just like her, and through pictures. A few of my favorite memories I have of her was when she would polish my fingernails. We would sit at the nearest table and she would always polish my small fingernails a bright red or pink. Who knew she would have a life-long impact on my life in feminine fashion! One of my favorite things to do was getting to go over to her house (when we were in Texas to visit) and raiding her high heels closet as a young girl. I would always beg for her to give me some "lips" as well (my code word for lipstick). She would let me get all dolled up in her heels, huge clip on earrings, lipstick and nails done. I was a hottie for sure at age 5 when I visited Nana. :)
My fondest moments with her was at the end of the night. We would go to Texas for Thanksgivings and or Christmas and always spent time together. When we did, you'd bet you could find me at her house when it was bed time. Silk sheets! C'mon, who else has silk sheets and a huge bed to cuddle with their Nana in?! Anyway, it was my favorite part of the night because my high-strung/energy filled/go get em/ fashionista Nana stripped all of her glamor off with soap and a wash rag. She would slowly take off her make up and at the same time, it was as if I saw the business/fashionista Nana wash away as the bubbles ran down the drain of the sink. I watched that part of her wash away and watched her turn into a loving woman known as my favorite part of Nana. I even idolized the way she took her make up off (HAHA). I would climb on a little stool beside her at the his/her sinks and wash my face the same way.
After we washed we would hurry and race into her silk sheeted bed. We would climb in and she would tuck me in all special, kiss my forehead (I always giggled because I did not have to wipe away her ruby red lipstick like I did during the day time), and she would pray with me. We would pray for anything and anyone I wanted to until we fell asleep. That's the side of Nana that I will carry with me until the day I die. She prayed the best prayers ever. Nana showed me what it was like to pray as if you were talking to your best friend. She showed me that God was just my Daddy who loved me. He already knows everything about me, but praying for other people always helped remind Him and US that we NEED HIM. <3 ;) To this day, when I pray, I sometimes find myself saying "Hi, Nana!" as if she can hear me and see my smile I send to her. I hope she looks on my life from time to time and is darn proud of the woman I have become, the struggles I have overcame, and is proud to call me her fashionista granddaughter :) I think I am picking up just where she beautifully left off!!!
No matter what job I take, no matter how much I get paid, no matter what fancy clothes or make up I wear, no matter what name-brand hand bag I may own someday. . . my heart is like hers. We love the Lord and put family first. People need to be able to be themselves. Nana was a fashionista and one day I hope to be half as glamorous as she was known to be, inside and out!!!
You never know what her life is really like, until you spend a day in her heels.
My Nana taught me how to love viciously, hold on to my precious momma like there is no tomorrow, dress sassy but classy, stay true to my heart, and always put God first.
