She Flew Away

Psalm 90:10 and 12
"The days of our lives are 70 years and if by strength 80, their boast is only labor and sorrow, for soon we are cut off and we fly away. So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

My Mother was a wise woman. If there is one thing she taught me by her example was to find good in every situation.  So in her passing, I take comfort in this wisdom.

Mom was a woman of faith who lived a simple life facing many challenges (even on her last day) with grace and humility - giving thanks to God in the good and the bad and always with a joyful heart.

She loved her family and friends and treasured every card, every picture, every small act of kindness shown to her.  She loved watching her family grow up and embraced email, Facebook and Blogs to virtually watch when her visiting days were few. She loved sending and receiving cards - the "old fashioned" way of letting someone know you care.

She had a giving heart and always considered herself fortunate enough to share.  This is a legacy passed down from her mom and siblings and one she passed on to me.

She was a saver - every quarter, every dollar she could "stick back" she did.  Her favorite hiding place was behind the pictures of those she loved.  And it wasn't just money she saved - it was plastic bags, small containers, stamps, rocks and anything to do with sewing. She was sentimental and treasured even the smallest gift.

She was a crafter and an artist - clothing not only herself, but me, my dolls and many others.  The work of her hands creating a small coat from a grandmother's old one because times were hard and her young daughter needed to stay warm. My childhood memories are filled with fabric and thread and beautiful easter dresses and barbie doll clothes all created by through the whirr of her Singer. As an entrepreneur, she created custom handbags through which she financed her first trip to Alaska.  We made Christmas decorations, countless pans of chocolate fudge and even our own doughnuts made from "good 'ol biscuits in a can."

She loved music - music of all kinds - playing and singing from a very young age. Music was a way of life for her. She was an avid reader and had adapted to the new e-books which allowed her failing eyesight to continue her passion.

She faced every challenge, every adversity with a positive outlook. I never remember her being at odds with anyone except her husband and her teenage daughter - which never lasted very long.

She was very loving and forgiving.  She received her wayward daughter into her arms without being judgemental. She was truly a picture of God's unmerited favor and unfailing love.

She has taught me so many lessons and will continue to do so as I ponder her life with awe and amazement. She was an exceptional woman - beautiful and wise - and I will miss her dearly.

Eva Laverne Powers Cagle

12/3/1927 - 7/24/2014

Squirrel hunting

Mom went squirrel hunting one time when she was about 16 or 17. It only took one shot to bag her first one. She brought it back to the store where Mr Brewer said "I only heard one shot". To which mom replied "I only needed one"  and she held up the squirrel. She felt so bad for killing the poor thing she never went hunting again. 

Fiddler's Convention

Mom and Archie Brewer were best friends growing up. She always thought of him as a brother. They sang together as often as they could. They went to a fiddlers convention in Millerville (about 1944).  The convention didn't have a classification for duets but they let them play anyway.  Archie played "Steel Guitar Rag" on the mandolin and it brought the house down. They were awarded a dollar each. They punched each other and laughed all the way home because they couldn't believe they received money! The next year mom received an invitation to come back and perform, but Archie was already in Germany in the war.

School Programs

During the school year of 39-40, Mom was in a program at Talladega High (7th grade) and she was jumping rope and tap dancing with Eileen Miller. she forgot her jump rope because she was staying with Hop and Hellen. The PE and Science teacher ( Miss Bean) would not let her be in the program so Eileen had to perform alone.  They had bought dresses alike. Mom's cost $.87 and they performed to "A Little Old Lady Passing By".  Eileen's parents taught singing school at Chandler Springs church. 

Riding the Rails

Mom's dad, Robert E. L. Powers, worked on the bridge crew for ABC Railroad, which is currently CSX. Because of his employment, his family had passes to ride the rails anywhere ABC traveled. The train was the primary transportation to town and points beyond.  When mom was about 14 (1942) her sister Emma and husband Beck Beckwith lived in Americus Georgia. Another sister Grace and her husband Bill Camp lived near Brunswick, Ga.   Bill was working as an electrician. They had come home to Chandler Springs to get their furniture. Mom returned with them to Brunswick. Bill and Grace lived upstairs in an oyster house. Grace sent Emma a post card saying that Mom was coming from Brunswick on her way home and to pick her up in Oglethorpe, Ga on a particular summer day. (Oglethorpe was the closest ABC station to Americus.) Mom arrived in Oglethorpe late (about midnight) to find no one was there to pick her up.  The only other person in the station was the Station Master. About 2 AM, the Station Master concluded that no one was coming to pick her up, so he arranged with another line to transfer her to Americus. The train made an unplanned stop to pick her up.   She only had a nickel, so Mom isn't sure how the ride was paid.  When she arrived at Americus early the next morning, she made a call to Emma with her nickel. Mom had never used a phone before, much less a pay phone. She put the nickel in the phone and the operator came on and told her she should have waited until the party answered.  Fortunately, Emma answered and came to pick her up.  Later that day in the mail delivery, the post card announcing her travels arrived a day late. Now that really was snail mail!

Momo Powers

On August 8, 1889, one hundred and twenty four years ago, my grandmother, Annie Lola Horn Powers, was born. I am remembering my "Momo" days of walks on the mountain, gathering moss for the big tree by her back door, digging worms for fishing, and most of all her cinnamon toast. I am thankful for the rich inheritance of caring for others, strength in adversity, and faith in Christ which Momo entrusted to me and all of her family.

fishing at Horn's Lake  early 1960's

Momo and Grandpa  early 1940's

Momo Knew trees and plants because her aunt married Dr Jordan who took her with him and taught her herbs and trees. Folks used to call her for baby delivery in case the dr didn't get there. 

Molly Kirk was her favorite aunt. 

Used to pick "squirrel ears" for salve

Pickin and grinnin

Mom loved to play the guitar and sing. She sang in a trio on the radio.