SHE RUNS WITH ANGELS

Driving home from Ally's today, sitting in traffic, I had longer than usual to reflect on memories of my cousin, Martha.
A few childhood memories remain regarding Martha, Hubie and Uncle William. As a family, we would make the long journey to Grandmother's each summer. It seemed to take an entire day with no expressways, no air conditioning, no McDonald's and mom and dad both blowing smoke from their cigarettes into the back seat. When we would finally arrive, Uncle William's comment was always the same, "You talk like a Yankee!". Of course, I had no idea what that meant. Hubie always had a furrowed brow and seemed to be planning something world changing. Martha would sit on the floor and play tiddley winks and was very patient. My mother never wanted any of us to have physical contact with Martha. But Martha's memory of my mother was that she was so sweet and let her babysit for us. WHAT???? As I got older Martha seemed to be in her room a lot at the typewriter with a halo of cigarette smoke surrounding her head. She talked of publishers and sending her writing here and there.
As a young woman I remember Dianne Downing taking a strong stand at her wedding in Bowling Green and telling her mother that Martha and Hubie WERE invited to her wedding and THAT was THAT. I admired Dianne so much for being such a strong advocate.
I would hear bits and pieces through the years from my parents but I guess I was too busy raising my own family to bother, listen, ask questions or be pro-active. Shame on me!
When Maureen and I began to plan the Davis Family Reunion one year ago, Maureen came to visit me in Mason, Ohio with the intention of going to Bowling Green to check on Martha. I was the driver and we made the trip to Britthaven of Bowling Green. Mo did her best to prepare me for the visual. " Martha has no teeth, no legs, is confined to a wheel chair in the nursing home." Okay I can handle that. When we entered Martha's room Mo said she had brought another cousin along for the visit. She looked at me for a few seconds at best and said, "Cabbage Head!". I guess that was a pet name for me! She knew who I was I had not seen her for thirty years. She hugged and kissed me with enthusiasm I had never experienced from anyone with the last name of Davis. It was a wonderful visit and I realized that Martha was happy and everyone there loved her.
I visited three more times in 2009. Once with Dad, when we laid Aunt Regina and Uncle Bob's ashes to rest at St. Joe's Cemetery. Martha was so thrilled to see my Dad. My most recent visit was in July of 2009. Mel and I went to Bowling Green with my best friend Gloria and her husband Sam. We went to see a Hot Rods baseball game and had a great time. Gloria was begging Martha to tell stories about me. I will never reveal the stories. Getting over a bladder infection, Martha was worried about dying, very fearful. I hugged her and spoke from my heart. " He is always with you. He loves you more than anyone could every love you. Do not be afraid."
It is so fitting that Martha would leave this earth peacefully, in her sleep. I think she was met by her Mother, Father, Hugh and Johnny. I want to believe that all the Aunts and Uncle's in Heaven were there to welcome her with love.
I am blessed to have gotten to know her and want to know more about her life. Maybe someone will fill in the blanks or maybe I will find out the answers when I leave this earth.
Martha, thank you for your hugs and kisses, thank you for your unconditional love, thank you for your toothless smile, you will be missed.