“I am overweight because I have to eat so many words I have spoken. I said I would never live close to my children in their yard, I would never live in a trailer, and I would never have a woman preacher. I have eaten all of those words, but I am better for it.

My kids grew up and don’t need me as much anymore. They have their own lives, and that is what I wanted my children to do. I was strict but gave unconditional love. I raised some of my grandchildren until my son turned his life around. I put him in God’s hands and left him there. 

I got cancer at age 70. My doctors were more concerned than I was. I got deathly sick after two chemo treatments and said no more.  At my age, I am going to live life to the fullest without being sick from chemo. We aren’t promised another day, and I am making the most of the time I have left. About a month later, I went back to the doctor, and there was no cancer. He said a higher power did this. My daughter-in-law had cancer twice and passed away. I questioned God’s judgment in taking her instead of me because she was so valuable to our family. 

Old age happens fast. An 86-year-old friend died, and I thought he was old, then I remembered I am 85. My mind says I am 25 to 30, but my body says I am 100. I get up in the morning and ache all over. I think, ‘Old woman, you’ve got a very small bit of time left, get out of bed and do something,’ and I do. 

I take food at least once a week to people in Mobile. Yesterday I made potato salad and cooked two pies and took them to three people. I take meals to folks who are sick or have been in the hospital. The canned goods on my front porch are my food pantry. I take food to whoever needs it, or they come here and get it.

I still love to go ‘poot waddling.’ That is my family’s name for going wandering down a road you haven’t been down. One of my nephews is also a poot waddler, and we go together. We recently found an oyster shop, and they showed us around. They had a conveyor belt that opened oysters. The oysters fell into a bucket, and workers put them into containers. It was the most interesting place.

My son says I can just stand in line at the grocery store, and people tell me their life stories. We don’t visit anymore or listen to people, but they are desperate for somebody to talk to. I tell my boys that if they keep their mouths shut, they will be twice as smart because the person will teach them something. 

One Sunday, God told me to take doughnuts to the Emergency Room instead of going to church. I obeyed and gave doughnuts to the people who were waiting. I listened to their worries and prayed with them.

My advice is to travel and live your dream now. Enjoy life and help others while you can because old age and ‘it’s too late’ come way too fast.”

Daisy, Part Two

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Daisy’s story is a part of a series about the Weavers—people stitching our communities together, solving problems, and showing how to care for our neighbors. Send a message to Our Southern Souls to nominate a Weaver from your community to be featured on Souls.