Virginia Sophia Wiles Davis: An Outstanding Woman, A Fabulous Role-Model, and My Grandmother

When Chris and I were busy narrowing down names, there was one name I was clear on wanting for our child if it would be a girl--Virginia Sophia.  Chris wasn't sure and would not say "Sure, honey, if it is a girl, we will name her Virginia."  In some ways, I can't say as I blame him because it would mean actually naming the baby after someone and a someone he had never met.  However, when we were in the delivery room, soon after "meeting" our daughter for the first time, I asked Chris if he knew the name he wanted to give her.  He told me that we could go ahead and name her Virginia, or Ginny for short.  My heart sang.  I was beyond thrilled that I would be able to name our daughter after a woman who I admired and loved very much, my maternal grandmother.

My Grandma Davis was not an ordinary woman, although she would likely disagree with me if she were alive today.  She was an amazing, faith-filled, family-centered woman.  She loved God and her family beyond all else. Grandma was also a very strong woman.

My Grandma, Virginia Sophia Wiles Davis, June 1940

Virginia Sophia Wiles was born in 1922, an only child to Verne Franklin and his wife, my great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth (Hazel) Haberstroh.  Grandma grew up in a middle-class (to upper middle class) family in the city of St. Louis.  In 1940, she married my Grandfather, Glen Franklin Davis.  Grandpa Davis was about as opposite as you can imagine in his background from my Grandma.  He was raised near Steelville, Missouri, a small town about 2 hours southwest of St. Louis, with 10 siblings.  His father was a farmer and life was tough.

My grandparents loved each other for the 56, nearly 57, years they were together.  They had 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls.  My grandmother loved her large family!  However, it was not an easy life for either of them.  Grandpa Davis had health difficulties while they were raising their family. Money was definitely tight, especially when there came a time that Grandpa's health made it impossible for him to work.  So, my grandmother went to work as a social worker.  I'm sure that could not have been easy, particularly in the 60s. Despite that, family always came first.  That is something that carries on with each of her children--a love and desire to be connected as a whole family.

There seems to be one characteristic that each female in the family has inherited, in some form, from my grandmother.  We are all pretty darn direct.  My grandma would tell you as she saw it.  She didn't mince words.  Her daughters are like that, each in their own way.  Her granddaughters tend to carry on that tradition as well (granted, there are only 4 of us).  It has yet to be seen if her great-granddaughters will be that way too.

One more thing....Grandma loved God.  She was a God-fearing, God-loving, Southern Baptist woman of strong faith.  I imagine that helped her and my grandpa get through the tough times.  I'm sure it helped bring great joy during the good times too.

Grandma Virginia Davis & Grandpa when they renewed
their vows after 50 years of marriage in October 1990!

My Ginny was named after an amazing woman who was loved and adored by her family and those who knew her.  My hope is that my Ginny is a woman quite like her great-grandmother someday.

It is hard to fully put into words what my grandmother meant to me.  I still remember when she died, and how I felt like my world was forever changed somehow. I was not ready to lose her.  However, I'm sure she is smiling down from heaven watching over all of us still.

I love you, Grandma, and I miss you!

National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo)

In the last few months, I have become a more regular, and IMO, better blogger. This tendency to blog so much has come from a couple of different places.

First off, I love writing.  I always have.  I keep a journal beside my bed.  I've been keeping a journal for close to 20 years now.  Granted, I don't write in it that regularly, but it is a place for me to put my most private thoughts.  Additionally, I have started many a book, but have yet to finish a one, much less get more than a few pages in.  Back when I was in high school, I dreamed of becoming a journalist, which is part of the reason I decided to go to the University of Kansas for college.  My dream changed when I discovered I had no "nose for news", but my love of writing did not dissipate.  So, now with my blog, I find an outlet for my writing.  It is a way for me to spread news about what is going on in my life and to put forward my thoughts on different issues.

The other reason I am blogging a lot more recently has to do with Twitter.  Yes, I finally succumbed and joined Twitter.  I tried Twitter about a year ago, but was left cold.  I couldn't figure out the allure.  It was boring to me. About a month, or so, ago, I decided to check it out once again.  This time, I "got it".  I'm in love with Twitter and my husband has come to the conclusion (that I can't deny) that I am addicted to Twitter.  I have discovered the appeal.  Right now, I'm following a ton of other moms.  These are moms I have never met and may never meet.  They are fabulous women who also blog about their lives.  Some are funny.  Some are touching.  They all have motivated me to blog more.

November is National Blog Posting Month and a challenge has recently been put forth to blog every day.  After much thought, I decided to take on the challenge.  We will see if I can keep it up.  If you blog and would like to take on this challenge as well, please click here.  Happy Blogging!!

Ginny's First Halloween

Last night was Halloween, one of my favorite holidays.  This year, I slacked in the decoration department.  Being a mom has meant adjusting energies and priorities.  I never did get around to decorating much.  Hopefully, I will do a better job next year.  I am grateful that Ginny didn't really notice that type of detail this year.  That could be because it was her first Halloween.

My girls dressed for Halloween: Ginny as a Pumpkin & Daisy as a cow!

Since she is only 6 months old, we didn't think that she was quite old enough to Trick-or-Treat.  After all, she doesn't have teeth yet to eat candy and just recently started eating solids.  However, we did put her in a costume.  We visited two of our neighbors, mainly so they could see Ginny.  Chris and I happened to score some candy from those neighbors too. Most of our evening was spent passing out candy.

We live in a small town adjacent to Springfield, Illinois. The type of town and neighborhood where people sit out on their front porch and pass out the candy, which is our tradition as well. Despite being small, we had our customary huge number of costumed children visit us.  This year we passed out candy to around 150 kids.  We stopped 30 minutes early.  Not because we ran out of candy, but things had slowed down. We could have continued once going inside, but since Ginny was asleep we turned out the lights.  The last thing we wanted to do was have the doorbell ring and wake her.

Me & my girls ready for the Trick-or-Treaters

Chris with Ginny and Daisy Mae!

It was a beautiful evening and a fabulous night filled with creative costumes, cute children, and lots of candy. All in all, a fabulous Halloween.  I hope that Ginny always enjoys this holiday as much as I do.