Staff Creative Residency Summer 2024

I drove to Crawford, Mississippi, and revisited where my grandmother lived. Seeing this sign evoked so many emotions. We spent many days driving from Water Valley, Mississippi to visit her. I always looked forward to being with her. 

As I drove into the Crawford, I immediately felt overwhelming emotion. So many days and nights were spent in this town. Additionally, I realized that I hadn't been to Crawford in a very long time. I didn’t visit the town when I last visited my grandmother’s grave. She relocated while I was growing up in Columbus, so it’s probably been over 20 years since I have been within the city limits of Crawford. 

The love she shared with all of us left a lasting impression on me. Despite Crawford being such a small town, I was shown big love and enjoyed unforgettable moments with my grandmother.

Seeing the post office still in the same place, I thought about the many letters we wrote to her, the letters she wrote to us and to my parents. When my family and I arrived in Crawford, we always stopped at the post office to pick up her mail, since she didn’t have transportation. As I reflected on the many things we did to help my grandmother, I remember enjoying being able to do anything that she needed for her to do. 

The love she shared with all of us left a lasting impression on me. Despite Crawford being such a small town, I was shown big love and enjoyed unforgettable moments with my grandmother.

For your years, we would turn right onto Lodge Street to visit my grandmother or turn left off of Lodge Street to return to Water Valley. Seeing this street sign, I remember the excitement I felt when I knew how close we were to visiting my grandmother. I also remember the tears we cried every time we had to leave. Ironically, when my older children would like my parents’ home, they cried, too. It’s truly a blessing to live so close to my family now.

Once I turned on Lodge Street, I felt anxious. Not knowing what to expect, I truly wanted to see what was left of my grandmother's land and home. When I arrived at the location where she lived. I could not believe that the area looks nothing like what I remember. Some of the land is trees and is overgrown. There is a home where yard once was. Nothing about the place now shows any homage to my grandmother. This was a stark reminder that she truly is gone.

I took a photo of the street sign because either direction represented sadness and death for me. If I turned left, I would arrive at the grave site of my grandmother. If I turned right, I would arrive at the church where my grandmother was buried. Neither direction brings me joy.

This photo is of the church where my grandmother’s funeral was held. I remember standing near my silver Chevy Impala in the parking lot, reminiscing with my cousins, aunts, and other family. I could still hear one of the songs performed at her funeral. The song was Precious Lord. To this day, I hate hearing that song because it reminds me of the day that my grandmother was buried. That song reminds me of the reality that my grandmother is truly gone forever.

My grandmother is burried on this street. Her grave is actually right across the street from this sign. The name, W. Lindsey Ferry, always reminds me of the fact that my grandmother was taken away from me, just like a ferry takes people away from a designated location.

My grandmother’s final resting place is down the street from the church. Pulling up to her grave, my heart felt so empty. When I took this photo, the moment felt as painful as it did the day I watched her casket go into the ground and the dirt being thrown over it. I couldn’t help but cry. I would love to have had more time with her. She was such a strong person, and I would have loved to bathe more in her wisdom and knowledge. 

Next to my grandmother's grave is the grave of my Aunt Annie. I am named after her. She passed in 2005, just a few months after my first marriage and before my second child. I was very young when I would see her, but I do remember her kind smile. Her smile was so welcoming. My mom shared really great stories about her, and I love hearing them.