You're in our hearts Mrs. Mavis!

I met Mrs. Mavis Banks when I was 17 years old, the summer before my Senior year of high school. She welcomed me into her home with an open door, a big hug and of course a meal. Over the next 12 years I would come to realize that those were staples to Mrs. Mavis and all 3 were always available. I spent countless nights at the Banks house. I couldn't begin to tell you how many pot roasts, servings of chicken salad or cookies I have consumed in that home...and most of those just happened to be there when we got there. Jill and I were always coming and going and there was always food on the table and Mrs. Mavis would always be waiting to hear about our latest shennanigans. We would eat, hug and run some days. Others we would stay and watch a movie or gossip or maybe go shopping.

As high school turned to college, this pattern continued. We would drop in to say hi (after a quick trip to the county line package store) - aka look pitiful in hopes that Mavis would throw us some leftovers or $20! As I pledged ZTA with Jill, Mrs. Mavis welcomed my into her sisterhood, as I had already been welcomed into her family. Over the next several years, Jill and I only became closer and Mavis only became more a valued part of my life and a staple in my support structure. When Jill moved to Atlanta after college, the two of us became inseparable. I looked forward to the visits from Mavis, Lynn and Robin - especially when they would come decorate our house for Christmas, fill our fridge or take us to dinner (and always cocktails!). I loved hearing the news from Metter and even more than that, I loved laughing with Jill and her family at any and everything. Whether they were laughing at us, we were laughing at them, we were all laughing at Jill (chipmonks are real?) or we were laughing about life - a few things were constant... Mavis, Lynn and Robin were working and sweating, Jill and I were trying to get away with the least amount of work possible and we were all laughing hysterically most of the time!

I think Jill knew before I did that I was going to marry FJ and it became more and more important to Mavis to meet this man and of course she asked "honey, does he take a drink?" I remember taking FJ to the Banks house to meet Mavis. It was a quick drop by, we weren't going to have much time. I warned FJ that there would be food...not just food, but tons of it. Of course Mavis happened to have a roast that she had cooked (my favorite) and in order to make it less formal, she was offering sandwiches...as always, the choices were 2 or 3...not 1...just 2 or 3. We filled our bellies and Mrs. Mavis got to ask FJ some questions. FJ also got a taste of some of the earlier days of Jenny & Jill or as some called us "Trouble." As we left with tight hugs, I told FJ two things. 1, Mrs. Mavis had skipped church to prepare that meal and be there for us when we stopped by coming through Metter (which those who know Mrs. Mavis know this was a big deal) and 2. I knew for a fact she was on the phone with Lynn, Jill's mom, right then letting her know that she got to meet FJ first!! That was the day FJ was inducted into the Banks family.

I can go on and on with memories of Mrs. Mavis or moments that shaped my life in which she was involved. I could list off the amazing things she's done for me and my growing family. When I tell people "this is the family, the woman who threw my bridal shower" it seems to resonate with a lot of people how much I considered the Banks family to be an extension of my own. I was known to refer to Mrs. Mavis quite frequently (both directly and indirectly) as Mimi. I sought her approval and felt terrible when I disappointed her. I valued her opinion and looked to her for guidance, support and strength. She was an excellent role model. She was full of wisdom, stories, good faith, humor and love.

As we come closer and closer to welcoming Rhett, my heart hurts that he will never know Mrs. Mavis or get to call her Mimi. I am convinced that she will know him, though. She will watch over him and continue to be a part of our family. The lessons that Jill and I have both learned from her will impact his life and he will hear story after story about Mrs. Mavis over the course of the years. And I am very lucky to be so certain that he will also have the benefit of the love and support of the rest of the Banks family as he grows up and will feel the impact of this amazing woman. And I hope that he can bring a smile to the faces of that family as they face the holiday time without their matriarch. It's often said that to every ending there is a beginning. Perhaps Rhett's beginning can help soften this difficult time, especially for Mrs. Lynn Culpepper and Jill!!

I love you, Mrs. Mavis. Thank you for looking out for me over the past 12 years on earth and I know I can count on you to keep looking out for me, FJ, Rhett and whatever else our family is blessed with over the next 12, 24, 36 and so on years from Heaven. Thank you for letting me into your family, your life, your heart, your home and your dinner table! :)

I love you, Jill. And Lynn - I am so sorry for your loss. If I could say or do anything to ease your pain, I would.