Breakfast with Georgia..

Georgia Ruth Orrick is a very important woman in my life. I feel it necessary to include a weekly feature on my blog just for her, as she is such a perfect example of strength and grace. She deserves to be honored and to have her stories told.

Georgia is actually known by everyone in our family as Ruth. She chose to go by Ruth after enduring much teasing in her younger years, as no girl really wants to be called Georgie porgy by the boys. Needless to say, I've always loved her first name and felt the strong desire to use it when I finally did start writing about her. On one of our many Saturday morning breakfasts I told her that someday I wanted to write about her. I ran the title for my now feature "Breakfast with Georgia" by her, to see her reaction. She smiled her mischievous smile that she often gives, held up her finger decisively, and said a simple "I like it!"
So it was decided, I would start sharing with the world about this incredible woman.

As for today, I will give the key details that have shaped this woman, for she has been on quite a journey!

Georgia grew up in the Arkansas mountains during the great depression. A fiery young woman that helped care for her siblings after her mother's death at a young age. While living in a boarding house in Little Rock she met a strapping young soldier, and they married. She journeyed with him through life until he passed away from cancer at 62 years old. Today, 19 years after the death of her husband, Georgia has been through quite a battle. She has survived learning to live on her own again, 2 rounds of breast cancer, caring for her elderly sister until her death, the death of two brothers, back surgeries and diabetes, yet her fiery spirit still remains. This woman does not let things keep her down or hold her back. Her resilience and strong faith in the Lord has carried her through the many trials she has faced. A once young and exquisite beauty has now faded into an older more weathered version of what was. However, when I first see Georgia I can't help but think she is absolutely stunning. She walks a little slower now, and she carries with her some wrinkles, but her presence is graceful and beautiful. She is a true conqueror...

For the past 2 years Georgia and I have had breakfast every Saturday morning at our favorite little joint known as Cracker Barrel. It has been a precious time for me to get to know my grandmother as more than just a grandmother; but as a woman with hurts and pains, with dreams and desires. Our time together has consisted of stories, exchanging of recipes, laughing and encouraging each other. I look forward to sharing all of the interesting things I've learned from her life, so stay tuned....