Showing posts with label titusville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label titusville. Show all posts

Monday, January 18, 2016

In Loving Memory: Myra Cook Ackman

Myra (Cook) Ackman
Her memorial at FindAGrave

Twelve years ago today, I lost my precious step-mother of 36 years. She was a determining force for the better part of my life. Since her passing I have tried to hallow her memory with praise because of the endearing impression she's made on all who knew her. Many times I find myself reminiscing about some funny quip or some bit of advice that has helped me through the years.

She was blessed with a raiper wit that comes from growing up poor in the Kentucky mountains. Her humor was quick and merciless. Myra grew up in a coal mining community but she was "trained to virtue and grace, in faith and God's fear." An expert self-taught seamstress, she was rarely not at the old Singer sewing machine. Memory is sometimes muddled but with fondness I remember one joke in particular she would say when 'caught' sewing on a Sunday. Because Myra was of the die-hard Baptist faith, she would say she would have to remove all the stitches with her nose when in Heaven because she sewed on the Sabbath.

Her cooking was superb. A kind of cordon bleu but with a country flair. She could take an ordinary meal and make it special. We are still serving many of her delicious recipes, especially around the Holidays.

When I hear a Polka, her favorite music, it still brings a smile. Her favorite song, though, was Last Date by Floyd Cramer. She would crank that tune up and sway to the melodies that spilled out of that old cabinet record player. Last Date is one of my fav's now too.

In 2008, four years after her passing, her memory was still fresh, I wrote a brief story about how she came into my life.

Rest in peace dear lady. I'll bet you're sitting next to Floyd Cramer listening to him play for the heavenly bodies. I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven with our blessed LORD Jesus.