Four Generations
My Mother, Lou Lou (notice the Queen Mother pin), Katelyn, BaBa
My Mother, Lou Lou (notice the Queen Mother pin), Katelyn, BaBaWe all probably have our favorite hymns, and if I had to make a list of my top 5, this one would be at the top of the list.
My great-grandmother, Louise, who we affectionately refer to as Lou Lou or Muh Lou certainly had an influence on my fondness for the hymn. To catch you up to speed on Lou Lou, she recently (November) turned 101 and is living in a nursing home in Geneva, Alabama. She continues to amaze us with her ability to quote scripture and recite poetry in the most beautiful way. Growing up, the entire family spent our summers at Lou Lou's "Beach House" which was really on the bay. She has always had a love for the water. In fact I believe she taught my mom and her sisters how to swim. Although Lou Lou was her happiest when everyone was together, there were certain rules we had to abide by.
BaBa, Lou Lou, Uncle Brother, Aunt Jackie, Aunt Bettye, and Uncle Bill at the Beach House
1. No swimming until at least 30 minutes had passed after eating lunch. This was agonizing. It meant we had to sit on the porch with the grown-ups.
2. No slamming of the screen door, or any door for that matter. This was really Uncle Brother's rule, but Lou was an enforcer as well. (Uncle Brother sounds a little backwoods, but he's my grandmother's brother, who is referred to as Brother, so therefore he is my Great Uncle Brother ) This was probably the hardest rule to abide by. After 30 minutes of sitting with grown-ups on the porch who didn't want to run full speed down to the bay paying no mind to the screen door?!
3. No sandy feet. Lou Lou provided a bucket full of water at any and all exits/entrances. You just stepped in, stepped out, and were good to go. This is a rule that my mother has carried on at our beach house and everyone is accustomed to. It really is funny to sit back and watch my husband, brother, father, friends, etc step in and out at every coming and going.
Anyway, back to why this hymn is my favorite. After Lou Lou sold the Beach House, the beach trips were moved to our beach house during the month of October. Lou Lou, Uncle Brother, my grandmother Barbara and her twin sister Bettye would spend the entire month together at the beach. Day in and day out, Lou Lou would walk outside during sunset and sing How Great Thou Art. Loud. Arms raised to heaven. I can see her now. She is the definition of a woman of God.
Having her still here with us only adds strength to my belief that God is good. It's not the sunsets on the beach that make me want to raise my hands and sing How Great Thou Art, it's Lou Lou.
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