Granny with one of her sweet great grandchildren
I was blessed to be raised by two of the toughest people I’ve ever known: Pap and Granny.
They both have always shown such strength and courage in the face of pain as well as the troubles and trials this ole world can throw at you.
Back in 2003 Granny had to have a heart valve replaced that was damaged from a bout of rheumatic fever she had as a teenager.
I was so worried about her and wondered if she’d ever get over the surgery because she had been so weak. Well before we ever left the hospital she showed me I needn’t have worried.
The nurses at Emory said she could have anything she wanted to eat right after the surgery so she requested a Big Mac and fries 🙂 She scoffed up that first meal like you wouldn’t believe and then started asking when she could get up and walk.
The first walk was supposed to be about 20 feet. Granny insisted on traversing the whole long hallway. I said “How in the world are you walking like that when your chest was just split open?” She said “I know if I walk I’ll get to go home sooner.” The next time they let her walk she went even further.
Yesterday Granny’s procedure was supposed to start at 1:30 p.m. instead it was after 5:00 before she was taken for the test. She hadn’t eaten in almost two days and had spent the night before prepping for the test. Not to mention dealing with the symptoms that started her on this journey.
Once we were home she went straight to her crochet to show Chitter what she’d been working on. I would have went straight to the bed and got in it!
When I told The Deer Hunter about it he said “Well she is a tough ole bird.”
That’s the saying my sister n law used to describe Pap after he fell and broke his hip, had a heart attack, and still managed to drag himself to his car and drive it almost all the way home.
We don’t have the pathology report yet, but the news from Granny’s test is that there is a very large mass that is inoperable near her colon. It has grown into the surrounding areas.
There may be a chance that it can be shrunk with radiation or with chemotherapy if it is cancer, but that will have to be discussed and decided after the report comes back.
Thank you for the prayers, cards, gifts, and kindness you’ve shown Granny and the rest of us. We would greatly appreciate your continued prayers for Granny.
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
Praying for Granny she seems like a dear sweet lady and praying for you all. While im talking to you can I as you if you have to have spring water to make kefir water. Thank you
Kathy-thank you! I use well water to make my kefir. I’m not sure if chlorinated water would work or not.
Thank you
Hi Tipper,
I want to give you some hope here, my mum and i were diagnosed with colon cancer 13 years ago. Mum was 78 at the time and hers was larger & causing an obstruction. Because it was very low down she needed different treatment than me. She had radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time which she dealt with brilliantly. She then required a colostomy & surprised us all with how well & how quickly she adapted to it. Like granny, mum used to crochet and knitted and spent her recovery doing these & reading.
I was diagnosed a month after her and have had no problems since treatment, until this year which we are not yet positive are linked.
Mum lived happily & without further colon issues another 5 years until she succumbed to a different and new cancer.
I will be thinking of granny, you & Matt as you go down another awful road so soon after Ms Cindy.
(MiaRosie)
I’m so sorry to read this. I am praying for Granny & for all of you.
Tipper, my heart is so broken for you and your family. I know that pain, we went thru illness with my sweet Mother. All my love & prayers for you all.
Prayers for Granny
My heart sank when I read this, but I know from experience that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. I’m sure that Granny will choose the way that seems best to her to walk through this, and that Jesus will LOVE her through this. (Meaning: to carry and sustain her through this by His love.) The same goes for each of your. You are all in my heart and prayers. More importantly, you are in HIS heart.
I will continue to pray for your Mom. God will recover, heal, and continue to bless her. Praying for you and your family as well Tipper, you are blessed to have your Mom with you, I lost my Mom about 30 years ago and I still miss my Mom every day, but glad she is with Him.
Hilary H
I’m glad I saw this.
Praying for Granny, her Doctors, care team, and all of you, her loving family.
One of the things I cherish most, as a Christian, is the opportunity to pray for, and bless others. Also, our faith gives me great peace – both in mind and spirit. We know that one day, in the Kingdom- pain, sadness, injury, and illness will no longer exist. We’ll all have a new, perfected, young body that will last forever. We’ll be with our God, and His Son, Jesus Christ in the City New Jerusalem on a renewed, perfected Earth.
idk if Granny is having pain, but I’m praying that any pain be removed. That her mind and spirit will be clear, so she can enjoy all of you, be worry free, rest/ heal, and take confidence in the future that all Christians are promised by our God, in His Word.
Worst case scenario is, she will sleep, and never know anything negative again. She can be reunited with all of us, in the Kingdom- AND THE FUN WE’LL HAVE! I can’t even imagine!
But I’m hopeful that she will have a 100%, full, miraculous recovery, so that you- her very loving family, will be able to continue to love on, and enjoy spending time with her for many more years!
I recently saw the video of Tipper’s brother, singing and playing the guitar with Granny. She struck me as being so loving and caring!
Many blessings,
Patrick
So sorry to hear this news about Granny.
Prayers for all
Tough old birds get tough by being tough for their entire lives. Prays and thoughts for granny!
Praying for Granny and you and your family!
Praying for Granny and you and your family!
Sorry to hear this news about granny, but like everyone else on here we will continue to ring those prayer bells in heaven on her behalf.
Those old timers were & are very tough, our saying around here in our neck
of the woods is TOUGH AS A LIGHTER KNOT!
God Bless You All.
Tipper, I am so sorry to read this about Granny. She has been in my prayers for a while and I will continue to pray for her. I know so many other readers, you, your family and your church family are all praying for Granny too. I’ve heard and used the expression “Tough ole bird” many times throughout my life. My mom was a tough ole bird too. I’ve even been called a tough ole bird. Granny still has things to accomplish so she will press on to get things done. She is one determined lady and we all love her too, even though most of us have never met her in person. Praying for you all too!
Prayers for Granny and your beautiful family.
Tipper, your mother, especially, your family, and you are in my prayers. “Dear Lord, bless Granny (Mrs. Wilson) with healing, recovery, and wellness, by Your will and grace. Bless her family, as they care for her. Bless and guide the medical staff, as they tend to her care. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
I read your articles, about the passing of your father, of 4/20/20216 and 4/19/2017. I also read your article, about your mother’s 83rd birthday, of 3/6/2023. Your family and you have a rich inheritance of Appalachian heritage that y’all are continuing. The heritage is based on Christian living and faith. Wishing all of y’all God’s richest blessings and comfort, Marion W. Ferrell (by pseudonym, M. Fearghail, on the Appalachian Irishman).
Continued prayers for Granny and for you and your family.
Sending my prayers for granny.
I also know how hard this is to you and your family, so I’m also sending my thoughts and prayers to all of you.
I’m so sorry, Tipper. Your sweet mother is a treasure. Prayers for comfort and encouraging news in the coming days.
Even though I’ve never met Granny or any of your family, I feel like I’ve known y’all forever. I’m praying for healing & Gods Devine will be done. Much love from Arkansas ❤️
Much love and prayers to all of you. Keep in mind, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Your faith and family will be your strength, and y’all are just as tough as Granny!
Oh what a sweet, precious picture of Granny there with one of her great grandchildren. It made tears come to my eyes and touched my heart. I’ll be praying for her and for all of ya’all. Sometimes words escape me and I can’t express how much I care, but I do, I truly do. I never thought I could make it if my Daddy or Mama died but that was before I became a follower of Jesus. Now I know that this life is temporary and someday we will live in the Sweet Forever with Jesus all because of God’s Precious Plan of Salvation. God sent the Great Comforter and I have made it yet I still miss them. This life is not all there is, there’s a Better Home Awaiting in Heaven. Love you sweet friend, be strong in the Lord.
Oh what a sweet, precious picture of Granny there with one of her great grandchildren. It made tears come to my eyes and touched my heart. I’ll be praying for her and for all of ya’all. Sometimes words escape me and I can’t express how much I care, but I do, I truly do. I never thought I could make it if my Daddy or Mama died but that was before I became a follower of Jesus. Now I know that this life is temporary and someday we will live in the Sweet Forever with Jesus all because of God’s Precious Plan of Salvation. God sent the Great Comforter and I have made it yet I still miss them. This life is not all there is, there’s a Better Home Awaiting in Heaven. Love you sweet friend, be strong in the Lord.
I’m certainly agreeing with these prayers for Precious Granny and sending love your way!
Will be praying for Granny and your family.
Love and prayers going out to all of you and Granny.
Your Granny is a very beautiful lady. When I watch you talking to her I can sense that precious sweet spirit within her. l am lifting her up in prayer. He is the great physician . She has such a beautiful smile and I love her beautiful crochet. May God bless all of your family and meet every need you have. Your family blesses so many. God’s love will keep you and Granny.
Thoughts and prayers for Granny. I hope and pray for good news for her. There’s no way I could have done like her. I would been resting. She such a sweet soul. God bless you granny. we love you.
I checked your blog, Tipper, to see if there was any news of Granny…so sorry…I will continue to pray for you all. Being a tough ol’ bird is how we describe folks like Granny here in Montana too. Not many tough ol’ birds left though. God bless in this trying time…
Just to be clear, my 10:47 post today referred to Darlene’s earlier post about being tougher than woodpecker lips. I do love picturesque expressions…and that was a new one
Miss Louzine is the prettiest bird in the forest with the sweetest song and the most pluck.
Granny is a woman after my own heart. I remember after our daughter had just given birth to our granddaughter, and beforehand kept saying “Mama, I can’t do it” and I said YES she could! We obtained a beautiful granddaughter. I held on to my son in law so he wouldn’t pass out:) Daddy was on the other side. Our daughter then proceeded to eat a huge turkey sandwich. It’s that Bue Ridge Mountains, Glassy Rock stamina that she obtained from our forefathers. Strong Scotch-Irish folks, more Scotch.
Tipper, Our prayers go out for Granny, and for all of you. She knows that she has to keep going! I feel like I know your family, and just got a thank you from one of the daughters for ordering the CD. Etsy said it should be here soon.
My Mama was such a woman as Granny. Always working, always supporting her family with love, good food, and prayers.
God Bless, and be with all of you!
Continued prayers for Granny and all the Pressley and Wilson clan. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
We went through a year full of loss of loved ones so I truly feel for yall. Seeing loved ones suffering pain and maybe fear feels almost unbearable. Miss Granny is a wonderful person and I pray she will be able to stay in this world pain free for a long time.
I believe that God’s will will be done in Granny’s life, and ours, but whether an event or an outcome is allowed by His permissive will or caused by His intentional will, we cannot know. That is God’s business. It occurred to me that the outcome in Granny’s earthly journey might depend on her own will and private prayers.
This one’s for Granny. I guess I can call her “Granny” ; she’s younger than I am! And she acts even younger. She’s an enduring treasure for sure. Please give her an extra hug (if you can catch her!)
Sending love and prayers for precious Granny.
Lifting prayers up for Granny and all of you. May the Lord continue to surround you with comfort and strength.
Tipper , Prayers for Granny . You have a wonderful loving family ❤️
Granny reminds me of my own sweet mother that was also a tough, strong woman. I praise God that He gave me tough, strong, God-fearing parents. I know Granny is trusting God in whatever plan He has for her life. Continued prayers for her and all of you.
I am so sorry to hear of Granny’s trials! And, his on the heels of Miss Cindy. You all are in my prayers.
Praying for your sweet mama and your family.
May God heal Granny soon. I have full confidence that Jesus will do what is best for Granny because He loves her.
I’m sending the best love and prayers to your whole family, granny is a jewel & we love her, prayers to her.❤️ Isaiah 41:10
So very sorry for this news! We are praying for all of you.
Oh, so very sorry. Praying for strength and comfort for you all as you continue through this season.
Yes. I was also raised by tough people. When I was a kid I would tell mom “ I don’t feel good I need to stay home today.Mom would say “let’s take your temp, or let me call doctor and see if we can get in”Well I got better real quick. When I was a kid if Mom or. Daddy told me or my brothers or sisters go outside the sunshine is good for you. We did everything we were told. If not we could count on the leather strap waiting for you. I grew up to be a strong healthy woman. Loved my parents more than I can tell you. Take Granny in you arms and love her. You only have one Mom.
Tons of prayers for you all. I lost my love of 51 years 2 years ago and 3 short weeks later my Daddy.
Granny and your family are being covered in prayer, just as Miss Cindy was. God will provide the
strength for her to walk this path.
I am praying for your Mama and for you and your family, Tipper. Your Mama reminds me so much of my own because of her sweet and gentle nature. She doesn’t crochet, but she spends her free time reading lots of Amish books. She is also a tough ole bird. We are so lucky to have mothers like that. God Bless!!
Tipper, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m sure you take inspiration from both your parents and that you and Matt are becoming tough old birds yourselves as well as your girls. There is so much to learn from the older generation that is passed to the next one.
My Mother’s heart was damaged from having Rheumatic Fever too and even though she had three heart attacks she kept on walking in her faith. I would have used the same sentence Tipper that you used, I was blessed to be raised by two of the toughest people I know. I had the same surgery Granny had where they replaced a valve in my heart but mine was just a little two inch scar where they went in above the breast. Granny’s surgery was much more invasive. I’m praying for Granny and your family.
Continued prayers. I was thinking of you all last night. God bless.
How could a tough old bird describe such a sweet lady? Granny is a tough cookie! A tough sugar cookie and you can tell her I said so!
Amen!
Granny has so much tenacity & an attitude that you don’t just sit down & worry about the trouble that comes your way in life. I know that she is leaving this bump in the road up to God & that she knows that His plan is enough for her. Praying for her as she goes through this & for your entire family & the doctors & staff as you/they look after her. Hugs!
Prayers and love to all of you. Go quietly on and trust Jesus. Take care and God bless ❣️
Praying for all of you!
Prayers for Granny, hope the treatments work for her.
I’m keeping Granny and you all in my prayers.
Granny was cut from the same mold as my parents, a mold that made them all tough as nails. The older generation never complained and didn’t want to be a burden on anyone. Maybe that’s why Granny’s mass became so large before she asked for help. God has a plan for Granny and all she has to do is trust Him. It breaks my heart to hear that her illness could be one of the ugliest words we know. We will keep praying that it is not!
I’m sorry to hear the news about Granny. Praying the Lord will give you wisdom, strength and peace as you navigate this situation.
Praying for Granny and you all
Praying for all of you! Your mother is strong and gets her strength from the Lord. May God give you all strength during this difficult time. Praying for complete healing. Give Granny hugs from me ❤️
Praying for Granny and all of you❤️
Many prayers are lifted up for Granny and your family. “When it rains it pours “
Tipper, we are lifting Granny and you all up in prayer.
It’s a good thing we were raised by tough folks who showed us how to get by! I sure appreciate HR heritage and I know you all do too. My thoughts and prayers are with Granny and all of you! God bless you and yours❤❤
Lifting Granny and all of you up in prayer. She is an amazing woman of strength and such an inspiration to all. I enjoy the videos you share of her and her crocheting talents. May God carry all of you during this battle and difficult time. Keep sharing those delicious green beans and “Cherokee Reds” with her!
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, your momma knows where her strength comes from. Praying for all the family. God is faithful.
So difficult. I lost both of my parents and my only brother to cancer. But God meets us right where we are… Praying for healing, peace and comfort.
My heart breaks for you and your family Tipper. Dealing with Granny’s illness so soon after Mrs Cindy’s passing, just isn’t fair. I will continue to pray for Granny as well as you & your family.
Granny isn’t as old as my Mama , but they grew up at a time when life was hard, a time when quitting wasn’t an option, where they had to work hard to survive. That’s what makes Granny & our Granny Clyda tough ole birds!
I had shared with you about my mama’s illness – hospitalization in May & her going into a nursing facility after the hospital stay. Sadly she has continued to decline and is under hospice care there now. Mama was diagnosed with mouth cancer 10 years ago. After a very invasive surgery to remove the cancer & all her upper teeth, she went thru daily radiation for 6 weeks. Her nutritionist offered her a feeding tube during this treatment, which she declined. As you might imagine, her face was burned just like a sunburn, as well as those delicate tissues inside her mouth, which was very painful. Those 6 weeks she lived on pudding , jello & liquids such as broth, ensure , & milkshakes. Later her nutritionist asked her how she got through that time. She said her younger patients could not manage without these medical interventions. She was just amazed at how well my mama got through radiation therapy. She never even had to skip a treatment & get IV fluids which she was told was a common during this therapy. I would like to be half as strong as my mama has been through her cancer journey.
Tell Mrs Louzine to stay strong & never give up, & that we love her.
Karen-bless your sweet mother!!
Dear Tipper,
Your mother is older. If she has and idea about continuing this life then maybe you might want to consider fasting and autophagy. Dr Thomas Seyfried is the best source on beating cancer. I am so sorry this is happening my friend. This year will be 20 years since I lost my mother. I do very much understand. May our lord bless Granny so she can have extra time here. I was hoping Cory might give you a grandchild. Nothing like a new baby to create a goodness within a family.
My Bible verse for this morning was Psalm 143:8 NIV: “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”
Praying for Granny and your whole family. God’s loving grace will bless you in His perfect time.
praying for Granny
Prayer for Granny. At my mother’s funeral a man told me “she was tougher than woodpecker lips”. I love that saying too, very similar to a tough old bird.
Prayers for Granny, you, and her family. May God grant all of you peace and comfort.
I’ll be using that one.
Praying for your little momma and all of your family. It’s so hard when we receive this kind of news. Trying to sort it out, making the right decisions on how to handle it, treat it. I know the Lord will give you direction and wisdom. Sounds like granny intends to stay busy, it’s a good thing that she is “a tough ole bird”.
This old hymn popped into my mind. God bless each of you.
https://youtu.be/RRhy-sqQ3CU
I wonder if Pap and Paul sang this?
Cathy-beautiful song! They have never sung it that I know of 🙂
Yes Granny is a tough ole bird!!! Prayers continue. Her toughness and love of crocheting are all in her favor as she battles this illness.
I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers ❤
Sending big prayers up for granny.
Our prayers have been lifted up this morning for Granny. We will continue praying .
Blessings
Praying for Granny and your family at this very difficult tine.
Praying that God will provide your Mama, you and your family with the strength to face these difficult days. He is always with us.
Many prayers!
Prayers for Granny, your family and you Tipper as you face this journey. Praying for Gods peace and direction.
Praying for Granny and also the whole Pressley family’s. God is good.
Continuing prayers for Granny and all the family. All are in our hearts and thoughts, Tipper!
No matter what, Granny is going to be okay. Y’all will face this head on. God will do the rest. Faith and love will see you through. God bless y’all. ❤️
Tipper and Family, so very sorry to hear this about Miss Granny. But what a lovely “tough bird she is”.
My mother-in-law has something very similar and it is cancer. She starts radiation with at old home chemotherapy pills very soon.
Praying for Miss Granny and you all during this unknown time. It’s the waiting for me that’s the worse. Just tell me what it is exactly, so we can plan. Then, I’m reminded it’s not our plan, but His.
Take care!!
Good morning! Continued prayers for you and your family and for the folks taking care of your Momma. God is faithful, He will answer and His will be done. Blessings now and always!!
Prayers to granny and your family. I really do hope it all works out okay. It sounds like nothing will stop her! The crocheting his her salvation. It keeps her mind off what ails her because she needs to be focused on what she is doing. Blessing to you all.
Praying for Granny. God hears and knows exactly what needs to happen. Trusting and believing for a complete healing. (((HUGS)))
So sorry to hear this, thinking of you all x
Prayers for Granny, you, and your family. May you find comfort in each other during this time. May Jehovah Rapha work in a mighty way.
Praying for Granny and your family.
Praying for Granny.
Praying for Granny, and all of you. I know this is an especially stressful year for you all! Please take care of yourself, and, if you need to take a little break, we’ll all understand. (((HUGS)))
I hope and pray Granny will be ok. Matt is right she is a tough ole bird, but I really think people of her generation were made out of better stuff than we are. My Mother was the same way, something that would have knocked me to my knees she would brush it off like no big deal. Continued prayer for you all.
Granny and the entire family will stay in my thoughts and prayers
sending l9ve to all
Lifting your whole family up to God in prayer. May the Good Lord continue to shine his blessings on you all!
I will pray for Granny. I love all of the videos with uour mom. We both have been blessed with wonderful parents. Praying for the whole family.
One of Dad’s sayings was, “You can do what you have to.” That fits Pap and Granny and sure seems rock bottom Appalachian to me. Part of the toughness is not complaining. Bless her heart. Continued prayers.
This generation was taught to get on with it, not complain, and that work was a biblical principle. They were also taught to be grateful for all things, good and bad, because God works in mysterious ways and all to His glory. I love this beautiful photo of Granny whose strength and beauty shines like the Sun. Prayers for her healing and recovery and for you and your family–all tough family birds!
I am so incredibly sorry for all of the trials and sadness you all have had to endure in the last few months. Your life is a real testimony to your faith and your heritage. We who have gotten to know y’all and the way you hit hardship head on, are inspired as believers and friends of your family.
My Mom was a “tough ole bird” too. I know exactly what kind of person your sweet Mama is. I will continue to pray for you all.
God bless you and your family. Please know you have many, many people you are reaching by your life’s testimony of faith and heritage.
Her generation was built out of better materials than we that are younger. Thinking of you all.
Praying for Granny and your family. God is a miracle worker. I just love your sweet family.
Tipper, I’m keeping sweet Granny and all of you in my prayers. Granny is an amazing woman and I enjoy her videos so much. God continue to bless her and the entire family .
Carolyn
Tipper, continuing to pray for Granny, the doctors and all of you. Granny sure sounds like a incredibly strong woman. I’m sure much of her strength comes from her faith. Have a blessed day.
Oh my gosh, she is for sure ‘one tough ole, not old, bird. I have been lifting her up for weeks now and wondering what God has in store for her. You have been so Blessed with such good parents and good in-laws. Will keep lifting her up for the journey she, and the rest of your family, to God. He has a plan and we just have to be satisfied that He is in control. Please know that we care for all of you guys. God Bless.
God will send his word and heal granny, ✝️❤️
Heavenly Father we lift up Granny to You and give You praises for her, Your daughter, and how You have worked through her life to touch others. We ask for healing if it is within Your perfect will for her at this time. She is one of our favorites to watch because she reminds us of our relatives that we miss so much. Lord, please give her everything she needs and allow her not to be in pain.
We lift up this whole family and ask for You to answer their prayers concerning Granny.
We will continue to pray for your whole family. Especially the girls.
God bless granny Louzine, ❤️
I am very sorry to hear about Granny’s problem, I will continue to pray for her. Many of you know my wife passed away from having a blood clot form during heart surgery, she asked me if I was going to bring her a steak after her surgery. She did this because of our friend having his daughter bring him a steak with all the trimmings to the hospital 2 days after his heart surgery. This same friend played golf within 2 days of gall bladder surgery, it was done by this new procedure. For whatever reasons, I think a lot of the people of the older generations were a lot tougher birds than many of today’s generations. With Granny’s attitude, she will fight this with all of her power and never give up.
Praying for your family!