Mother and newborn baby

Granny holding Tipper on her first day of life

On my birthday Granny wrote down a few memories about the births of her children and gave it to me. She said I could share it with you if I wanted to.

August 5, 2023

53 years ago, I was at Copper Basin Hospital with my baby girl. My sister Fay was down at the hospital to see her heart doctor. I came in to the waiting room after being discharged and she said “What are you going to do now?” I told her “I guess I’ll call Jerry to come and get me.” Fay said she was going home and she would take me to mother’s house.

Once we arrived my brother and his wife were sitting on the front porch. They said the same thing Fay did—what are you going to do now? I replied the same, I was going to call Jerry.

Mary, my brother Jr.’s wife, said she would take me on home so Jerry wouldn’t have to leave work. After she left me and my new baby girl at home I gave you your first bath, put you in your small baby bed, and went to bed.

The memory of coming home with you is such a sweet wonderful memory of that day.

It’s hard to remember every detail of having my babies, but once I went to the hospital in a false alarm and coming home we saw Jerry driving a big tanker truck on the other side of the 4-lane highway. Another time Jerry and mother had just left the hospital and I had the baby all at once.

In those days things were different. Husbands didn’t always stay at the hospital while the mother was giving birth. And none of the jobs Jerry had during those years provided sick time or vacation time. If he missed work he didn’t get paid and no paycheck meant we couldn’t pay the bills.

I have wonderful memories of when my children were born. My family was always there to help me. When Steve, my first son, was born my sister and her husband took me to the hospital in a new Thunderbird car they had.

When my last son, Paul, was born mother came home with me and stayed a week. Such wonderful memories make me happy.

Of course, Jerry’s mother and father were always there to keep the other kids when one was being born. They were both wonderful people too.


I hope you enjoyed Granny’s birthday message to me. It was very sweet of her to write it. I don’t know for sure, but would guess the medical issues she is facing has her thinking back over her life.

The biopsy from the mass they found came back positive for cancer. Granny sees the cancer doctor, the same one Miss Cindy saw, next week. We’re all praying there’s some options for Granny, but she told me the other day she’d just have to let the Lord take care of all of it and that she had the testimony my Mamaw Marie had before she died: I’ve had a good life and been able to see all my children raised and even see my grandchildren raised and grown and I am grateful for that.

We will appreciate your continued prayers for Granny.

Last night’s video: Updates: Cookbook Event, Granny, What Matt’s Shirt Says & More!

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99 Comments

  1. Tipper, your mom was so lovely in the pic you showed. She’s still beautiful. I enjoy her so much when she’s on your channel. I only started reading the BPATA since I found your Utube. I think about 2 yrs. I watch the girl’s channel too. I’ve learned so much about Appalachia. I even read the posts. They have been fun & informative too. God Bless Granny & prayers for your family. Grammy from Texas

  2. Happy Birthday sweet Tipper, may the Lord bless you with many more. Prayers going up for your Momma. We enjoy watching your whole family.

  3. Happy belated birthday Tipper. What beautiful memories Granny shared with you. Continued prayers for your family.

    1. Tipper Happy belated Birthday .thanks for sharing your mom’s letter she is in my daily prayers. what was so wonderful is that you share the same Birthday as my late Husband I hope you had a great day

  4. What a wonderful birthday gift! I pray Granny can be comfortable! I thank the good Lord with you for His gift of salvation and Heaven so she has the promise of a better Home and you have the Hope of seeing her again. This life sure is hard sometimes and it seems you all have had a lot here lately. The Lord keep you and sustain you and give you strength.

  5. Happy Birthday Tipper! We are sending many blessings to you, my husband and I. This story was a wonderful gift that granny gave you for your birthday, what a joyous time for her when she had you and to share that time with you. Our Prayers are with Granny, you and the family as you all wait for the information on what treatment Granny will need. I continually ask our Lord to give everyone, especially Granny the help and strength with getting you through this next journey in her life. I know the trials and tribulations of cancer since I’ve been through it myself and trusting in the Lord is definitely the best medicine.

  6. Tipper-
    So sorry to hear about Granny. Cancer is a vile disease. Having been through it myself and then watching Mama go through it. We will be praying for you all.

    1. Regarding your live feed video, Tim said you should put one on the garden then you can do a time lapse. That would be cool to watch!

  7. I lost Mother just recently & due to illness, couldn’t travel to East TN to be with my sister & brothers. But, I was the oldest and had a very strong bond with Mother. I knew, beginning of the year, that I’d loose her before years end. I had not got to spend the time I wanted to with Mother again due to illness, I have a serious autoimmune disease & recently had knee replacement surgery. However, I have my memories! Oh what memories!! I can still see my Mother in my minds eye and here her sweet voice say, “ It’s all right baby girl, everything gonna be ok.” Tipper, it’s all right, just like Granny said. Everything’s gonna be ok, the Lord is with you & in His hands you, your brothers & the entire family are folded into the Grace that passeth all understanding. Blessings,
    Allison

  8. I watched you make the scuppernong pie today. I have made muscadine cobblers. They are good. The letter from Granny is precious. I am praying for y’all.

  9. Happy Birthday Tipper! Beautiful photo of you and your Mom. I’m sure you hear it all the time, but you look just like her and your girls look just like you! Prayers for Granny’s health.

  10. Happy birthday Tipper. Prayers for your dear momma and you and your family. So sorry y’all are going through this difficult time.

  11. I have been reminiscing this month also, because I was an August baby, 75 years on August 15. Mama said that my Dad kept coming to the delivery room, and they kept running him out. Finally, they just let him stay. We lost mama 2009 to Alzheimer’s at 84. She fought the good fight. My sister lived right beside her, and always took her a hot meal once a day. It was hard to be away and out in Oregon, but I was the breadwinner, and had to keep teaching. I spent some quality time with mama in September before she passed away in November. My sister and I are only fifteen months apart, Mama always called us her babies. I prayed for Granny today, and shed some tears. We don’t have to worry about Granny, she knows where she’s going someday. She is going where we all want to go, to meet our Lord Jesus! And to that I say, Hallelujah! Tipper, your family and Granny are in our prayers! Peace be with you all through this process, I also pray that the peace that passeth all understanding, will give you solace.

  12. Absolutely loved today’s post. For some reason, I’ve been in a reflective mood all day. Katie’s video with Matt hit my heart today too. I guess I’m just feeling old and a little bit blue. In my immediate family, I only have one brother and sister left. So eternally grateful for the both of them. We are currently in the process of planning a get together (we live in 3 different states). I guess I need to rely in my strength and the Lord to get me through these times. Heartfelt prayers for Granny!!!

  13. Tipper, when my mother (now 87) was told she had cancer she did not want to believe it. They sent her to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America now known as the City of Hope in Newnan, GA SW of Atlanta on I-85. They treated her and the cancer stopped growing. I do not know if they treat people like CTCA did at that time but if I was told ( or my wife ) I would want to go get checked out there before doing any treatment. I will pray for all of you during this time.

  14. Tipper, that letter is priceless. The inner strength and faith Granny has is wonderful. I also believe in telling our family and friends how much we love them while they are living because once they are gone, it’s too late. We are praying for Granny and all of you. I think we all could take a lesson from this wonderful, sweet lady.

  15. What a special treasure from your mother. The love she has for her family comes through in her words. That’s a sweet picture of you and her.

  16. What a lovely memory to give a daughter. Will continue praying for all of you! I know you will cherish the time spent with Granny.

  17. Lost my mom when I was 25. And she was 46 with cancer. She always said she prayed god would let her live til her kids were grown. ( her father died when he was 45 and her 18) the lord answered her prayer back then. Praying for Granny and all of the family. ❤️

  18. What a love letter your Mother has left you…but then she’s imprinted your whole story with her on your heart. What a blessing it is to have a Christian Mama because the story will never really end.
    Love & prayers…

  19. Tipper, earlier today I commented on the beautiful letter Granny wrote to you.

    I have returned to this lovely corner of Appalachia to comment again. When I read your report on Granny’s health, I was sad. Cancer is such a terrible, destructive thief. Then a greater truth occurred to me: cancer is limited. Limited. There is so much that it cannot do.

    What follows is a poem that gave me strength years ago when I walked with my parents during their last days on Earth. Perhaps it, along with the kindly grace of God and the company of family and friends, will help strengthen you as well.

    What Cancer Cannot Do

    Author: Unknown

    Cancer is so limited…
    It cannot cripple love.
    It cannot shatter hope.
    It cannot corrode faith.
    It cannot eat away peace.
    It cannot destroy confidence.
    It cannot kill friendship.
    It cannot shut out memories.
    It cannot silence courage.
    It cannot reduce eternal life.
    It cannot quench the Spirit.

    I will continue to ask God to comfort and heal Granny – and you all.

  20. Such a beautiful picture and memories. So precious. You look like Granny. Happy Birthday!
    Things you have written about her and her positive attitude are uplifting. We’re praying for her, you all and that news from the dr. will be optimistic

  21. ***Addendum/correction…In my post above, I meant to say “less stressed and more peaceful I am”.

  22. I admire so much the way you and your family handle adversity. Your actions are such a testimony to others. The older I get, the more I have learned that my faith in God is the key to getting through all of the trials of life. The more I let go and let God, the less stressed and peaceful I am. Whatever happens with Granny’s cancer, her positive attitude will be another amazing part of the legacy she will leave behind for her family. Granny has lived her best life and a virtuous life—she has given so much to so many—even to me, a total stranger she has never even met…!!! I truly believe that the earlier in life we learn to deal with adversity—which includes death, the fuller our lives will be. Nobody wants to die and leave their loved ones, but as we all know, death is inevitable. What is really tragic and difficult to accept is when someone leaves this world so young. My son took his own life 12-1/2 years ago at the tender age of 34…I will never understand this; BUT, I know that everything is God’s will when we know Him…and the one thing I am sure of is my son knew God. My son merely lost his way, like so many sadly do—he just could not cope anymore. Through my faith, knowing he is with his heavenly father now, gives me great peace. We are all on loan to this world and we will always belong to God first. The way your family loves each other is the most beautiful thing…just so wonderful…!!!!! From my trust and faith in God, I believe God’s message he whispers in my ear is that life MUST go on—no matter what happens in our lives. I will keep all of you in my prayers as you follow Granny walk the path she has been presented. May God keep you all together as one in the hollow of his hands. Love and BIG hugs now and always…!!!

  23. Granny is so special. What a gift to give her children. My Mom did some things like that in the last years of her life. I know she missed my Dad something terrible and thought a good bit how things were when we were small. Those are precious memories for me now. I will be praying for Granny as she goes to her doc. Hopefully hers will be easy to treat and she will recover quickly with help from y’all. She has some great grandchildren coming that would be honored to know her! I wish my grandchildren could’ve known my Dad. The older one can remember my Mom. Families are such a blessing. Love and Prayers to you all from SC.

  24. Good morning Tipper and bunch,
    We all love and appreciate you and your family. The work you are doing to preserve the Appalachian ways makes us (your people) proud. We have so much to celebrate and be grateful for.
    This opportunity for Granny… Helps me to remember that life is hard. Sometimes it can be down right crushing. But on the other hand, it helps me to remember if we keep Jesus in our heart ( and Granny does) that we will experience a homecoming out of this world!
    Praying for you and yours.
    Proud of you and yours too. Love and prayers, Sandra

  25. Tipper, what precious memories Granny shared with you. The fact that she wrote them down is even more special. Thank you for sharing with us. Continued prayers for Granny and all of you.

  26. Randy, I just love to read your posts. You always make us stop and think, or laugh or cry, depending on what we are all talking about. Granny has a good outlook on her illness. We are still praying for all of you and Granny and her doctors. Share the joy in each day and the love you all have for one another. It will get you through with God’s love and hope.

  27. Such a beautiful letter, Tipper. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    May God heal your mother. If God chooses to heal Granny by taking her home to be with Him, then may God also comfort you, the people she loves so dearly.

  28. I have been wondering what was going on with Granny. Prayers for sure. She is a wonderful lady. And I loved her stories of her children’s births. Times sure have changed.

  29. Happy birthday Tipper! Love you big!
    What an amazing gift your sweet Mama gave you! She’s quite gifted in writing, as I could truly visualize every little detail that she gave!
    Sending love & prayers for Granny, as I imagine her crocheting right now. My Mama loved to crochet.
    Phil 4:13 was Mamas favorite verse and my go to always! ❤️

  30. love this prayers for granny just going to ask a question is there anything that you could that your husband didn’t like I know sometimes my husband does that

  31. What a sweet and precious gift Granny has given you for your birthday. I know you will cherish every word of her fond memories surrounding the blessing of all her children’s births. Please thank her for allowing you to share them with us. May you be blessed with a wonderful birthday, sweet friend!
    Prayers for Granny and all the family.

  32. Prayers for Granny and y’all. It’s a shame that you have to go through this so soon after Miss Cindy. I pray that there might be something that they can do for Granny, but it’s all in God’s hands.

  33. What a precious memory to have and to have it in her handwriting too. Praying for Granny and all her family.

    To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

  34. That was a wonderful message Granny wrote for your birthday. She was such a beautiful woman in the picture and still is just as pretty after all the years of raising babies. I brought my girls home from the hospital as they cuddled in my arms in the passenger seat of the car. Not using a car seat is the only bad memory I have of coming home from my two or three day stay at the hospital.
    I’ve been praying to hear good news about Granny’s biopsy. Now the prayers will be all about healing.

  35. My prayers go out to your mom and your family. It’s so nice that she’s written down those memories for you. Memories of the birth of our children stay with us forever. I wish my mom had told me her memories of my birth.

  36. I saw the spine doctor yesterday – at least six more weeks of the hard neck brace. I can lift up to ten pounds (not above my head) now. It was five pounds. The X-rays showed the vertebrae were in line and stable. Will not be able to really tell if the breaks are healed until another six weeks.

    I still have to use the walker. (They did say to use it slower – not like I was in a race.) still having headaches, memory problems, dizziness and focusing problems. They say it can go on for up to two years and it is all due to the severe concussion.

    Thanks for caring about me and especially your prayers. Please continue.

    One positive to being limited to inside the house is I have plenty of time to pray for other people. Your mother is in those prayers every day.

  37. Happy Birthday Tipper. Granny looks so happy holding you in the picture. I am praying for Granny and your family. It is so very important to stay positive as I well know going through my own cancer battle. Prayers and positivity!

  38. I’ll add my concerns and prayers to the list of many others who love Granny and the rest of you. I was so hoping it wasn’t cancer, but Granny is absolutely right in knowing the Lord is in control. What a peace and comfort to know her salvation is sure! Loved the memories she shared of her precious babies and the love she has for you all. Family is God’s greatest gift here on earth.

  39. Happy Birthday Tipper and many more. God Bless You! Women were tougher back then. They did what they had to do and didn’t think nothing about it. You were a cute baby Tipper and you do look like granny. (sweet granny) Bless her heart. My second child, drove myself to the hospital with my mom. My husband was at work. Had my little girl and the next day I drove myself home. It was cold and spitting snow. It was in March.We had two vehicles there and I didn’t see no since in coming back. I was weak but we make it home. Prayers for sweet granny.

  40. What a beautiful story. You are so blessed to have these wonderful memories from Granny. She is doing exactly what we all should do – the Lord will take care of this problem. I just love her strong faith, her sweet calmness. She is “going quietly on and trust Jesus! Happy Birthday. Take care and God bless ❣️

  41. What a wonderful message from your Mom. I’m sure you’ll treasure it and the beautiful picture for many years to come. Granny is on my prayer list.

  42. Wonderful memories! By all accounts I’ve read and seen in the videos, Granny is such a sweet soul. Sending many prayers up for Granny and for you guys, too!

  43. Such a lovely thing for Granny to do. There’s nothing in the world like a mother’s love. Praying for her and for y’all.

  44. Happy Birthday That is a very special gift from Granny! Continuing Prayers for Granny, y’all & her medical team!

  45. As has already been mentioned here, sounds like Granny is wanting to give you all “good words and comfortable words”. She is thinking more of you all than herself and along with it not thinking it is anyways special. Bless her heart. That is so much what I want to leave our children with. I know that heart and I know its source as I am confident you all do as well. I will pray that you all each have, as the song says, both ” grace and glory” on a second journey in “the valley of the shadow”, remembering that parting (if such it must be) is the temporary shadow only and not the substance.

  46. Birthday Blessings… We have been praying for you all and especially Granny. This has been a really tough year for your family. Trust in the Lord for peace with this. We will continue to be praying.

  47. Happy birthday, Tipper. What a perfect gift from Granny. She knows better than anybody how much you treasure folks’ memories preserved, and she has put into words and shared special memories that no one else could have given you. And doesn’t she look beautiful – within one day of giving birth!

  48. As I read what Granny shared with you, it’s just beautiful. She has spent an entire life devoted to loving her family and it shows because each one of you is like a precious jewel in her crown! Can we judge a life based on QUANTITY OR QUALITY? I myself feel quality of life is much more important than length of life. I’ve had people cry and literally clutch on to me begging me to put them out of their misery or hollering why oh why. Neither of these requests can I do anything about except pray and wrench in my gut for those folks. I don’t have the answers, but I know one who does. Granny knows the MASTER quite well and no matter what happens, she will be fine because she knows Christ Jesus and I can tell you this- heaven is a place no eye has seen or ear has heard to reveal what treasures and pleasures await us there! What do I say? Treat Granny like the queen she is, make sure she gets to eat, drink and go anywhere she desires. Let her live in peace and honor her choices in her treatment. My advice is NEVER LIVE IN REGRET because then it’s too late for making the most out of what we have right now. Wasn’t granny just beautiful in that picture? Just wow! Tipper, you have a tapestry woven of love all about you. God bless and keep you all in his care! Here’s hoping for a wonderful day for everybody! The GOLDEN ROD is climbing high and yellow in southern WV.

  49. These are the stories that should be in our history books. How people in this country persevered and made a good life for their children. Prayers for Granny and your family. Happy Birthday Tipper!

  50. Good morning Tipper. The photo of you and you mama is beautiful. I think it’s such a great idea for all of us to write down memories and anything else we want our children to know about our life. Your birthday message from her is a precious gift.

  51. Happy Birthday, Tipper! I appreciate the intentionality of writing down memories to pass through the generations.
    Continued prayers for granny.

  52. Such a wonderful photo and story to go with it. I’ll pray for Granny and your family for healing and peace.

  53. Happy blessed birthday, Tipper! As with so many, I wish I’d asked my folks for their stories. It’s wonderful that you collect them. praying for Granny and for all of you. This is so difficult, I’m sure, coming right after the loss of Miss Cindy. It’s occured to me and probably you to be like Job’s experience. Although hard to understand, it’s God’s infinite grace to give us that story to know of his love and sovereignty in all things. Love to all your family…

  54. Such a sweet precious story. Things have certainly changed in giving birth today!
    Another legacy to leave for your children and all the grands is about when you accepted Christ and baptism. I’m sure your Momma has done that since her hope is in Jesus.
    Everyone have a great Friday and continued prayers for your Momma.

  55. How beautiful. So nice to have this message from Granny, so wonderfully put and as a mother myself, can see the richness and depth within her words. Those first few moments at home with your baby are so precious. Prayers for Granny and you as you navigate these waters. You mentioned what Miss Cindy said about “wading across” what comes, and that has been helping me as I navigate some things that have been hard as well. Prayers for your wading across. Thank you for sharing.

  56. The photo is so sweet and Granny is ready for whatever God’s will proves to be for her. My heart goes out to you and the family at more news of this terrible disease and pray there is a better outcome.

  57. What a lovely thing to do for your birthday. Granny is a treasure, she is constantly doing for others. your entire family is blesses to have her.
    My prayers are always with her.

  58. sorry i didnt know when your birthday was. granny has been a great mom to you and it shows in your life. what a sweet picture of the 2 of you the day you were born!
    i too hope to be satisfied at the end of life just to see my children and grandchildren grown and serving our Lord!
    God bless you tipper and granny too. hugs and prayers.

  59. Wonderful stories to have. When my mom died and I was “going through” everything at her house in the bottom of the green metal tackle box she kept papers in I found the receipt from when I was born in 1961…$93.58. Daddy was still plowing with mules and the day I was born one of the mules died. I was never sure he thought it was a good trade. Prayers for your family

  60. The picture of Granny & you is so precious. You do look a lot like her. She has such a warm & kind heart & I love how she thought to write down memories of the births of each child.
    I’m praying so hard for her as she goes through this health problem & praying that the doctor will find the very best treatment for her.
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful, heartwarming stories & pictures to brighten & encourage us each day. Hugs!

  61. Sweet memories to look back on, those are important! We’re lifting Granny up in our prayers and praying for God’s direction and will in her and your lives as you navigate this path before you.

  62. tipper …you and your family are very special people…great story tellers…you have the gift …
    I still need some of those cookbooks.

  63. Happy Birthday! What a precious gift to receive from Granny. Those memories are priceless. Continued prayers for Granny and everyone.

  64. I love this picture–you look so much like her. So many people have fallen in love with your entire family, all such wonderful people. Prayers for all of you. I hope Granny continues singing with Paul. God bless.

  65. What a sweet sweet story. Y’all have made me think I need to write down things from my life. My daughter ( who’s just 15) has asked me to do just that. Family is so important. We are continuing to pray for Granny. Hope y’all have a good weekend.

  66. She got a ride home, gave you a bath and put you to bed. I can’t get over that! I remember leaving the hospital with a pile of paperwork about everything that could go wrong. It took an hour to get the car seat in. I was such a wreck! And sweet Granny has nothing but happy memories. What a lovely lady!

  67. Beautiful memories, so precious to have them written down to enjoy forever. Continued prayers for Granny.

  68. What wonderful memories your Mom wrote for you! It is hard to imagine fathers not staying by their wives’ sides while they labored, and even spending the nights with their wives at the hospital post delivery. I am sure if they had wanted to, they would have been shoo’ed out of the hospital by the nurses anyways. I can’t imagine sitting in the hospital waiting room with a brand new baby around all the germs of so many people (yes – I am a germaphobic!). And not knowing who was going to come get you or even when!! Waiting room chairs are not comfortable!! It was a good thing your Aunt Faye was there to bring her home!

    I am praying for your Mom. I pray for the Lord’s Will. I pray there are treatment options. I am a firm believer in natural healing through holistic medicine. I take that route most of the time myself. But, I also know that the only reason we do have the medical advances that we have today, is because God gave us the treatments and medications that we now have available to us. I don’t feel any human “discovered” these things. God opened the eyes of the scientists and doctors, He gave them the knowledge for everything in His timing. Yes, many people dedicate their lives to researching various diseases and how to cure them, but it is still God who allows them to find the answers. I may lean towards holistic healing, but when God leads me to pursue treatments from traditional medicine (non- holistic), I do. I had radiation for cancer in my tear duct eleven years ago. It was definitely not the most pleasant thing I have ever been through, but it removed the cancer, and prevented it from spreading to my brain.

    I am praying for all of you. Disease is a very tough thing to go through. Jesus is the Great Physician, though. He alone sees and knows every cell in our individual bodies and what is going on inside of us all the time. That thought gives me great comfort.

    And please know I am not judging any decision your Mom and your family make towards her care. None of us know what we would/will do if/when we are confronted with the same choices. You guys have my utmost support through this.

    I love you guys!

    Donna : )

  69. I will be praying for Granny and her family. As far as I know, I have no life threatening disease but I found myself often looking back on my life. Many things I would like to do before I go, one is to thank my many friends for being my friend and one thing I can do, I try my best to tell and show my son and grandchildren every chance I can of how much I love them and what a blessing they are to me. I think these memories Granny shared with you is a way of her telling you of her love for each of her children. What more can you can you ask for than to have the testimony of Granny and Mamaw Marie when you began to see or think about the stop sign of your life on earth. I don’t mean for that to sound like Granny is dying but when you get to our age you know it is a reality. It was precious of Granny sharing her memories with you. For many years on my birthday, Feb. 20, 1954, mother would always tell me about the bad thunderstorms on the night I was born.

    Two light hearted memories, one of me (4 years old) pitching a fit when my sister was born and wanting to trade her in for a boy and being told in my wife’s family of the youngest girl at the time their youngest (baby) sister was born asking if they could take her back and get their money back. Grandmaw using her “bad eye “and hand on my rear end in the waiting room of Anderson Hospital when I pitched this fit.

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