Ethyl B Hayes

Could it be possible that Mrs Hayes could be 106.She can no longer love on kids like she did decades ago but she still wears that same smile that warms your heart.Her and her husband never had kids of their own but make no mistake she has more children than anyone I know.When we looking for a babysitter the name that kept coming up over and over was Mrs Hayes.She was the perfect combination of toughness mixed in with gentelness.The kids never went away hungry for food or affection from her house.She learned to drive after she turned 65.I think she thought the speed limit was somewhere near her age.Justin always asked for pancakes just like Mrs Hayes makes.One of my favorites things she use to ask me after we started doing foster care"has Jolene had enough yet?"I use to wish she had been my Mother.She was everything that you would want-hard worker,big heart,close to God,always smiling and fun to be around.She told me one time -Lidelle you are the nicest man to ever walk through my door-few words have meant more to me.One day I went by to check on her and she was sick.She would go to the hospital and come out without most of her fingers and toes.That would have devastated most of us but it was merely a bump in the road to her.A week later she was driving and making apple pies. How hard is it to button a shirt sometimes with all your fingers, somehow ,she managed to button her dress with her thumbs only.Where does an attitude like that come from? Maybe working 12 hour shifts for 40 years in a cotton mill, or taking care of a mother-in-law for 20 years.Someone who is always thinking about others before herself.An angel on loan to us for a little while. Someone who teaches us how to love and how to live by her example. As I hold the nubs of her fingers she smiles and says her feet are cold.I reach down and put the boots on and the blanket over her cold feet.She potty trained Jessica,Josh,and Justin. Poured her love into them everyday for years.Treated them like they were her grand kids .We have loved this sweet lady for 30 years.Jolene and I had our picture made with her most likely for the last time.Sometime in the near future she will be going home.On that day all that passed her way will give thanks for for her having passed our way!