What a great story! Northern young folk talk about the South and us country folk, but stories like yours remind me of the sense of community and love you get down South...out in the country! And the cooking! It's the best!!! I'd bet Jessie Mama's cake with the milk sauce was the BOMB. That even sounds delicious.

I loved the fishing part of your story. It reminded me of my childhood days when I would go fishing with my grandparents. Unlike you, I loved it! That would be the ONLY time that I was eager to get up at 6:00 in the morning to go fishing with Grandma and Granddaddy. We always went up to Yazoo County (Mississippi) to this man's place who raised catfish. Mr. Swayze was his name. Grandma loved that man for some reason! I always hated to touch the worms, so my grandmother would always bait my hook after I caught a fish (or one got away). Those were the days!!!! Every time we were on our way back to Canton, Grandma (she was the driver, Granddaddy never learned how to drive) would stop by the store and get some orange "pops" (soda). Every time I drink a Sunkist today, it reminds me of my grandmother because that's the only "pop" she drank.

Your story definitely brought back my memory of growing up and having my grandparents there. Through Jesse Mama, I was reminded of my Grandma. I wouldn't take a million bucks for my growing up and having Grandma and Granddaddy there. Loving grandparents (or even step grandparents) are so wonderful to have. You were blessed to have your stepgrandma Jessie Mama in your childhood. My grandparents were my father's adopted parents. Grandma was a cousin, as she and my Dad's biological father were double first cousins. But despite that, my sister and I got just as much love (and more) as if we were their biological grandkids. That kind of unconditional love shown by Jessie Mama, my grandparents, and many others in the South is more than all the gold in the world.

Keep Writing! And Congratulations!
Melvin