Last year I released a piece entitled Jalopy that is dedicated to my grandfather, Cleo “Grandaddy” Herndon, who passed away in 2009.

During a trip in June to South Georgia I had the chance to play a recording of it for the most important audience that will ever hear it: Cleo’s widow, my grandmother, Rosalyn “Munnie” Herndon.

She recently turned 91 and lives in a nursing home where she says she is “blessed” to have people to take care of her and a private room to retreat to when she would like to be alone. Her room is full of books, artwork she made as well as some from her children and grandchildren, and pictures of her family.

Beside her bed is a picture of Cleo.