In Memorium: Doris "Nanny" Pearce (1920-2010)

Nanny was BR's maternal grandmother. I first met her in the early 1990s at BR's cousin Billy's wedding in Dallas. She was energetic, observant, outspoken, and as BR warned me, somewhat judgmental -- a warning I had managed to forget as I sped from work to their hotel on my motorcycle, still wearing a "Sorority Girls from Hell" t-shirt. Not one minute after greeting her, I heard her read the t-shirt out loud, and then let out a laugh that at the same time was warm and welcoming, and yet said "can you believe what this idiot is wearing?"

Nanny was a picture of southern gentility. She had high expectations of her family, which occasionally lead to awkward secrets. In the early years of our relationship, BR was adamant that Nanny was not to know that he was gay. After about the second time I joined him on a trip home to Louisiana, Nanny decided that I would be a perfect boyfriend for his cousin Paige. This matchmaking continued until shortly after BR and I married in 1992, and he decided to come out to her. Paige, however, continued to refer to me as her "backup boy" for many years to come.

Nanny was frequently concerned with BR's appearance. The years when he would grow his hair long, she would encourage him cut it to a respectable length. This prompted a Christmas present one year containing nothing but his hair.

In the years after the passing of her second husband, Frank, Nanny became increasingly introverted. BR's mother Dede moved into a home built on Nanny's property to be close by. Between her, her sister Beth, and their families, Nanny was lovingly cared for through her passing Thursday morning.

I think I'll get a haircut today.