On January 11, our daughter Kenzy Mae celebrated her 12th birthday. The week she was due to be born, my grandmother, Lois Mae Liddick, couldn’t wait for her arrival. She was due on my gram’s birthday, January 9th, but Kenzy decided she wanted her own birthday on the 11th. We decided to give Kenzy her G.G.’s middle name because they would always share a special bond on their birthdays. I was honored to give my daughter my grandmother’s middle name. Lois Mae Liddick was a pretty remarkable woman.

On December 5, 2025, we lost my grandmother. Knowing she is in heaven with our Lord and my grandfather gave me such peace. She had dementia and no longer knew who we were. It was heartbreaking to watch. In fact, the very last time she remembered me was two years ago. I was wearing a Harley-Davidson hoodie, and Gram just kept staring at it.

I asked, “Gram, do you like my sweatshirt!?” She nodded as she remained infatuated with my hoodie. I even told her I would buy her one at Horsepower if she liked it that much. My momma, who was with me, giggled and told my gram I would definitely buy her one with no hesitation.

“Gram, do you know who I am?” I asked her.

It took her a few moments as she still sat there dazed at my hoodie.

She replied and said, “Yes. You are my granddaughter who rides a Harley.”

My mom and I were baffled. I couldn’t believe she remembered that, and that was the very last time she knew me. Remembered that I rode a motorcycle. This will always be a sweet memory for me.

The memories don’t stop there. Lois Mae Liddick was a person you couldn’t help but love. She loved with all her heart. Her love for Jesus, family, friends, and church family was truly extraordinary. She and my grandfather, Floyd Liddick, raised four beautiful daughters and a handsome son. Five children they had — the oldest being my momma.

I am so blessed to have the family I do because of the way my grandparents raised their children. We have such a loving close family. It’s truly a blessing.

Looking back on how sick I was over the years, my aunts, uncles, and cousins stuck right by my side. Texting/calling me, praying for me, making us meals, and more. They have always been there, and for that I am so grateful. We have always been a close family.

Gram celebrated anything and everything she could. She loved hosting people and throwing parties. She loved her grandbabies with all her heart and would be with them whenever she could. She always planned the best parties!

January brought amazing sled-riding parties where we rode down their big field on the side of their house. Hot cocoa and snacks were always a must. Before going up to the kitchen, all my cousins and I would take off all our wet snow clothes, then hang them up to dry by Pap’s woodstove. We would then go upstairs and warm our feet at the floor registers. Pap always kept the house nice and toasty!

In February, Grams hosted Valentine’s bowling parties, where she would bring lots of snacks and order us pizza. Everything was heart-themed as she rented us a private room.

Easter was always special because we celebrated Jesus’s resurrection. There was always a big Easter egg hunt where my uncles hid all the candy outside on the little farm, and told us, “No peeking!” We would all cram by the door, waiting in anticipation.

Fourth of July brought Gram dancing around with sparklers in her hand, singing loudly, “God Bless America.” No one loved America quite like she did. Man, did she love fireworks!

Fall was the time for her famous pumpkin parties, where we all had our own pumpkin and carved it. She would also have fun games we would play, like ‘Now you have it, now you don’t’. Gram bought all kinds of fun things, and as your name was called, you could pick something you wanted. But once all the gifts were gone, you could start stealing from each other. Boy, things always got interesting as we fought over those super cool gifts we all really wanted. Pap would then take us on a hayride around the block on his Ford tractor. The day was always filled with so much fun.

Of course, Christmas was always special. All of us gathered around the toasty two living rooms and dining room, each taking turns opening gifts. We always sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, too. I do this with my family every Christmas morning before we even eat breakfast, and think of Gram every year when we do. Boy, Christmas at the Liddicks sure was special.

Even if it wasn’t a holiday, Gram just made everything so special. She would do scavenger hunts for us up at our family cabin. Dance around a pine tree in the middle of the woods, singing “Oh Christmas Tree.” Let us all dance in the rain. Have picnics in the middle of the woods. Played board games. All pile in the back of someone’s truck to drive up to the lookout on the top of the mountain to look for fool’s gold while singing on the way there. Cabin times sure were a treasure.

Gram would do anything to be with her family. Making her children’s birthday dinners for many years. Getting her grandkids anytime she could. Helping her church, being with friends, and hosting dinners for missionaries. Most importantly, she had love and faith in Jesus. Anytime I would sleep over, each morning she would be into her bible doing her devotions with her coffee. That was the first thing she did before anything else, then the day began.

Her love for Jesus and her family spoke volumes, and what an amazing grandmother I had. I could go on and on. Lois Mae Liddick left a mark in this world, and no one can ever say she didn’t give it her all in everything she did. She was so loved by many and will be missed. Thank you, Gram, for the deep love you had for your family and the faith in Jesus you showed every day. Until we meet in heaven someday, thank you for all the good times. I love you!

Crockpot White Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:
• 12 ounces white chocolate chips (good quality)
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 5 cups milk (2% or whole)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

In a 4-quart crockpot add all the ingredients starting with the chocolate chips.

Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring a few times throughout.

Stir well and serve hot.
Ideas to add to make it a fun Hot Cocoa Bar:

I added toffee bites to my hot cocoa which made it taste like Creme Burlee!

I also had Andes mints which made it a mint hot cocoa!

Mini chocolate chips for the chocolate fans.

Then of course, mini marshmallows, marshmallow fluff, sprinkles, whipped cream, and candy canes for that extra touch.

Kenzy’s 12th Birthday hot coco bar was hit. I tripled this recipe for her party for 20 people

I hope you enjoy it at your next gathering or sled ride party!