Great Day FAM is how Pope usually starts off his cyberspace morning by addressing The Congregation. However, in the world of reality, today (While yet a blessed day) is not what one would consider a "Great Day."

This morning around 8am I was awakened from my sleep with a phone call. As I turned to answer my phone, the ID showing was that of my Grandmothers house. I immediately knew that something was wrong as I always called Granny's house, not the other way around. Upon taking a deep breath and answering the phone, my fears were realized as I was informed that Granny slept away this morning.

My Granny was the sweetest thing ever. You know, just one of those Grannies that you see in movies and say, "there's no way a she is like that!?" Well, MY granny was that and more. Every time I would stop by to see her, regardless how she felt, she would always be so happy to see me, and would reach out from her kitchen seat (where she loved to sit and watch her TV monitor) w/arms stretched outwards and lips puckered for that corner kiss that she would do. I remember whenever there would be a gathering, or cookout as some call it, she would make sure to have some greens for me to eat as I wouldn't eat all that other "GOOD STUFF" do to my diet. She would say,"I got you some greens rite over thare. Oooooohhhhh, Im telling you, I put my foot in them things, you hear me? Go'on and get ya some, I made them just for you!" Lol, it's the little things she did that made her so special. Or like when she would have a ought against one of my fellow wrestlers for what they did to me, or how they treated me via the TV screen. I think she personally had it out for Anderson as she felt he spat on me, when in actuality he "blew a kiss" and then put on Pope's shades. That really did it for her, and you can imagine why being that she grew up throughout the civil rights movement, if you get my grip. I tried explaining and defending Anderson's actions, but she wasn't having it. I completely understood, but couldn't help laughing and finding humor in the matter. Hey, at least it invoked a reaction, right?

Man, Granny was truly the last of her kind, figuratively and literally speaking, as I will never have another grandmother; she was my last. And just like when I would walk in, and she greeted me with a kiss...Whenever I left, we would depart in that same manner, with a nice big corner kiss, and I LOVE YOU. Now as I prepare to say goodbye forever, I shall kiss my Granny one last time. This time however,she wont kiss me back. I shall miss that.

RIP Essie Lloyd- I Love You Forever and Always, Your Grandson~ Elijah