Page 26 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2023 - Online Magazine

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Senior
Senior

Nell Ferguson

Becoming Like Nell

By Georgia Rocap

seconds. Her kind soul and
loving heart never fail to make
others smile. Granny and Pa
have been volunteering at
Second Helpings, twice a week,
for over 21 years. In 2017, they
received the “Hunger Hero”
award. Granny devotes hours of
her time to making others’ lives
a little brighter. Having a heart
dedicated to service is a rare gift,
and Granny undoubtedly has it.

Aside from her time serving
others, Granny also dabbles
in art. Every Easter she paints
and delivers intricately painted
plastic eggs to her entire family,
great-goddaughter, and close
friends. Each egg is catered to
our specific interests, or to an
s I crawl toward the finish line Granny my great-godmother. Though I event that happened within the
of graduation, turning a new am not biologically a part of her family, last year. My eggs have ranged from
Achapter in the book of life, I ask she loves me just the same. ballet slippers to a set of Wizard of Oz-
myself what kind of person do I want themed eggs. As I have grown older,
to be? While self-reflection or heartfelt Each week Granny and her husband, and my interests have remained more
advice can be beneficial, I believe that Don (Pa to many), prepare and serve or less the same, I question what the
modeling yourself after someone you meals to the homeless at Second egg theme will be for the next year.
admire might be the best path. Nell Helpings. She knows most attendees Granny never fails to impress me with
Ferguson, a devoted servant, creator, by name, serves them with a smile, another original, personalized egg. The
and optimist, is who I want to emulate. and prays for their wellbeing. While colorful gifts are intricately painted,
laboring over the meals, Granny often
Nell, known to me as Granny, is 83 lets her creative side shine as she filled with love, and magically appear
on my front porch every Spring.
years old. She has been married to interacts with the patrons. As I was
Don Ferguson for 57 years. Together, volunteering with her one time, the Having an unparalleled heart of
they have two beautiful daughters kitchen was short on salad dressing. service, and a devotion to her Easter
and five grandchildren. Granny is not Granny quickly combined 1000 Island, eggs, is certainly enough for Granny
my grandmother, but that is partially Italian, and Ranch dressing to create to be a sufficient role model, but what
what makes her so special to me. what she dubbed “Sriracha Sauce” I admire most is that Granny truly
Her daughter, Amy Muzyka, is my so that no one would go without. represents the “glass half full” cliche.
godmother, so you could consider Everyone loved it and asked for She can transform literally anything

26 Lubbock Senior Link