Children play beneath a Christmas tree. During the holiday season, Illustrator Lilli Sams reflects on the strong connection she feels to her family, and especially Rome, Ga., where they have created their most precious memories. “When I think of Rome, I think of my family and I feel at home,” Sams said. Photo illustration by Lilli Sams
“Where are you going this summer, Lilli?” As a kid, this was one of my favorite questions to answer. “Rome,” I’d respond, with just enough of a pause before saying, “… Rome, Georgia.”
Rome may not be the most historic or elegant city like its European counterpart, but it holds my most precious memories. That’s where my mom grew up. Her mom, my Dee Dee, was a school teacher. Her dad, my Popdaddy, was a pharmacist. Her brother, my Uncle Jody, was a few years her junior in age.
They shared an average American life, but an above-average love for each other.
With time, that love has only grown. Now, my Dee Dee and Popdaddy have seven grandbabies, five of whom have already left the nest. But, when their house is full, there’s nothing but love.
In elementary and middle school, my summers were spent best in Rome. At lunch, Dee Dee would spread out all of the lunch meats, cheeses, sliced tomatoes, pickles, you name it. Sandwiches were always on the menu.
Dee Dee and Podpaddy’s house was the place to be.
There was hardly ever a day when there weren’t lines of neighborhood kids’ bikes cluttering the driveway. The girls would sit and talk on the cracked cement driveway, while the boys played sports and stupid games like Russian Roulette with a soccer or basketball. Popsicles and ice cream were hardly a scarce snack in Dee Dee’s house.
If my cousins, my sister and I weren’t outside, then we were inside planning skits.
Now, the oldest grandchild is married and the youngest is a high school junior, so we aren’t as animated as we once were, but our family still knows how to have fun. I don’t believe there is a single day that’s gone by without me laughing in that house.
This family may have its occasional quarrels, but I believe the Lord has blessed me 10 times over by giving them to me–Rome is my second home.
