The Apple and The Tree
In addition to her nose and chin, my grandmother gave me several things. Her desire to be enveloped by family and her love for a full house are traits she lovingly passed along. This odd need to feed anyone who walks into my house? I’m quite sure it’s genetic.
I attribute my ability to cry during Hallmark commercials directly to her, and the personality quirk my mom refers to as anal? Gram and I like to think of it as staunch determination. The worry gene? Evolution didn’t see a need to eliminate it from one generation to the next.
She refined my sweet tooth with weekly hot fudge sundaes, and she sprinkled them with a love for the underdog and sense of outrage at social injustice. She’s the only person who always understood what it was for me to have an “old soul” long before I’d taken off the training wheels, and she has an unflappable belief in second chances and new beginnings.
Her life story is one my pen has been itching to ink for several years. It’s full of gut-wrenching personal horrors, unusual road twists, and triumphs that speak to her soul’s unwillingness to wallow in despair. She has the spirit of a fighter and the heart of an angel, and I’m proud to be her granddaughter.
An hour on the phone Friday night reminded me of all the things I still don’t know about her, and all the lessons I still want to learn. Although she assures me she’s going to live to be at least 105, I’m starting to feel a new sense of urgency to know her more and to unearth the hidden gems of experience, wisdom and knowledge only she can help me to spit-polish and lovingly lay in a crown of understanding.
Every day should be grandparent’s day, but since this day is in fact the “official” holiday, I send my very special grandmother a great big virtual hug and a gentle nudge to remind her she has lots of story telling to do.
What, dear reader, did your grandmother lovingly pass on to you?
I still miss my grandmother almost every day. She gave me my strength and my voice. Without her, I wouldn’t love cooking and I wouldn’t know what it is to stand up and be counted.
WickedStepMoms last blog post..Impressions
Grandparents are so wonderful — I have been blessed with knowing so very many of them! I have learned so very much from them all and I agree that I too should listen more to their stories! I hope my children too learn to appreciate their grandparents and their knowledge, skills and love!
Amys last blog post..Feeling So Out Of Touch
It’s been 14 years since my grandma passed away and I still miss her… she was a strong lady, one who didn’t mind voicing her opinion (which didn’t exactly thrill my mom, her dil, but it is what it is!) and wasn’t afraid to let people know waht what on her mind.
I could take a few lessons from her.
Sam (The Edge Of Insanity)s last blog post..Weekly Winners… Forever Young
Wonderful post. It gave me goosebumps and misty eyes at the same time. I definitely think you should do all you can to capture your Grandma’s life story. I understand your sense of urgency and feel the exact same way with my remaining Grandparents.
My Grandma taught me faith, love of strangers, humor in conflict and hospitality. My Grandfather taught me the joy of hard work, how to manage money and the importance of not withholding knowledge/intelligence.
Lisa Ps last blog post..Wearing The Panties
With your Grandmother’s stories and your gift for writing, I’m sure you’d have a best-seller in the making.
Hilarys last blog post..The Great Blue – Yonder (and Beyond)
Your grandma rocks! And so do you for appreciating her in this way.
Margarets last blog post..There’s Never a Hero Around When you Need One
Your feeling for your Grandmother is wonderful. Not everyone has this. I did not. My grandparents on my mothers side of the family were not here for me to know and my grandparents on my fathers side were not kid friendly. Enjoy your Gram while you can. Call her and learn all that you can. I can only hope that all my grandchildren feel this way about me. She has over come a lot in her life. She is a strong lady.
Beautiful! Both of you. She sounds like an amazing woman. Now I know were you got it. If you ever do decide to write her life story, I’d love to read it.
Jens last blog post..Welcome!!
What a lovely picture! Your grandma sounds amazing.
My grandma told me to always wear pretty lingerie, just in case I get knocked down, the doctors wouldn’t find me in ugly and torn panty and bra.
LOL.
Oh and she instilled fear in me. If I didn’t go to church every Sunday, the devils would come in chains for me. That was why she had to bribe me with a cake before we went to church.
Brandygirls last blog post..If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough, but the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
[...] and fighting fit, but I know our time together is limited. I’ve written about her briefly in a previous post. I explained in minor detail that her life story is one my pen has been itching to ink for several [...]