Grandma
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Jane Howard, “Families”
As I continue thinking about what makes me, me; I have to talk a bit about my grandmother. She was the type of woman who always had a kind word and a smile, and would give you her all her belongings if she thought it would make you happier in your life. She always had a pumpkin pie just for me, at the holidays, and took me out to catch my first fish. Here is a picture of me holding the flounder I caught at about 5.
Here is a picture of her and I eating that fish.
She lived near the beach so we used to collect shells and sharks teeth as well as digging up donacks for soup (small clams with brightly colored shells.) We also used to take chicken necks and go crabbing in the river.
One of the funniest stories I remember about my grandma involved mayonaise. She had come down to visit the family and we were all around the dinner table. She was talking about something and began to pour some ice tea into her glass. Unfortunately, she was about six inches off and was actually filling the mayonaise jar with tea. When she realized what she had done, she immediately stopped pouring then tried to drain the tea out of the mayo jar into her plate. It worked at first then the entire jar of mayonaise plopped right into her plate splashing tea. We couldn’t stop laughing and although it was embarrasing for her, she just kept smiling. It was one of the funniest and most human moments I’ve ever experienced.
She passed away a few years ago. I still miss her.
March 4th, 2007 at 7:28 am
awww, wraith, so sweet. what a handsome lil guy you were. i had a gramma like that too. i miss her every day. i am motivated and inspired to push on through the hard parts fo my life knowing her blood is in my veins. thanks for sharing such lovely story and pix
March 4th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Ohhhh, that’s wonderful that you had such a great grandma and now have beautiful memories of her. Sad to miss her so much though.
March 5th, 2007 at 5:53 am
Great post! Love the pictures.
March 5th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Wraith, I’m trying not to be mad at you for making me cry! What a sweet story. I miss my grandma too. Hugs, Rebecca
March 6th, 2007 at 5:41 am
hi wraith, just checking in. this is a great story. i love the picutres. i never knew a grammy, my mom’s mom passed away when i was 2 and do not remember her. i do have a photo of her holding me, so at least she got to meet me. my dad’s parents were both passed on long before they got me, so i didn’t know of them either. my mom’s dad, grampy, i knew very well. he was awesome, but passed on when i was 15. i still miss him as well. take care. poet
March 6th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Thank you for this. My grandmother still lives fiercely at 93! I treasure every day I spend with her.
Seeing the pics remind me of those long ago days…….
March 6th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
hi suz - what do you mean “were?!”?
Thanks all and sorry Rebecca ;)
Hey dude, no kidding, we were so young. I think I met you not too long after this, wasn’t it?
March 6th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Yes. Sunday school. 30 + years, indeed.
March 20th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Wraith, this is a beautiful memory. Grandma’s are very special people.
I have many fond memories of mine, and you just made me think of her, which in turn made me smile.
:-) I must note, your grandma had some very grooovy dame edna style glasses! my mum owned a few pairs like that!
I can only hope I get to meet my other grandparents one day. I received a Christmas card last year from my maternal grandma… which is very promising.
ps. Nice Flounder! I believe my first catch was a Whiting!