MY GRANDMA

1-15-09...MY GRANDMA

Grandpa died when I was eight and I was the only Grandchild that he ever saw. Grandma came from California to Arkansas to live with us. I know now how selfish I was. As far as I was concerned she was in the way. I had to sleep with her and I hated that. Grandma had a gruff voice that scared some babies. She was a huge woman. 250# and only 5'3. Quiet a sight. Of course I loved my Grandma but I didn't know her well. Hadn't seen her a lot till she came to live with us.
I thought she was too bossy, thought she was too big, etc. Mama shamed me for it and I would keep my smart mouth in check for a while then I would get aggravated again.
Grandma didn't have anything but the big box of her things that were shipped from California. She lived with us and that was that. Another mouth to feed, more clothes to buy, etc. I never heard anyone say a word in complaint. That was the way of it then. No Nursing homes, no welfare, no help. Families took care of their own.
Grandma worked though. She cleaned, she cooked and canned, drew water, just anything else there was to do she was there helping.
My fondest and best memory of my Grandma was sitting in a rocker sewing. I can still see her there. She had a cardboard box sitting by her chair, along with a paper sack. The box contained all her scraps, the sack contained what she was working on that day. She embroidered such beautiful things and made pretty doilies that she cold starched and ironed up just so frilly. She even made our clothes, sheets and bedding. We covered in the quilts she made. But still I got aggravated with her from time to time even all the while being ashamed of myself.
Grandma had problems. Now I know it was diverticulitis because I have it too. Then it was a nuisance. Grandma was in the old one seater toilet a lot of the time when I wanted to go. She rolled and smoked cigarettes. Used a bobbi pin to hold it so none was wasted. I was mad about having to wait and then the smell in there was horrible what with that nasty smoke combined with whatever else.
I went out to the toilet one day when Grandma was in there. I thought Heck fire she's just sittin' there smoking cause Mama didn't like the smoke either. I'll scare the tar outta' her. YEP! I'll sure show her. I caught me a lizzard and threw it in a crack on the side of the toilet. It landed in her lap. Now Grandma wasn't afraid of lizzards but it startled her when it fell on her and she came outta that toilet in a hurry. I was prepared to giggle my head off but Grandma stumbled and turned her ankle. Heck I tried my durdnest not to laugh but there stood Grandma with her back to me and she mooned me when she bent to retrieve her panties that were around her ankles. I got tickled again and couldn't stop. I saw Grandma was hurting. I was saying, giggle, giggle, I'm sorry Grandma, giggle, giggle, let me help you. giggle, giggle!!! Well my gruff Grandma got tickled too. Here we were standing outside the toilet with Grandma's britches down just gigglin our heads off and crying at the same time when Mama saw us and came running. Giggle, giggle, Mama I need a Giggle . giggle whipping I cried.
We got Grandma to the house and through my Grandma's protest I sure nuff got my tanning. Yep! Grandma and I were still laughin' and Mama got frustrated with us and walked away. It was in the evening before we both settled down enough to tell Mama what had happened. She said she knew I had done something. Grandma soaked her ankle and it never swelled up just hurt a little she said. Later when I realized that I had "Asked" for a tannin' it somehow made me feel good. I needed it and guess I wanted it. Oh I was learnin' fast the right of things. Yep!
Over the next few days I really got to know my Grandma. I loved her before but it was a deeper love now because I also knew and understood her. That was Great!!! Yep!