My paternal grandparents got married in 1929. Grandpa was a
Nazarene minister, so he didn’t put a ring on Grandma’s finger. Jewelry and
other forms of personal adornment were frowned upon. Wanting to be a good wife,
Grandma accepted the “rules.”
Well, she did for a time. Three years later, she
had two sons and was heavy with a third child. Wounded by the judgmental looks
people on the trolley gave her, she insisted upon wearing a plain, thin gold
band.
Six kids, a
minister’s salary, and the Great Depression made for plain living. Sort of.
Grandma loved her hats, and pictures show she got quite creative with adorning
them. I’ll bet she still got very odd looks on the trolley!
Time passed. Buttons
and scarves were acceptable; so were suitcase-sized purses.
Years went by. Grandma wore "appropriate" clothing and did without many of the pretty things she wanted because of what other people might think. But strictures within the church eased.
Like the
black-and-white world that suddenly explodes into Technicolor when Dorothy
lands in Lollipop
Land
Suddenly Grandma wore brooches and necklaces. Always an artist at heart, she now
embraced color. Her wardrobe became rainbow-esque. She’d laugh and say, “If
you’re going to be a fool, be a fancy one!”
Beneath her
gauzy shifts and Hawaiian muumuus, she had a very painful secret. God spared her face, but psoriasis covered 80-90% of Grandma's body. The
only relief she got was from taking chemo, steroids, and phototherapy. Yet, she
wasn’t going to wear sackcloth and ashes. She grabbed for whatever was
beautiful.
I’ve thought of
Grandma each morning this week. You see, I fell (again) last week. My foot is Technicolored
and swollen. (Can feet get stretch marks?)
But each day I go to my sock drawer and find the zaniest, brightest
pair available. I’m not wearing a hat around the house, but I have on my wedding
band. I'm counting my blessings.
God looks on the inside, but we gals sometimes need to put on something to brighten our outlook!
Grandma, I’m being fancy. I learned that lesson from a very wise old
woman.
Cathy
What a lovely lady your Grandma was Cathy...with such a true sense of values. I am so glad that she was able to have the things she longed for,she certainly deserved them and isn't it also great that your Grandpa was finally able to enjoy the changes in his life too?:)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear you have fallen. Please tell me you haven't broken any bones.I hope your foot heals quickly (and no! Feet don't get stretch marks.:)
Praying for a speedy recovery Cathy Oh!... And I do love those socks!:)
Take care lady.
Rosie! How are you? We've missed you so much.
ReplyDeleteThe x-rays showed no fracture--an absolute miracle seeing as I've broken my left ankle, let foot, right wrist and left knee in the past three years!
My poos guardian angel must be begging God for a day off!
Cathy
Great post Cathy! Your Grandma was a gem!
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel down, which aren't many days thank the Lord. But when those days do come, I wear my red jacket. There is something about that jacket that just pull the joy right out of me! I guess it's brightness causes me to be reminded that my true joy comes from Christ and His joy is my strength. Can't explain it but it works for me! :-)
So sorry to hear of your recent fall, I pray that you heal quickly.
xoxoxox
Sorry to hear you've fallen. You're the third person this week I've heard about....
ReplyDeleteI was thinking it is cool that you know your grandmother well enough to write such nice things about her. My mom lives 2200 miles from me, and so my children cannot see her as often as we all would like.
But your words made your grandmother come alive... really cool.
Veronica, you don't have to explain. Sometimes feelings just ARE. I'll bet you look fabulous in red!
ReplyDeleteCertain colors appeal to me more-- but texture is what lifts my spirits. Cashmere sweaters, those oh-so-baby-soft silk knit long underwear shirts, fuzzy velour throws... Mmm, Mmmm Mmm!
Mary Louise, we had near-by "adopted" grandparents because my biological grandparents lived far away. How I wish they would have been here for commonplace contact--but Mom told me stories, and her mother came out when I was older. She taught me how to bake old German treats. During those times, she shared so much--simple truths, the importance of preseverence, how reliance on God bridges life's deepest chasms.
Grandma Smith--of this post--moved away when I was four. They didn't return until I was nineteen.
Your children will have their grandparents via skype to fill in all the years I missed. As the years pass, God will provide opportunities for your kids to love and learn their grandparents in the most lasting ways.
Faith and Love abide.
Cathy
Cathy ! You cracked me RIGHT UP lady!:)
ReplyDeleteI think you meant to say "POOR" Guardian Angel. Bless you!
You gave me such a good laugh which I badly need right now, due to unexpected illness in my family.
Take care and glad to know there are NO broken bones.:)
Rosie, I did mean my POOR guardian angel. But I'm glad the typo gave you a laugh. How can we best direct our prayers for your family?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Cath
Please pray for the Drs and Nurses who are caring for my Mum in the Coronary care Unit and that the decisions regarding my Mum's treatment will be successful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathy
I'm glad she made use of that color!
ReplyDeleteI love it in my wardrobe!!
Essie
What a touching tribute to your grandmother! Very special to have that legacy left you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings (and prayers that your foot heals quickly!)
Rosie, Coronary Care nurses and doctors are amazing. They cheer for every sign of improvement and hover at the littlest blip on the cardiac monitor. Decisions have to be made in an instant. You show great wisdom in asking for prayer for those caring for your beloved mother. May the Lord show His mercy to Mum and to you, too.
ReplyDeleteLadies, I know it's Fathers' Day--so what legacy/memory do you have from your mama or daddy, your grandpa or grandma? From all of mine, I have a heritage of living by faith. On a lighter note, The grandpa married to my colorful grandma LOVED ice cream. He'd always bring a carton while visiting. The odder the flavor, the more delighted we all were--except Mom, who pretended to be scandalized by bubblegum-flavored, blue ice cream.
Cathy