Funny What We Remember
Posted: January 5, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized 3 Comments
My uncle Wilson, Grandad, Granettes and My father, at Pawleys Island 1972
Today while I was walking at treadmill desk folding laundry I had a flashback to a letter I received from my Grandmother when I was in boarding school. It was not a letter about much; in fact it was about so little that I have remembered all these years later. Granettes, as I called her wrote, “Today I vacced the curtains and ran around the dining room table fifty times for exercise.” Oh God! I have turned into my grandmother about twenty years early.
One of my favorite sayings is, “One day I put my arm in my coat and out came my mother’s hand.” I think that Jean Harris, the ex-headmistress of Madeira and Scarsdale Dr. killer wrote that in one of her books, but don’t quote me on that. We just never know when traits of people we are related to are going to surface and usually they appear long before we recognize where they come from.
I think that my boarding school fifteen-year old self thought about my Grandmother vacuuming the curtains as the most mundane and boring thing and worse yet it was committed to paper in her letter to me. Now don’t get me wrong, at boarding school I was thrilled to receive any mail at all, the proof being that I still remember that letter, but it was the late 1970’s and I certainly felt like women had progressed beyond house work.
Certainly my Grandmother had. She taught reading to people who were deemed unteachable well before learning differences were a recognized diagnosis, but she never wrote me about doing that. Granettes also took in people who were otherwise shut out by society, but she did not write me about that, or perhaps she did and I don’t remember.
So here I walk, writing, folding laundry and answering e-mail in a similar way to my Grandmother running around the dining room table to get exercise. “I put my leg in my pants and out came my grandmother’s foot,” in an homage to Jean Harris.
I know that my fifteen year old cannot recognize my traits in herself yet, but they are there. Carter will have this blog to look back at and reference. I wonder how old you have to get before you can see these things?
Less Dana, More Good 
Dana, how right you are! I now have my mother’s knarled hands attached to MY wrists. What telling memories about your Granettes, my dear Aunt Margaret..she was a woman ahead of her times in many ways. Do you know about her swimming Lake Como here in Italy? If not, ask your Dad..a marvelous story. She and your grandfather welcomed my Italian husband as if he had been a long lost friend the first time they met him. He remembers and holds that experience dear to this day..he in his broken English and they talked up a blue streak! The pic is priceless! I look forward to reading your blog each evening..keep up your good work..and the hardest..being a mom..and most precious! Love to you,Russ, Carter and your parents. Tomorrow is the Epiphany..last day of our holidays and celebrated also with the Befana..look it up if you are unfamiliar with it..she is an ugly old woman reminiscent of a witch who rides the night on a broomstick to bring gifts to children tomorrow..we women here are quite fond of being Befanas! Ready to ride! So Buona Onorary Befana! Hugs and kisses..Cousin Kennon
When you recognize these things aren’t they startling and comforting all at the same time. Such a glorious ride life can be.
I have waited far too long to say this, but my favorite email each day is your blog. No matter what you write, it touches a memory in me somewhere and sends me back into my past. Today’s is no exception. I had never heard that expression before, but I certainly see my mother’s hand more and more these days. And that’s a good thing for me. Still miss her terribly.
Have been busy with my neighbor, Steve Blondy, who died last Friday night of brain cancer. His wife, Mary, kept him home with her and her two grown children, and I helped them care for him during his last weeks. I have done this many times before, but it always has such a profound effect. It also makes me see my own health issues in a different light.
I am seeing my ortho guy tomorrow about doing my other hip. Damn. But it has to be done. Don’t know if he will say it’s bad enough yet, but the time is coming. I have too much to do with my granddaughters and travel to let this stop me.
You also inspired me to get a fitbit, and I am amazed at how much I actually walk without even leaving my house! It has been fun to track my steps, even if a lot of them are limping ones these days.
I think about mahjong gall the time, which is no excuse for not coming. Am working on taking Christmas down this week, but hope to start up again when the club opens.
One of many new year’s resolution!
Sally