We inherit more than the obvious physical characteristics from family members, who come before us. The adage "fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree" serves as the perfect metaphor for familial relationships. The members of our families have an enormous impact on what we become, and the ways in which we define ourselves. There are books, screenplays, short stories, poems, songs, paintings, etc which follow the theme of family dynamics. In fact, the most popular television dramas are the ones that examine family interaction.
My parent’s decision to personally involve our grandparents in our lives, made a huge impact upon our character. Perhaps it was the fact that my parents married young, and needed parental guidance to help them, however I am inclined to believe, it was because of the kind of people my grandparents happen to be..
My mother and fathers parents had their own unique qualities and traits.We had the "fun" or more relaxed set, and then the more up tight, "you’re gonna play by the rules set." It is funny I remember them this way. My siblings and I share fond and funny memories of both sets of grandparents. Both our grandfathers and grandmothers had strong individual personalities.
My maternal grandmother’s quotes remain in our family, and are repeated often. Even, words she said when she was angry, like, "DAT Burn it!", and other quotes, "A stitch in time saves nine." and so forth. She had a garden in a huge beautiful yard, which she dearly loved, and put all three of her grandchildren to work in every chance she got. It seems it was important to "Nana," that her grandchildren were enlightened to the basics of gardening. She loved her yard, in fact our entire family loved her yard, although, gardening was hard work! This being the case, she would offer us money, just for the opportunity to teach us her passion. We thought we were actually of use to her, and it is touching to think she put up with the arguments, and temper tantrums, involved in dealing with young children, if only to teach us something about the world.
That garden!
One of those times, when I was seriously gardening, (I was singing to myself and playing with the rake.)Nana ran across a baby rabbit in the garden.
The soil, recently tilled, had disturbed a nearby rabbit hole. Evidently, a baby rabbit ran out of his home, and the tractor ran him over. The little rabbit was in bad shape. Nana yelled across the rows of vegetables, "Honey, will you come help me with this?"
The recollection of that baby rabbit is still embedded in my mind.
Then she said, "Go get the hoe! We are going to have to put this baby rabbit out of its misery"
WE are going to have to put the baby rabbit out of its misery? It was clear there was no "we" to striking that rabbit to death with a garden hoe. There was only a "me" who had to do it! She handed me the rake, and looked at me as if to imply, how hard it was to teach life’s cruelest lessons.
"Go ahead, it is the best thing to do for the rabbit, honey, we cannot let it suffer."
"Nana! I am not going to just chop it’s head off, I’m sorry, but I can’t." I cried.
This protest, held the promise of making her angry, however, a softness washed over her face, and she said, "Do you think your mother can bring it back to life? (My mother had the skills and talent required of the best veterinarians)
Therefore, I dashed to get a box, before she changed her mind, and brought the baby rabbit home for my mother to doctor. This is just one of many fond memories of Nana, there are plenty more were it came from. Moreover, I have to save room for my maternal grandfather and paternal grandparents.
What I remember the most of my maternal grandfather, was his ability to make you regret your actions when you misbehaved. One time, my brother and I did not want to go to sleep while spending the night with him, and my step grandmother.
We were bouncing on the bed, and giggling in the middle of the night, when he came in the room, and said something that made us feel about about two inches, tall.
I do not remember his exact words, but the story went something like the following; After he sat on the bed and asked us to sit down. He said,
"What do you think I should do? I am so surprised by the two of you. Why would you behave this way in my home?"
Talk about make us regret bouncing on the bed! In addition to this memory, occasionally, three others come to mind; the time he caught me scrapping the bark off a tree trunk; scolded me for not taking my dog on enough walks; and lectured me on the importance of kindness. The time I was caught peeling the tree’s trunk, he said, "Sweet girl, how is this tree going to survive? Has it occurred to you what you have done? Don’t ever do that to a living thing again, o.k.?"
It was an awful feeling, plus a dreadful thought, that I had let my grandfather down, by harming a living thing. He instilled in his grandchildren the importance of treating a bum on the on the street, with the same courtesy you would afford the president, to feel empathy for animals as well as people, and that all work is honorable. That it is more important to be kind, than smart, and that there are not always medals for doing the right thing. My maternal grandmother also loved the adage, no medals for doing the right thing. One time, while arguing a case before my grandmother, (Nana) I said something to the effect of "At least I am a good mother!" at which she replied, "Are you expecting a trophy? For doing what you are supposed to do? Well, get in line, cause it will be awhile before it arrives."
Oh, she had a way of putting things that forced you to examine yourself!
My father’s parents were every much as memorable, as my mothers. Where my father’s mother was not your traditional grandmother, she was a great cook.
Granddaddy and MaMa we called my fathers parents, who were both professional people, at a time when woman mostly stayed home with their children. Both of my grandmothers were independent woman of their own mind and means. Anyhow, we went to Granddaddy and Mama’s house every Sunday, Easter, and Christmas.
It was a labor of love, especially when my grandfather took the occasion to humor everyone at the table, an act that infuriated her, but made us laugh. Occasionally we spent the night,and she had us say our prayers, wash behind our ears, then let us eat mm’s before bed. MaMa made every Christmas warm and unique, dispensing brightly wrapped gifts, homemade Christmas treats, and decorations. All these trinkets of security and love created a memory that will last my lifetime.
Years later, when I became a full- fledged adult, I misplaced a utility bill. Mentioning this, she suggested I look in my refrigerator. I thought dementia had set in. However, upon checking, the bill was actually in the refrigerator!
It was as if she had slipped into my home and stuck it in the icebox.
Last, but certainly not least, is my paternal grandfather, with whom we lost when I was fifteen years old. Some people may think this is not too soon since most lose their grandparents too early, however, his death arrived to soon to suit me, and sooner than the rest of my grandparents.
The local Sheriff and celebrity in our small town, People still remember him fondly. My grandfather never forgot a face, and I remember him looking right in our faces when we spoke. Making a child feel that what they had to say was important. He made you feel as though you were the only person in a room.
He brought a laughing box home one time during a formal dinner gathering hosted by my grandmother.He put the laughing box under his shirt, and turned it on,letting out an obnoxious fake laugh from under his coat. Then proceeded to move his mouth as if the laugh were coming from him. He like my other grandparents contributed many good things to the world.
From the time we are small we imitate the people around us, especially the people we admire. It is part of how we learn, and gratefully we do indeed inherit more than the obvious physical characteristics. When I reflect on my memories of my grandparents,I gain strength from their timeless words, and permanent definitions of what it means to be a good human being.
We inherit more than the obvious physical characteristics from family members, who come before us. The adage "fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree" serves as the perfect metaphor for familial relationships. The members of our families have an enormous impact on what we become, and the ways in which we define ourselves. There are books, screenplays, short stories, poems, songs, paintings, etc which follow the theme of family dynamics. In fact, the most popular television dramas are the ones that examine family interaction.
My parent’s decision to personally involve our grandparents in our lives, made a huge impact upon our character. Perhaps it was the fact that my parents married young, and needed parental guidance to help them, however I am inclined to believe, it was because of the kind of people my grandparents happen to be..
My mother and fathers parents had their own unique qualities and traits.We had the "fun" or more relaxed set, and then the more up tight, "you’re gonna play by the rules set." It is funny I remember them this way. My siblings and I share fond and funny memories of both sets of grandparents. Both our grandfathers and grandmothers had strong individual personalities.
My maternal grandmother’s quotes remain in our family, and are repeated often. Even, words she said when she was angry, like, "DAT Burn it!", and other quotes, "A stitch in time saves nine." and so forth. She had a garden in a huge beautiful yard, which she dearly loved, and put all three of her grandchildren to work in every chance she got. It seems it was important to "Nana," that her grandchildren were enlightened to the basics of gardening. She loved her yard, in fact our entire family loved her yard, although, gardening was hard work! This being the case, she would offer us money, just for the opportunity to teach us her passion. We thought we were actually of use to her, and it is touching to think she put up with the arguments, and temper tantrums, involved in dealing with young children, if only to teach us something about the world.
That garden!
One of those times, when I was seriously gardening, (I was singing to myself and playing with the rake.)Nana ran across a baby rabbit in the garden.
The soil, recently tilled, had disturbed a nearby rabbit hole. Evidently, a baby rabbit ran out of his home, and the tractor ran him over. The little rabbit was in bad shape. Nana yelled across the rows of vegetables, "Honey, will you come help me with this?"
The recollection of that baby rabbit is still embedded in my mind.
Then she said, "Go get the hoe! We are going to have to put this baby rabbit out of its misery"
WE are going to have to put the baby rabbit out of its misery? It was clear there was no "we" to striking that rabbit to death with a garden hoe. There was only a "me" who had to do it! She handed me the rake, and looked at me as if to imply, how hard it was to teach life’s cruelest lessons.
"Go ahead, it is the best thing to do for the rabbit, honey, we cannot let it suffer."
"Nana! I am not going to just chop it’s head off, I’m sorry, but I can’t." I cried.
This protest, held the promise of making her angry, however, a softness washed over her face, and she said, "Do you think your mother can bring it back to life? (My mother had the skills and talent required of the best veterinarians)
Therefore, I dashed to get a box, before she changed her mind, and brought the baby rabbit home for my mother to doctor. This is just one of many fond memories of Nana, there are plenty more were it came from. Moreover, I have to save room for my maternal grandfather and paternal grandparents.
What I remember the most of my maternal grandfather, was his ability to make you regret your actions when you misbehaved. One time, my brother and I did not want to go to sleep while spending the night with him, and my step grandmother.
We were bouncing on the bed, and giggling in the middle of the night, when he came in the room, and said something that made us feel about about two inches, tall.
I do not remember his exact words, but the story went something like the following; After he sat on the bed and asked us to sit down. He said,
"What do you think I should do? I am so surprised by the two of you. Why would you behave this way in my home?"
Talk about make us regret bouncing on the bed! In addition to this memory, occasionally, three others come to mind; the time he caught me scrapping the bark off a tree trunk; scolded me for not taking my dog on enough walks; and lectured me on the importance of kindness. The time I was caught peeling the tree’s trunk, he said, "Sweet girl, how is this tree going to survive? Has it occurred to you what you have done? Don’t ever do that to a living thing again, o.k.?"
It was an awful feeling, plus a dreadful thought, that I had let my grandfather down, by harming a living thing. He instilled in his grandchildren the importance of treating a bum on the on the street, with the same courtesy you would afford the president, to feel empathy for animals as well as people, and that all work is honorable. That it is more important to be kind, than smart, and that there are not always medals for doing the right thing. My maternal grandmother also loved the adage, no medals for doing the right thing. One time, while arguing a case before my grandmother, (Nana) I said something to the effect of "At least I am a good mother!" at which she replied, "Are you expecting a trophy? For doing what you are supposed to do? Well, get in line, cause it will be awhile before it arrives."
Oh, she had a way of putting things that forced you to examine yourself!
My father’s parents were every much as memorable, as my mothers. Where my father’s mother was not your traditional grandmother, she was a great cook.
Granddaddy and MaMa we called my fathers parents, who were both professional people, at a time when woman mostly stayed home with their children. Both of my grandmothers were independent woman of their own mind and means. Anyhow, we went to Granddaddy and Mama’s house every Sunday, Easter, and Christmas.
It was a labor of love, especially when my grandfather took the occasion to humor everyone at the table, an act that infuriated her, but made us laugh. Occasionally we spent the night,and she had us say our prayers, wash behind our ears, then let us eat mm’s before bed. MaMa made every Christmas warm and unique, dispensing brightly wrapped gifts, homemade Christmas treats, and decorations. All these trinkets of security and love created a memory that will last my lifetime.
Years later, when I became a full- fledged adult, I misplaced a utility bill. Mentioning this, she suggested I look in my refrigerator. I thought dementia had set in. However, upon checking, the bill was actually in the refrigerator!
It was as if she had slipped into my home and stuck it in the icebox.
Last, but certainly not least, is my paternal grandfather, with whom we lost when I was fifteen years old. Some people may think this is not too soon since most lose their grandparents too early, however, his death arrived to soon to suit me, and sooner than the rest of my grandparents.
The local Sheriff and celebrity in our small town, People still remember him fondly. My grandfather never forgot a face, and I remember him looking right in our faces when we spoke. Making a child feel that what they had to say was important. He made you feel as though you were the only person in a room.
He brought a laughing box home one time during a formal dinner gathering hosted by my grandmother.He put the laughing box under his shirt, and turned it on,letting out an obnoxious fake laugh from under his coat. Then proceeded to move his mouth as if the laugh were coming from him. He like my other grandparents contributed many good things to the world.
From the time we are small we imitate the people around us, especially the people we admire. It is part of how we learn, and gratefully we do indeed inherit more than the obvious physical characteristics. When I reflect on my memories of my grandparents,I gain strength from their timeless words, and permanent definitions of what it means to be a good human being.