When my Grandfather passed away, I discovered something about my Grandmother that was...shocking.
Recalling this story has stirred up a lot of emotions.
This entry is not what it started out to be. But, I feel this is for someone...maybe just me.
My Grandparents lived with us until I was 6 years old. I don't know why they lived with us...I don't know why they moved out. Our family had a lot of secrets.
This entry is about to reveal one of those secrets!!
They moved to a tiny, two bedroom house on Sterling Dr. in Hopkinsville, Ky. We lived at 502 Wooldridge Rd. so it was close enough I could ride my bike...back & forth. They didn't have a phone or a TV for a long time, so I was also a messenger.
My Grandparents, Nannie & Papaw, lived through the Great Depression. They didn't have money or fancy things. They never owned a home, their car was very old. None of that mattered to me.
Nannie always seemed "refined". She didn't like loud silliness or messing around. She was quiet & still with arms crossed over her lap. Her religious beliefs required long hair in a tight bun, no make-up, no jewelry (except for wedding rings and a watch and occasionally a pin on her dress that said Jesus). She wore long dresses with long sleeves in subdued colors. She never wore pants. She was the ultimate "Church Lady".
She didn't show affection very much. Papaw would squeeze me tight and give my cheek kisses that smelled like spearmint gum. When Papaw would lean in to kiss Nannie...she would swat him away and say, "Go on now!!". The only time I ever heard her curse was when she sneezed. Mixed with AHH-CHOO a little...
shhhh--------ttt would slip from her holy lips.
I've never thought I was anything like my Grandmother, well, except for the sneezing thing. I'm loud, I love silly, I smother R & R with kisses & I wear pants...TO CHURCH!! But, this memory...made me question the likeness.
Recalling this story has stirred up a lot of emotions.
This entry is not what it started out to be. But, I feel this is for someone...maybe just me.
My Grandparents lived with us until I was 6 years old. I don't know why they lived with us...I don't know why they moved out. Our family had a lot of secrets.
This entry is about to reveal one of those secrets!!
They moved to a tiny, two bedroom house on Sterling Dr. in Hopkinsville, Ky. We lived at 502 Wooldridge Rd. so it was close enough I could ride my bike...back & forth. They didn't have a phone or a TV for a long time, so I was also a messenger.
My Grandparents, Nannie & Papaw, lived through the Great Depression. They didn't have money or fancy things. They never owned a home, their car was very old. None of that mattered to me.
Nannie always seemed "refined". She didn't like loud silliness or messing around. She was quiet & still with arms crossed over her lap. Her religious beliefs required long hair in a tight bun, no make-up, no jewelry (except for wedding rings and a watch and occasionally a pin on her dress that said Jesus). She wore long dresses with long sleeves in subdued colors. She never wore pants. She was the ultimate "Church Lady".
She didn't show affection very much. Papaw would squeeze me tight and give my cheek kisses that smelled like spearmint gum. When Papaw would lean in to kiss Nannie...she would swat him away and say, "Go on now!!". The only time I ever heard her curse was when she sneezed. Mixed with AHH-CHOO a little...
shhhh--------ttt would slip from her holy lips.
I've never thought I was anything like my Grandmother, well, except for the sneezing thing. I'm loud, I love silly, I smother R & R with kisses & I wear pants...TO CHURCH!! But, this memory...made me question the likeness.
I loved spending the night with my grandparents. Breakfast was usually an adventure! We had bacon or sausage, eggs & bisquits but, if Papaw had gone hunting...we had squirrel, rabbit, fish or frog legs. She'd set the table with very humble dishes, probably from the 5 & Dime. But every cup had a matching saucer...even mine. She always "saucered" her hot coffee. Do you know what I'm talking about?
I was never allowed to "snoop" around their house. I could"play" with certain things. I loved looking inside her strategically organized drawers. There was face powder, combs, chap stick, hair nets, Bobbie-pins in little boxes. There were lotions & creams with heavenly smells. There was chewing gum, mints, hard candy in plastic bags with rubber bands. There were fancy hankies folded in perfect squares & stockings rolling in balls. There were coin collections & Green Mason Jars filled with buttons. I always checked the coin collection for new additions. Then, to the button jar. I would sort & string buttons for hours. Her tiny bathroom always had stockings drying on a line over the tub & the smell of DOVE soap. UMMMMM....still love that smell!!
Ruby, our grandaughter ("Mini-me") loves my make up (esp. lipstick), my potions, my gum, my jewelry, my shoes, my books, my pens...my desk. We both love seashells & I have tons, so she sorts those by size, style & color. I keep them in crystal vases in a built in cabinet in the den. She'll open the glass doors, stick her head in, take a deep breath & say, "Mammie, it smells soooo good in there." Along with the shells, are candles, crystal bowls, photos & nick-knacks. There's also something in there I've never brought to her attention (but not hidden) my son Caleb's ashes. I'll tell her when the time is right.
What's mine is hers...well maybe not now...but eventually.
She knows when I die she is to take care of Papa...and at that time all my "stuff" will be hers. So, sorry Mike...when I'm gone, "Mini-Me" will be in charge.
(Mike says she 'rehearses' for that every time she comes over!! LOL)
After Papaw passed away, Nannie moved closer to Momma up at Kentucky Lake. So I helped Momma pack up her things. I went straight for the button jar. I hadn't seen it in years, but there is was, right where it was suppose to be. What we found next....shocked us both!!
HIDDEN...under the beds, behind furniture, stacked in every closet, stored in every cabinet, were "things". Like an intricate, complex puzzle there were boxes of all sizes wrapped in brown paper, tied with string and shoved & squeezed into every nook and cranny.
What's mine is hers...well maybe not now...but eventually.
She knows when I die she is to take care of Papa...and at that time all my "stuff" will be hers. So, sorry Mike...when I'm gone, "Mini-Me" will be in charge.
(Mike says she 'rehearses' for that every time she comes over!! LOL)
After Papaw passed away, Nannie moved closer to Momma up at Kentucky Lake. So I helped Momma pack up her things. I went straight for the button jar. I hadn't seen it in years, but there is was, right where it was suppose to be. What we found next....shocked us both!!
HIDDEN...under the beds, behind furniture, stacked in every closet, stored in every cabinet, were "things". Like an intricate, complex puzzle there were boxes of all sizes wrapped in brown paper, tied with string and shoved & squeezed into every nook and cranny.
We found canned food, new under clothes, gowns & robes, stockings sealed up in bags. There were brand new towels sets & bed sheets still in packaging. This was before ZIPLOCK, so there were things wrapped in plastic bags with rubber bands choking them tight. In some boxes there were dry cleaning bags, folded precisely. More shoe boxes...with little books with rubber bands, pictures, papers, documents. We found a new & unused complete set of dishes...still in boxes that she purchased piece by piece. Tiny boxes with Costume Jewelry she was never allowed to wear. Unopened perfume bottles. All ... HIDDEN.
I may never know why? I realize I don't care why anymore...
- Was my grandmother was a hoarder?
- Was she a collector?
- Was she a bargin hunter like on EXTREME COUPON?
- Was she a survivalist scared by the depression preparing for another?
- Was she a pioneer re-cycler?
I may never know why? I realize I don't care why anymore...
Now, I only think of the care she took with these things. How they were protected & covered to keep them safe and unbroken. These were HER treasures. Each thing had been preserved for a purpose & a plan. She saved and sacrificed without telling any of us. She had a vision for these TREASURES. One day, when they were needed most, she would surprise everyone & put these things into action!! It all made sense to her. I KNOW this...
Because...In my storage room, I have kept her dishes, still unused.
In my closet I have kept her coin collection.
Under my bed...is my collection of journals.
In my cabinets...are new sheets I got on sale.
In my jewelry box is a ruby ring, I will give to Ruby.
In my china cabinet...are my son, Caleb's ashes.
Because...In my storage room, I have kept her dishes, still unused.
In my closet I have kept her coin collection.
Under my bed...is my collection of journals.
In my cabinets...are new sheets I got on sale.
In my jewelry box is a ruby ring, I will give to Ruby.
In my china cabinet...are my son, Caleb's ashes.
There's a trick with TREASURES. The owner gives them their value. To an outside appraiser, my stuff may hold no value at all. He'd offer me pennies...and I'd say, NOT FOR SALE!!
You've seen American Pickers...right?
Some things have monetary value.
Some things have temporary value.
Some things have sentimental value.
Some things have potential value.
We...have eternal value.
The Bible tells us like any TREASURE were purchased with a great price... II Corinthians 6:20 "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." We are valuable because of His investment!
You've seen American Pickers...right?
Some things have monetary value.
Some things have temporary value.
Some things have sentimental value.
Some things have potential value.
We...have eternal value.
The Bible tells us like any TREASURE were purchased with a great price... II Corinthians 6:20 "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." We are valuable because of His investment!
II Corinthians 4:7
Treasure in earthen vessels, clay jars...
simple boxes, covered in brown paper.
God made each us with unique gifts & strengths.
Are you tired of hearing that?
Yeah, me too...
especially when I feel hidden under the bed
or tied up with string.
YOU ARE A TREASURE...& YOU CARRY A TREASURE.
It doesn't matter when, where, how...or why you are used!
Treasure in earthen vessels, clay jars...
simple boxes, covered in brown paper.
God made each us with unique gifts & strengths.
Are you tired of hearing that?
Yeah, me too...
especially when I feel hidden under the bed
or tied up with string.
YOU ARE A TREASURE...& YOU CARRY A TREASURE.
It doesn't matter when, where, how...or why you are used!
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Somehow, I don't feel it's finished.
Please leave a comment on the Blog page.
The stats provided by the website of those who have visited have
been amazing. The comments don't reflect the visitors.
Thank you for unwrapping one of my treasures!!
If you have something that isn't easy to talk about...
you can write me. It will stay private!
Somehow, I don't feel it's finished.
Please leave a comment on the Blog page.
The stats provided by the website of those who have visited have
been amazing. The comments don't reflect the visitors.
Thank you for unwrapping one of my treasures!!
If you have something that isn't easy to talk about...
you can write me. It will stay private!