Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Mater's Heart

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Mater was my grandmother, my dad's mom. She and I had a very special relationship, especially since I am the only granddaughter. She taught me to cook and sew. She paid me to pick the dandelions out of her yard. (We were also paid .01 per bone in fish - this was to ensure we would slow down and look for the bones.) I stayed with her when I had the chicken pox in second grade. I was even with her one night, sleeping, when she had to call the paramedics - she went to the hospital and I went to my other grandparents'.

These are the things I remember.

Sewing on an old, wood, Singer. Learning to cook granola. How much she cherished the created world and poetry.

These are snapshots I carry of her.

The last Christmas present I every received from her was a brown, Gund, teddy bear. I still sleep with Teddy.

She died when I was nine.

There are times where I ache to have known her as an adult. To be able to sit and have adult conversations. I only have the perspective of a little girl and the grandmother I adored.

I do still have one thing. When my dad was in middle school he made a heart pendant for her in shop. It is clear plastic with a seam of red down the middle and hangs on a red velvet ribbon. I wear it every Valentine's Day.

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9 comments:

  1. Lovely. The treasures we carry of the ones we miss are so important. I'm glad you captured Mater in this slice.
    Ruth

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  2. What a beautiful love story of your grandmother.

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  3. So sweet, the list of things you remember. I loved my grandmothers dearly and had such good times with them. I'm glad you did too although it wasn't long. The necklace is really special.

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  4. That is so sweet. How lovely that you remember her by wearing it every year on Valentine's Day.

    I lost my grandfathers when I was 12 years old. Even as the years pass, I still have the fondest memories, but of course, they're through the eyes of a little girl.

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  5. What wonderful memories. I love the pendant as a symbol of carrying love for her with you -- and it's even neater because it's a piece of your dad as well. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. What a wonderful treasure to have. And to have the memories too--precious! Thanks for sharing this story--it made me think of my own grandmothers

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  7. I too was reminded of my love for my grandmothers and the many gift they gave me through their teachings. The baking lessons, crocheting, such lovely memories.

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  8. What a wonderful legacy and remembrance. I had one of my favorite aunts die when I was nine. I wonder, too, how different my life would have been if she were still around. Wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Your post really speaks to me. I think about my grandmother so much. I like having little things that I know she touched, like spools of thread. I know the ache you wrote about.

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