Memories of My Grandparents

This week a second-year teacher expressed his displeasure regarding his salary.  I told him that I recalled feeling the same way during my early years of teaching.  In fact I once remarked on it to my grandfather.  He said, "Yeah, in a few years you'll be making a bit more, but it still won't be enough.  It's ain't what you make it's how you spend it." So true!!!

I find myself thinking, quite often. of my grandparents--all of whom are now deceased.

Every time I sweep the kitchen I think of my maternal grandfather.  It was he who taught me to use a dustpan when I was about 8 years-old.  I was sweeping the kitchen one evening while he sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper.  I made sure he wasn't watching as I swept the little bit of sand that didn't make it into the dustpan underneath the refrigerator.  Immediately, he said, "Whoa!  Don't do that!"  He dumped the trash out of the dustpan back onto the floor and showed me how to sweep, then scoot the dustpan back, then back, then back, etc. "You might have to do that 10 or 15 times, but it'll all get in there."

It was my maternal grandmother who taught me not to be afraid of a little grease or hot water popping on me in the kitchen. "Girl, it's just a little sprinkle of heat!"  Without her insistence that I get over it, my family would never have any fried home-cooking.  No fried chicken, porkchops, sausage.  And no grits, either!

My paternal grandmother taught me to be a submissive wife.  Admittedly, I didn't realize this lesson until more recently in my life--many years after she was gone, and my husband she never had the pleasure to meet.  She demonstrated the role of a wife--quiet and agreeable, even in disagreement.

I am thankful for all of the lessons, and there are many more, that I learned from my elders.  I miss them, but I do take the lessons they taught me to heart. I hope they would be proud of me today.

What memories do you have of your grandparents or other elders?
Thank you for reading. 
Kim