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Tag Archives: Grandma

Roots & Branches

Today marks 18 years that I’ve lived without my Grandmother.

She kept me rooted with sound advice like “mind your own bee’s wax” and “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

She drilled into me the idea that you always pay your debts first then buy things you need, if there’s anything left, buy the things you want.

Save for a rainy day.

Stock up when things are on sale.

Keep your pantry full.

She encouraged me to branch out. She & Grandpa helped me find and pay for my first car. When I moved out on my own, she was there to help. But always allowing me the space to pay her back-earning my own way, not charity. I never felt deprived but I had to make hard choices sometimes.

Good life lessons.

Blessed memory.

Remembrance

Seventeen years gone now.

Roses for Grandma, of blessed memory.

Roses

A white rose for my Grandma and a pink rose for my Mama.

When I think of my Grandmother it’s always accompanied by roses. Beautiful red old fashioned trailing roses next to the house. Meticulously tooled leather roses on all of her things. Bouquets of fresh flowers with roses on her “bar”. In her middle name.

Grandma when she married Grandpa W., and the face I remember.

It’s been 16 years now since she entered her rest. She may be absent from this world, but she’s always there in the shadows of my mind. Some times she comes out of my mouth, with some little phrase. When I make potato salad. Sometimes it’s her picture I find while looking for something else. Other times it’s in the way Thing 1 looks when she holds her head a certain way. I see her in my Mom too.

Today I light a candle for Emma Rosetta Wadkins, of blessed memory.

The human soul is a light from God.

See also: https://alaskaonmymind.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/one-decade/

Reminiscing Mom & Richie’s Visit

Since I never made that follow up post about their visit, I thought I’d share a few highlights.

Waiting for them to come through the gate.
Our first meal together at Kriner’s in Anchorage.
A pit stop along the way home.
Photo op near home.
One of my favorite memories, seeing Papa and the kids walking hand in hand along the beach.
Had to stop in for a Salty Dog at the Salty Dawg.
Had to host a cookout for our friends to meet my folks. The weather was right for a bonfire.
And another salty dog. Someone forgot the salt tho, so I guess it’s a greyhound.
These two…
So long, farewell, adieu, until we meet again…
And they’re off. Love you! Come back soon.

One Decade

A lot can happen in a single decade. Things you never even dream about. Life can really morph in ten years.

Mine certainly has.

Emma R. Wadkins

Emma R. Wadkins May 27, 1926~January 29, 2005

When I look back and ponder how death affects family dynamics, sometimes I laugh, and others, I cry. My Grandmother was the type that could really pull things together, or throw a huge monkey wrench into the works, if she wanted to. She was full of vim and vinegar and I loved her dearly.

When your family Matriarch passes on, and the reality hits you that you are now standing in the place that your Mother once occupied… and she in turn is now the “Great” Grandma and Matriarch of the family… your mortality hits you squarely between the eyes. Holy Smoke’ms comes to mind!

I remember my ancient Great-Grandmother W, the lines on her face, her slight frame, yet it seems there was something feisty inside. I don’t remember my Great-Grandmother B, there are only photos of her in my mind and stories. My Grandmother has only held one of my children, her Great-Grands. My children do not have memories of their GG-ma, only Thing 1 and these are limited, bolstered by my stories to her and photos. My sister’s children have those precious memories, I hope that they value them, for they are indeed precious.

Ah, but enough of the sappy stuff….

My Grandma was a lot of fun. She was talented and opinionated. She was dedicated. She was handy with a gun and a hammer. She believed in doing a job well. She was a good cook when she wanted to be. She was meticulous in her crafts. Her sewing and leather work were simply amazing, as was her handwriting.

Grandma taught me a lot of things, some by proverb and some by example. Mostly she taught me a lot about family, what to do and what not to do. I miss her and I wonder how different life would be if she were still here? Yet I don’t wish her back. Each of us has a time, a season for everything under heaven. I am thankful for our time together.
Love you Grandma.