This is my grandmother, Mama Lucy. It was in her attic that I spent many childhood Sunday afternoons. She's been in Heaven for more than 15 years now, but I can still smell her kitchen, taste her (turkey and) dressing, hear her reading Uncle Remus stories with a piece of peppermint in her mouth, and see her nod approvingly, eyes closed, while she listened to her oldest grandchild play something pleasing on the piano. We shared a love for music, family, poetry, affection, humor, animals, and tenderness. I'm so grateful to have had the honor of being her grandchild. She was- she IS- my treasure.
and the laughs...the inside out pants!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have had the opportunity to know Mama Lucy better. She has many, many fans!! So many sweet stories and some quite funny. Seems we were at her house when she had the inside out pants. Ha.
ReplyDeleteSandi
this is the sweetest picture...somehow I could just tell she was your grandmother! i feel the same way about my grandmother...i can smell her house and many of her famous dishes...this is just precious!
ReplyDeleteFor those of us lucky enough to have her as a grandmother, she was a singular blessing. Beyond the attic and the kitchen, my fondest memory is the seat immediately to her right, on her piano bench. "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" may not have been a big hit, but still ranks as one of my all time favorites. Those tiny and twisted hands, stretching more than an octave and that gentle nod to turn the page - they are imprints in my mind more vivid than any photograph. And while the music from her keyboard was so sweet, the music she made in her life was even more compelling. If all of her descendants inherit 1/10th of her "STYLE" - we will do well. There is just something to be said for an 80 year old woman who wears red high heels to her youngest grandchild's wedding and during rehearsal, manages to sneak in an organ lesson. How I cherish the picture of the 2 of you together on one of the most important days of my life. Love all who knew this incredible lady.
ReplyDeleteLaura Hatfield Harris
Some of my best memories from childhood are the days I stayed in Glendale with Mama Lucy while mom and dad were out of town. She always came up with a couple of quarters for me to buy baseball cards at Hardy's and you could always find a cold bottle of Coke in the door of the fridge. I can see the spot in the attic where Uncle Sonny's Air Force Cap was hung. I wore it around up there a few times. It was a special place - Glendale, Mama Lucy's house, and the attic.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the attic and of course, Marisa, the bunk house. One of my very favorite memories is eating toast and bacon in her bed while she did the crossword puzzle...."What if we get crumbs on the sheets?" I asked. "What if we do?" was the answer. Also stopping by Glendale on my way home from WKU, sitting on the front porch swing having wonderful conversation, cold coke and cheese and crackers.
ReplyDeleteThe bunk house...how could I ever forget!!!! Memories!!!
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget the wonderful family Thanksgiving dinners. The food was always delicious but the dressing was special.
ReplyDeleteMany good memories.
Margaret
I just love this! Thanks to all for sharing your memories! Let's keep it going!! Remember the Christmas when we all were trying to figure out who BOB was? He had a placecard at the table... turned out it was Johnny! Thus, the Nickname, JOHNNY BOB ESTES. ONLY Mama Lucy would do placecards...
ReplyDeleteWrapping presents at the very last minute...Uncle James hiding money all thru her house when they came to visit....
ReplyDelete