Jewells of Thought

While, Mom and I, were mowing over our illustrious decade a lot of different phases set in. There was a time when we just came and mowed, then Grandma began to feed us as much as she could. Grandma was always the loving and adoring host. She still wants to make us as comfortable as possible in her suite, even now when we visit.

Grandma has always set the tone for her family and guests alike. It is a quality I see in my Dad as well as my Aunts and my cousins in various ways. The dutiful host who wants to welcome anyone visiting or as tastefully as I can say observe guests as well.

Life gives us sour lemons to deal with right? It is up to us to make a beautiful balance of not too sweet lemonade and not sweet enough from what life gives us.

Mowing gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment. It was also a Family duty for Mom to take care of her Mom and baby brother. Grandma Rosie was getting around fairly well at this time, but Uncle Mike was on dialysis.

Grandma Rosie couldn’t take care of Uncle Mike by herself. On those days we usually started mowing and then picked him up as we began to fetch our farmers dinner. He was in treatment on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. We mowed primarily, but not always strictly on Thursdays.

Grandma Betty was always good about taking us as we came. They were with us sometimes when Grandma would already start dinner while we were outside working. This is when we realized if we absolutely could not stay and eat we needed to come in first and say so; she had surprised us a couple of times that we learned our lesson.

It was nice for me to see my Grandma’s together and Uncle Mike didn’t socialize as he used to before dialysis, although it didn’t stop him either. His health did take a toll though and he had to give up driving.

I have a memory of moving on to the next yard we were working on and Mom had the car for some reason and it was me, Grandma and Uncle Mike. I didn’t think it was going to work, but it did. Uncle Mike was a big guy, somehow with the Lord’s grace both of them got into Dad’s old truck with the stuffed trailer. Fortunately on that hot day, the air conditioner was the least of our worries. I miss that truck.

Mowing gave me and Mom some fun and structure that we needed when we didn’t fully understand what Uncle Mike was going through with dialysis. Grandma Betty was such a loving hostess even watching television or a movie with Grandma Rosie and Uncle Mike. I recall Grandma Betty mentioning how fun it was to listen to them both laugh, but especially Uncle Mike’s melodic laughter.

Does mowing ever bring back such emotionally charged memories to your mind? I miss that laughter they made together there’s nothing like the medicine of laughter!