My grandmother amazes me.
She will turn 93 on August 17th, 2009. I went and visited her with Mia this past Saturday. She has had heart problems and the doctors have told her to take it easy, but when I started talking to her, she told me that she has been working around the house to get it ready for company next weekend. I asked her what she has been doing and she told me, “mostly pulling weeds.” Keep in mind it is late July in South Carolina, so this is probably not the best idea for a 92 year old woman with a heart condition to do. But what I have decided is that it was what she wanted to do and simply because of that, she will do it. She has an extremely strong opinion with most everything and she does and says whatever she wants to. She is 92, what are you going to do with her? You may have read more about this on my sister’s blog post. I told her to be careful and not over do it and call me when she needs work done. But she knows I am busy and she doesn’t want to burden me. I have to respect her for that, but I need to make more of an effort to be available to her.
On a side note, we have always called my grandmother (who’s real name is Mildred) Mia. It is who my daughter, Mia, is named after. We now call my grandmother Great Mia, which is a perfect name for her – Great.
EDIT – I had another memory I want to share:
A few years ago, Great Mia had a pacemaker put in after some heart trouble. We all went and visited her in the hospital while she recovered. When we arrived, she said that we had good timing because she “just had my PPT bath.” I asked Melissa what that meant and she said, “Don’t ask.” When we left, I asked her again. She told me what it meant, but for the respect of my readers, I will just say that the letters stand for three areas of the female anotomy that would need regular cleaning to stay “fresh.” Like I said, she speaks her mind!
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I don’t even want to pull weeds this time of year in the carolinas, I just pray for a drought and that normally takes care of them!!
All kidding aside, I have always genuinely loved the work ethic of the previous generations. However, they have a way of making the rest of us look like wimps!! I remember always looking up to my grandparents, thinking that they could do anything, and even though I only have one of my grandfathers still alive… I think that they still can do anything.
Thanks for the great post Kevin! I just hope that when we finally get to that age, we might have done something worthy of being called “Grand” or “Great” like our predecessors.
Awwwww Andrew that was so sweet
Is PPT anything related to TTP?
I agree with Andrew. I can only wish to have a shred of the will power and grit that some our predecessors have had. I am sure part of her lifestyle comes from growing up on a farm in Iowa during the Great Depression. I have been fortunate to speak at some length with her on the subject and plan to do so more. When I do, I will post some transcript on this blog.
PPT and TTP are in no way related. Sorry Crystal!
Great post Kevin! I’ve heard lots of stories about Great Mia from Melissa and she sounds like an amazing woman – very headstrong and very admirable. Two very good traits that have been passed down the generations
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