How much difference a decade can make!
Ten Years Ago
There’s Grandpa, who passed in 2005, #1 Daughter, Mom with her beloved coffee, which she hasn’t had for two or three years now, and Charlie. Charlie hasn’t changed a bit, and #1 Daughter just gets kinder and dearer.
Mom is working on being able to eat again. She’s been doing exercises for her throat muscles, given to her by her “speech” therapist, although there’s nothing wrong with her speech! I’ve been making her some yummy pureed foods to practice on and build up her ability. The speech therapist assures her that she’ll be eating fish sandwiches in three more weeks. Fingers crossed!
As for Grandpa, not a day goes by that we don’t quote him. I asked Mom, “Did he ever just say anything?” She said, “Not much.” And we laughed.
We don’t leave, we “take off like a big bird” or “go lickety-split”. One or another of us is bound to say, “Home, James, and don’t spare the horses.” If one of us says we’re going to do something, the other won’t say, “Go ahead,” because Grandpa wouldn’t have; he would say, “gourd head”. Food can be “messy but nourishin'”. If it doesn’t look like it’s supposed to, “That don’t hurt the eatin’ of it.” It just goes on and on! lol
Wonderful to have such a loving presence so … so … so present every day. 🙂
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Give your main character a handful of characteristic sayings. Do they irritate the character’s companions or amuse them? Is the character aware of the sayings, or say them unconsciously?
MA
Jane
January 8, 2015 at 10:16amLovely post! I, too, miss your Grands. They are such a presence, I heartily agree.
Unfortunately, my Dad’s sayings don’t bear examination. But sister Linda’s turn of phrase haunts my every utterance. Well, at times, anyway. And if you want something named, well, you’ve got to give her the first crack at it.
Marian Allen
January 8, 2015 at 10:20amOh, Linda can take your breath away with her apt turns of speech and namings. And I use two of your Dad’s sayings ALL the TIME: “He done pee’d in church.” and “Slicker’n snot on a doorknob.” Guaranteed to make polite company go, “Did she just say that?” heh
Jessica Nunemaker
January 8, 2015 at 10:59pmHa! I so identify with this post. We’ve got a few things that we just SAY. My mom always said, “Home James!” I suppose I do too. 😉 The other day after running errands, the 5 year old yells it from the back of the car. Ha! Now I’ll have to add in the bit about the horses.
Marian Allen
January 9, 2015 at 8:32amHa ha! My mom always said, when food was melt-in-your-mouth, “Tender as your eyeball.” GROSS, right? It always made #4 daughter go “YUCK! DON’T SAY THAT!” Guess who says it now? Hint: It skipped a generation…. Heh