You think you know people.
You think you have them all figured out. Grandparents, for example. My grandparents Gran Jan and Papa are locked into my memory in very specific ways. Gran Jan playing her piano. Gran Jan scratching my back as I fell asleep on her sofa. Gran Jan getting the jar of honey I couldn't reach. Gran Jan sending me letters. Throughout my first year of married life to Elise’s dad, I regularly received letters from Gran Jan. She kept me up to date on cousins and Vienna life. She sent me a little piece of grandparent love to fill my heart when I made a home a state away. She sent me a little peace. I kept these letters because her handwriting- her unique and beautiful cursive- can cast a charm over me each time I read them. Gran Jan's letters still bring me heaps o’ love through the intricate shapes of her letters. Then there’s Papa- always pronounced Pah Pah. Papa sitting in his chair in the kitchen and chain-smoking Winston Salem cigarettes. Papa telling me to go to law school because he wanted a lawyer from his crew. Papa asking Do you need a little pocket change? and slipping me a five-dollar bill- before I left him. Papa and the El Camino- letting me drive him around and around each tree in their pecan orchard behind the Hargrove house. I recently discovered a few secrets about these two. Secrets from their youth were revealed to me in a small stash of postcards that Gran Jan treasured, notes from him to her during World War II. I discovered the absolute enchantment of knowing how Charles, this handsome Navy officer in the Pacific theatre, expressed his true love for his young and accomplished wife, JoAnne. He began each letter the same way: My Darling. On October 4, 1944, Charles wrote, My Darling- Wish you could see the moon with me again tonight- it is so big and beautiful as if it was meant for us alone-One day it will be ours again. What did you get for little “Woodruff”- I hope you could get something nice though I know it’s hard to find such things. Darling, I got the little can of cookies about a month after you mailed them- I know I wrote you about it- They were grand- I’m sure going to be on the lookout for the next box from Rich’s- for I know it will be good- We have plenty of cheese but it’s all Australian. Goodnight my darling, sweet dreams, and remember I’m always thinking of you and forever and always I’m your- Charles My grandfather- the poet. I had no idea. I knew he adored my grandmother, but this? This is good stuff. Bob could learn a thing or two from him. We all could. We could learn to write a letter because we don’t need a world war as inspiration. Covid is enough for me. You think you have plenty of time with the people you love. You might have it all figured out. I do not. I am reminded once again to make my list of things I am grateful for today and to tell the ones I love how much they mean to me. I’m inspired to… make the phone call I’ve put off. send a quick text I’ve meaning to send. write a real card and actually mail it. say yes to the fishing trip, shopping trip, or evening out with a friend. I asked Bob to write me a letter like the one Charles sent JoAnne. He reminded me ever so gently that my grandmother was also an excellent cook. Good point, Bob. Our conversation ended right there. Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
4 Comments
Brenda Lockerman
1/16/2021 12:44:33 pm
JoAnna, I so enjoyed reading this little insight into my sixth and seventh grade science teacher's life. I am enjoying your blogs. You are a really good writer with great perspective. Looking forward to blogs to come.
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Debbie
1/16/2021 06:50:25 pm
Such a beautiful story. I hope my grands know I love them with the same love you received from your beautiful grandparents! Thank you for sharing this love, especially at this time
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Beth Carroll
1/17/2021 06:38:12 am
Beautiful story. We all have much we could learn from our parents, grandparents, family members. We should always treasure our loved ones, and we should tell them often. I loved your grandparents. Miss JoAnne played the organ at our wedding, accompanied at the piano by Marcia Helen. They made a beautiful team.
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Dinah
1/23/2021 06:39:05 am
Such a beautiful story. Mom would be so proud of your stories.
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JoAnna Arnold
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