Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Memories of Grandma
I've had a hard time sitting down to write down all my memories of Grandma. There are just too many to name. I had twenty-eight wonderful years with her as my beloved grandmother. It's hard to condense that down. So instead, I'm just going to share a few of my favorites.
When my parents celebrated their 20th anniversary, Grandma drove down in the station wagon to take care of Sean and me for the week. The first night she had us, she took us to the McDonald's drive-thru. As we ate dinner in our kitchen she said "Enjoy this, cause this is the last night you will get it this week." Additionally, every morning before school she would make us make our beds. We weren't used to that but not wanting to argue with her, we just did it. Several years later (and I mean several) it came up in a dinner conversation with my parents. As it turns out, she only made us make our beds because she thought our mother made us make them. She said "I don't care if your beds are made!" My mom laughed, neither did she! We all had a good laugh about it.
Once, when we were little, Sean swallowed some gum in her presence. She quickly warned him that it was dangerous and explained that when her brother was young and had his appendix removed, doctors found it filled with gum. My mom said she doubted it was true but Grandma was adamant. I don't think Sean swallowed gum again for a year. Or two.
As many people remember, the cousins used to like to sleep in the camper when it was parked at Meadow Rock Farm. One year, the boys went first and had a raucous time. The following night it was the girls' turn. Margaret, Annie, and I gathered our stuff and prepared to head outside. Grandma passed me standing by the door with my pillow and blanket and offhandedly said, "Oh, you're sleeping in the camper tonight. Have fun! I don't think the coyotes will come too close to the house tonight." We didn't last more than an hour before running inside because "we saw something." I doubt she ever intended to scare us but looking back I find it hysterical that she said it.
When I was in the hospital four years ago for my surgery, Grandma was adamant about coming to visit me. Aunt Mary kindly drove her over to the hospital to see me late one night. My room was already filled with flowers so Grandma brought me a plastic windmill toy. She thought it would be more entertaining for me. As it turns out, post-surgery they had to test my breathing regularly. My surgeon commented it was perfect for me! I brought it to work with me once I was released to play with while I worked. After I left that job, I transferred it to my apartment. It remains on my desk where I see it every morning while I get ready.
In the years after she moved to New Jersey I often visited her when I was home for a weekend. Sometimes it was to bring her something, sometimes it was to keep her company, sometimes it was just because. We talked about everything, politics, women's rights issues, Pop, her childhood, the family, the extended family, anything and everything. I learned so much from her over those talks and gained a whole new appreciation for her and how she influenced me in my life. I am so much more like her than I thought. I will cherish those times for the rest of my life. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
When my parents celebrated their 20th anniversary, Grandma drove down in the station wagon to take care of Sean and me for the week. The first night she had us, she took us to the McDonald's drive-thru. As we ate dinner in our kitchen she said "Enjoy this, cause this is the last night you will get it this week." Additionally, every morning before school she would make us make our beds. We weren't used to that but not wanting to argue with her, we just did it. Several years later (and I mean several) it came up in a dinner conversation with my parents. As it turns out, she only made us make our beds because she thought our mother made us make them. She said "I don't care if your beds are made!" My mom laughed, neither did she! We all had a good laugh about it.
Once, when we were little, Sean swallowed some gum in her presence. She quickly warned him that it was dangerous and explained that when her brother was young and had his appendix removed, doctors found it filled with gum. My mom said she doubted it was true but Grandma was adamant. I don't think Sean swallowed gum again for a year. Or two.
As many people remember, the cousins used to like to sleep in the camper when it was parked at Meadow Rock Farm. One year, the boys went first and had a raucous time. The following night it was the girls' turn. Margaret, Annie, and I gathered our stuff and prepared to head outside. Grandma passed me standing by the door with my pillow and blanket and offhandedly said, "Oh, you're sleeping in the camper tonight. Have fun! I don't think the coyotes will come too close to the house tonight." We didn't last more than an hour before running inside because "we saw something." I doubt she ever intended to scare us but looking back I find it hysterical that she said it.
When I was in the hospital four years ago for my surgery, Grandma was adamant about coming to visit me. Aunt Mary kindly drove her over to the hospital to see me late one night. My room was already filled with flowers so Grandma brought me a plastic windmill toy. She thought it would be more entertaining for me. As it turns out, post-surgery they had to test my breathing regularly. My surgeon commented it was perfect for me! I brought it to work with me once I was released to play with while I worked. After I left that job, I transferred it to my apartment. It remains on my desk where I see it every morning while I get ready.
In the years after she moved to New Jersey I often visited her when I was home for a weekend. Sometimes it was to bring her something, sometimes it was to keep her company, sometimes it was just because. We talked about everything, politics, women's rights issues, Pop, her childhood, the family, the extended family, anything and everything. I learned so much from her over those talks and gained a whole new appreciation for her and how she influenced me in my life. I am so much more like her than I thought. I will cherish those times for the rest of my life. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Grandma
Sorry for the double posting, but I wanted to make sure this message stood on its own:
Honestly it is still a little surreal for me being so far away, but Jen and I have both been very affected by the news. We wish to pass along our deepest sympathies, condolences, and love to the entire family. While it is an absolute blessing that Grandma had her family was with her in her final days, we can’t help but still feel the sadness and pain that comes along with such an event.
Ultimately I will carry fond and happy memories of a woman who was responsible for so many wonderful people and things in this world. She left a wonderful legacy as (in her words) “the matriarch of a grand clan”. And I, for one, am proud and honored to be included in that group. But it’s still very raw, and the sadness has not yet completely given way to the happy memories.
It is my belief that we as individuals are the sum of our experiences – the places we’ve been, the people we’ve known, the things we’ve seen, etc. Part of that means that we carry with us pieces of those we have known and loved, some pieces bigger than others – especially family. In my eyes, her legacy lives on in each of us reading this post.
I see her in each of her sons and in each of her grandchildren. Her poise and grace. Her sense of humor and her wit. Her resolution and tenacity. I will remember her laugh and her smile. Her devotion to Pop and to her family. But mostly, I will remember how she always treated me as blood, as a Dickson.
I never felt second class or “step”; I always felt part of the grand clan. I don’t believe that I was ever able to articulate how much that meant to me, and I’m not sure that I ever could. But that is her legacy to me – the Dickson family, whom I love and cherish, and with whom I have SO many fond memories: from Door County to Pomfret, from Rhode Island to the wedding. Jen and I were so touched that Grandma and the entire family came to Chicago for our wedding, and Grandma led that charge to the Midwest. I will always remember and deeply appreciate that.
I look forward to this summer with bittersweet emotions. It will be great to see everyone, I just wish it was under different circumstances.
LOVE
Jones Family Weekly Letter Update
Winter has finally arrived in McHenry. The first legitimate snow has come (3-6 inches), and right when it was about to disappear another few inches may be on the way. It’s been unseasonably warm at times, with no real snow (until now) and very few super cold spells. Overall, a VERY tolerable winter thus far – we hope it stays that way!!
Jen had a birthday recently (1/10) and was treated to dinner one night, followed a few days later by lunch, shopping, and a massage. It was a long-overdue day of pampering for her, but we may have set a dangerous precedent and started a new wonderful tradition for Jen. She deserves it.
The holidays treated us very well. Spent Eve in Dundee with the extended family, and Christmas day with Jen’s family. Though Miles was showered with gifts, he could not have been more interested in the paper the gifts were wrapped in. Apparently Christmas paper is delicious. I had 11 days off starting the 23rd, and was able to spend some extra time with both sides of the family. It was really nice to relax and enjoy the company of those I love the most, whom I don’t get to see as often as I would like. For that I am truly grateful. Spent NYE with good friends, had an expensive meal, and burned the post-midnight oil. Now, we are firmly back in reality of work, etc. It was nice while it lasted.
Miles is amazing. He’s seems to constantly be growing, tipping the scales at 17 lbs 7 oz and “standing” at 27.5 inches – he’s 6.5 months old. He’s been babbling more and more, though he’s not yet articulating “mama” or “dada” – but he is very close. He sits like a champ, eats solid foods (he went ape for bananas), and moves closer and closer to locomotion each day (both exciting and scary for me). Jen’s Mom (Karen) posts new pictures on Facebook nearly every week and always tags Jen and I, so if we are friends you can see the updates. We are so blessed to have such a healthy, smiley, happy baby. He is very loved.
Otherwise, waiting for the seasons to change so we can get the boat back in the water, trying to catch a good movie when we can, and making sure the dog doesn’t feel neglected with Miles around. As you can tell we are very exciting people nowadays, although I have 2 concerts to attend this weekend. I still got it!!
We send our love.
Bill, Jen, Miles, and Cassidy
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Mom, Grandma, Georganna
When Grandma was sick and looking really bad, I kept reverting to a favorite, lasting memory and mental image: lying on her bed, surrounded by sister and brothers listening to her read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Magical. There's a similar picture in her 25th wedding anniversary collage, on Christmas, surrounded by her children, in pajamas, happy, fresh and eagerly anticipating the day ahead, too young to think of the years ahead.
There was the 50th anniversary quilt, above her bed; and her wedding picture on her dresser, along with a photo of Miles all of which we studied and analyzed and sent us off on mental tours as we sat with Grandma in her final hours, remembering happier times.
Once when she was asked what she did during her life, she said she raised five children. She did much more - vestry, volunteer, entrepreneur, activist, alumna - but that was all she said. This summer, at our get-together, she said more than once, "I can't believe they are all mine, that I am the matriarch of such a grand clan."
Right now, as I write, I am looking at a photo of that clan, at Mountain Springs. It's funny how it's all the mothers, including Grandma, that have the biggest smiles. What do they know that the guys, and the kids don't?
We wanted to wait for a memorial service so that as many of the grandchildren as possible could be there, to have enough advance planning. It will mean so much to her that we can all be together again.
We all have our special memories, and mental images. I hope you will write and share yours.
Love
There was the 50th anniversary quilt, above her bed; and her wedding picture on her dresser, along with a photo of Miles all of which we studied and analyzed and sent us off on mental tours as we sat with Grandma in her final hours, remembering happier times.
Once when she was asked what she did during her life, she said she raised five children. She did much more - vestry, volunteer, entrepreneur, activist, alumna - but that was all she said. This summer, at our get-together, she said more than once, "I can't believe they are all mine, that I am the matriarch of such a grand clan."
Right now, as I write, I am looking at a photo of that clan, at Mountain Springs. It's funny how it's all the mothers, including Grandma, that have the biggest smiles. What do they know that the guys, and the kids don't?
We wanted to wait for a memorial service so that as many of the grandchildren as possible could be there, to have enough advance planning. It will mean so much to her that we can all be together again.
We all have our special memories, and mental images. I hope you will write and share yours.
Love
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy 2012
Sitting in Grandma's room, listening to a tv blathering on about Iowa and looking at cards from many folks and spirits rise when the photo of Miles comes into focus.
We rang in the New year with the Newfoundlanders, meaning at 11pm. We were with friends Cliff and Sheila and had spent the day cutting down trees and attending a fiddle concert.
We heard Janet welcomed the New Year with a bout of food poisoning. David and Paula were here in Meadow Lakes.
We certainly enjoyed our first Christmas in a clean and comfortable and warm house in Pittsfield. We saw John and Marilyn a couple of times and they had a houseful for the holiday. Dan and Kathleen came up one day and we went to Mass Moca (museum of modern art).
Mary is back at work today. And now Annie is back in China after a packed 9 days home; Margaret had to get back to DC the day after Christmas and we celebrated Joe's birthday a couple of days early because he also had some meetings down in DC.
We hear reports of everyone else but I'm a little reluctant to spread wild gossip and rumors. That was my resolution.
Here's a suggested resolution for anyone who needs one. Update Pops Weekly Letter with your news; just send an email to popsweeklyletter.dicksons@blogger.com.
Love from Grandma's room!
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