I Love You Too, Grandma
September 28, 2005
It’s funny how stacks of old paper act like time capsules. They trap pieces of paper you never thought you’d treasure until you find them years later. I found just such a piece of paper the other day: a letter from my Grandma Bert, who died my senior year of high school.
The letter was folded up, still in its original envelope, in my cedar stationary box between a couple of postcards from France and a reciept from The Gap. She wrote it on September 13, 2000 - less than a year before she died - on her Humane Society stationary. She wanted to thank me for a little stone gargoyle I’d brought back from Paris for her. She included an article about Ed McMahon’s www.nextbigstar.com. She thought I should audition. She wanted me to be a star.
The paper is smudged in places with what looks like her Estee Lauder lipstick. I think she must have smeared some on her fingers when she brought them to her mouth. I’m not sure why, but she rubbed her mouth a lot. Maybe it was her dentures that bothered her. Maybe it was a lifelong mannerism. I don’t know.
Here’s the letter in its entirity. I’ve included all the spellings as they were in the letter. Grandma never would have admitted it, but she didn’t graduate high school. Mispellings notwithstanding, I think it deserves to be preserved forever in the blogosphere. She was an amazing woman. I miss her.
——
My Dear Teresa,
Thank you for that ugly, ugly devil. he is so ugly that he’s cute. I have him sitting on the end of my kitchen counter, so I can see him most of the time. Thanks for thinking of me.
If I had known that your Mom & Peter didn’t leave Ocean Shores until 7:30-P.M. I would have insisted some one bring you over to see & ride my scooter (maybe next time).
All is well here, Deb & Al went to Olympia today. They wanted me to go along, but I just did not feel like it - I get ever so tired when I have a full day going on place to a nother, wear’s me out.
Did your mom ever give you the knee high’s I gave her for you? Can you wear them?
It sure is hot outside today (over) I just cannot take the steam like I used to.
Inclused is the paper I was telling you about. I just figgured you would like to see it. I think you are a star, no matter what anyone else things, all tho you do come up with some crazy stupid ideas in your head at times.
It is getting close to 5-P.M. and I have to watch - “Judge Judy” I get a kick out of her. I wouldn’t want her against me in a trial suit.
Take care, God bless-
Love you
Grandma
Thanks so much for sharing Teresa.
The letter reminds me of so many things that I loved about Grandma. For one, she was honest - the devil was so ugly, he was cute;
you get crazy, stupid ideas in your head at times.
The letter also brought back to me Grandm’s generosity: thinking to give your mom those knee highs cuz she thought you could use them. She also always believed that you were star material. (A sentiment that I totally agree with, but unfortunately with talent comes also a shit load of luck and connections in order to make it big).
The thing that I miss most about Grandma is her great common sense in most things and how much I valued bouncing ideas and opinions off of her.
I miss a whole lot of other things about Grandma and I dream about her all of the time. Thankfully 99% of the dreams are good ones.
Love you!
Aunt Deb