Saturday, March 13, 2010

my lady liberty


In my early childhood, I spent many idyllic days with my paternal
grandmother. The things that inspire me most, I can trace back to
this dear woman. For instance, my uncles tell me that I've inherited
her ability to artistically arrange things, like tablescapes. I have to
be careful not to turn every surface in the manor into some sort of
dramatic scene. I have fond memories of tagging along with her, to
an empty church on a Saturday afternoon, and watching her arrange
a beautiful altarscape. She used fresh flower cuttings from her
garden, rich fabrics, and an assortment of odd antiques for her
unique creations.
.
Speaking of flowers, I've also inherited her green thumb. Grandma
adored plants of all kinds. Local people would drive around her
corner lot, in the rural Indiana village of Burlington, extra slowly, just
to admire her glorious flowers, little fish pond, and fountain. One of
my favorite memories is helping her gather dandelion greens along
cornfield lined country roads. She taught me how to do essential life
tasks, like how to bait a fishhook with a nightcrawler at Wildcat
Creek.
Lazy afternoons, I sat by her side, as she peeled mountains of apples
for homemade pies. She wouldn't make just one. Her kitchen became
a pie factory, baking six or eight at a time. The charming fern pattern,
I watched her make in the crusts, with the tip of a teaspoon, I still use
to decorate my pies today. While the pies were cooling, I would
snuggle on her lap and listen to generous portions of the delightful
Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley.
.
Even though she could play the piano beautifully, she rarely did, but
insisted her children, my aunt and uncles, practice daily, with much
chiding and an occasional slap with the fly swatter. All the classics,
along with Chopsticks, of course, were indelibly embedded in my
little head. A daily dose of classical music is a must for me, to
chase the cobwebs away, and feel a sense of balance.
.
A year or two ago, I was randomly obsessed with Boris Pasternak
and all things Russian. I reread Doctor Zhivago, and bought both the
Lean, 1969 version and the HBO, 2002 series. When I mentioned
this to my uncle, he said it happened to be Grandma's favorite
movie, that she was crazy about Lara's Theme, and even had a little
music box that played the song. "Oh, I didn't know." I said, DNA
tingling. She would get such a kick out of my Zhivago hat. I can see
her smiling, and trying it on for size.
.
So, what, you're wondering, does the Statue of Liberty have to do
with this post? For me, Grandma's striking features favored those of
Lady Liberty's, and the souvenir statue she kept on her roll top desk.
Sadly, she died three days after her 56th birthday, when I was just
13. I regret she never knew the woman I grew to become, and was
not around to enjoy my lovely family. She will, however, always be
my Lady Liberty, lifting her symbolic ancestral lamp, giving me the
freedom and insight to embrace all she inspired in me.


This is a Sepia Saturday post.

53 comments:

  1. There is an indomitable quality to her features -- much like Lady Liberty!

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  2. aren't we lucky to have people in our lives that made such a difference? Nice memories. Made me think of some very important women in my life. Thanks.

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  3. Today's post is so very touching. Your grandmother sounds like a person who really lived and loved to the fullest. How wonderful that you have such special memories of her.

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  4. Truly a beautiful word-portrait. I love to hear your remembrances.

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  5. Tnank-you for letting us spend time with your dear Grandma. If the Statue of Liberty has a name besides 'Lady Liberty' than it should be Willow's Grandma! Sweet Grandma of Liberty! Putting a face on democracy...I LOVE this (along with Grandma's apple pies!)

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  6. "essential life tasks, like how to bait a fishhook with a nightcrawler at Wildcat Creek." And baking pies and play piano. That's a cool grandmother. She is someone I would have loved to know too. No wonder it matters to you to keep the connection and the memories alive.

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  7. What a lady, and what treasured memories. I love that you still have the teaspoon she used.
    Fantastic post Willow!

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  8. What a lovely tribute to a wonderful grandmother. Your powerful memories of her made me wish I had known my grandmothers. And I loved the photos of her. There's lots of character in that face.

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  9. Looks as though that 'deep' DNA is evident yet again, Willow.

    Your grandmother has given you a lot to remember with great affection.

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  10. Martin, I've got "deep DNA" at the top of my list to investigate. Thanks for the reminder. I'm sure you'll be seeing a blog post on it soon!

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  11. A lovely, stong and beautiful lady..worthy of being a symbol..you are lucky to have her!
    Setting things in your environment to perfection? I too have to be careful not to live in a tableau!

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  12. It's those poor people who have no such memories that we should pity. Your memories, Willow, SHOULD be the norm; sadly the opposite is the case. You're a lucky gal!

    Bisou, Cro.

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  13. I remember the switch bush at the back door too. We all cherished the moment you came in the back door... we did have fun. Nice tribute to my mom, Willow. You were very very special to her! Let's go play dress up, ok? Have a great SS... St. Pat is just around the corner! :) The Bach

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  14. We are so lucky! enjoyed reading about YOUR grandma.

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  15. God, I love your trips down memory lane. What a treasure trove you have. Your children and grands will be rewarded with your tales and your strands of family lore.

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  16. You are so right about the resemlance. Lovely tribute. So sad her life was cut short. Isn't genetics a wonderful thing?

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  17. I can feel how much she was & still is loved by all. She sounds like an amazing woman. I wish I could have met her, but do talk to her on occasion and we visit her at the quaint little cemetery. She seems to have such a free spirit from her photos, so I know she is still around you all.
    BTW, Bach makes the fern design on his yummy pies, too. A great tribute to her lasting impression.

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  18. What a lovely tribute to your grandmother. She sounds incredible. It's interesting to look back and see how we are shaped by the people in our lives, isn't it? She is quite the striking woman.

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  19. She does have "Liberty" features...strong yet pretty. You had a wonderful grandmother and at those perfect forming years...must be nice to carry on her attributes and interests!

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  20. Wonderful post!
    How nice it is to have such good memories about your grandma - your Lady Liberty!!!
    Have a great Sunday,
    Virginia

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  21. Such wonderful memories. I only hope my grandchildren might remember me half as fondly someday!

    I'm wondering what that tag is on your grandmother's coat?

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  22. A beautiful story Willow, well told. A shame she passed away so young. I'm sure she would have been proud of you.

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  23. Willow whar a tribute to your Grandmother. I never had that closeness with a grandchild. It must be wonderful .I was very close with my Grandmother.
    Beautiful Post and Handsome family.

    yvonne

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  24. Hilary, I also wonder what that tag is, on her coat. My guess is that it's some kind of admission tag or ticket.

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  25. Dear Willow, What a delightful and atmospheric recall of your childhood which you describe so beautifully and illustrate so evocatively and in which your grandmother becomes a very real person - which, of course, she was.

    It is very strange how, with the passing of time, one comes in so many ways to resemble one's parents and grandparents.

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  26. I do see the resemblance! She has such an interesting face. And she looks quite formidable. It's a lovely thing that she imparted so much goodness to you!

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  27. I find this fascinating, Willow. To have had a relationship with a grandmother like this is a gift. I never was close with either of mine. They weren't kind at all.
    I think your grandmother does resemble Lady Liberty.

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  28. i can totally see that resemblance willow...and taught you how to bait a hook...thats priceless...

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  29. Awww...I love this post. I wish she hadn't left us at such a young age!

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  30. I thought about my Mum all through that; lovely, thank you. Also love Kate singing the 'lil Irish song'...

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  32. a wonderful memory and tribute, Willow. Nice photos too.

    Grandpa was loved and respected, of course, but grandma was the one that made the pies.

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  33. Loved your story and thanks for your comments on my post. I just found out today you and Betsy are sisters. My precious sister who died so young and I talk about all the time, was named Betty. I have had so much fun with my grands. We have made YaYa hats together, gone fishing, water skiing, and almost anything you can think of. I always took bookoos of pictures and make sure they all have them. I am on my kids all the time to keep pictures around of their grandparents with them. I have done the DNA thingie with my husbands DNA but didn't find out anything I didn't know.
    QMM

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  34. A lovely tribute to your Grandmother, I enjoyed reading about your recollections of an early life spent with a fine woman who helped shape your life,
    The picture of your grandmother with the bird is an award winning photo.

    Joanny

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  35. i can see the resemblance. i have the same kind of fond memories of my grandmas and know that they would be proud of me and my family. thanks for the reminder to be grateful for what they gave me.

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  36. A wonderful story. I would really love to see her altarscapes.

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  37. Your grandmother sounds so wonderful. As I was reading about her, I imagined her living to a very old age, especially since she had such a look of strength about her. So, I was surprised and saddened when you said she had died at age 56 - so young. It sounds like you made the best of those years though and she seems to be living on in you, which is a beautiful thing.

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  38. A lovely tribute to your grandmother Willow. My two grandmothers were as different as chalk and cheese. From one I remember with fondness the smell of woodsmoke, the gathering of firewood and tea made from rainwater,the thick quiet ticking of an old mantle clock,the company of animals...the other a wicked Irish humour and gentle ways, a sense of the ridiculous. They were both important to me, and I feel so sad for those who have not been blessed with the company of such influential women who offer so much.Grandmas who love and share, make such a difference to our lives.

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  39. I expect somehow she knows all about the person you've become Willow. A beautiful tribute.

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  40. so young, such beautiful memories...you are very lucky.

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  41. A feminine beauty of strength and heart...and you have brought her to life here! I really have enjoyed this! ... Just another example of your talent for arranging images and ideas!

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  42. Willow, this was such a lovely post. It really resonated with me because of the close relationship I had with my maternal grandmother.
    I also inherited her Green thumb and think of her every spring when I putter about in the garden. Her roses live on in there, as do her mothers. She's also the reason I have such deep blue Nikko Hydrangas-coffee grounds in the soil works everytime for me:)..

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  43. Lovely tribute to your grandmother. My heart softened to read this, and saddened to discover she died in her 50's (so young!!).

    My gram passed away nearly 2 months ago now. And I find myself returning to her again and again in my writing and my thoughts. She has never left me, but continues at my side.

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  44. A very special post, Willow. I don't know if the Manor really exists in bricks and mortar, but the Manor of these pages is a treasure-house of warmth and love.

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  45. Terresa, I feel exactly the same. My grandma has never left my side, either.

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  46. DWC, thank you for your kinds words. Yes, Willow Manor really does exist, a dear old ramshackle place of limestone and mortar.

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  47. Your family is so interesting and you truly bring them to life with these posts and wonderful photographs. Thank you.

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  48. Such wonderful memories. I never knew my grandparents but have inherited some things passed down from them and have heard stories about them that I cherish.

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  49. I have a strong feeeling that you will have a very similar relationship with your future grandchildren Willow. And that will be the greatest legacy of all.
    Millie ^_^

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  50. what great memories you have of her. and the photos are wonderful - I like the last especially, what a great smile

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  51. Fabulous post, willow.
    I see the Lady Liberty similarity so clearly - she looks like the stongest of women!
    So sorry that you lost her early.

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  52. You are lucky to have such a wonderful grandma and such lovely memories.

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  53. Sorry I am late getting around to visiting your Sepia Saturday post, But what a wonderful tribute I find - your writing makes your very personal memories of the lady accessible to us all.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)