Yesterday as I was walking into Kroger, there was an elderly lady outside looking at the plants on the sidewalk. She had just gotten off the little van that serves as “mass transit” in our town. She was all dressed up in nice pants and a sweater set. Her white hair was fixed perfectly. She had taken time to put on her makeup. She had gotten all fixed up for a trip to the grocery store! As I walked past her, she said something to me about the flowers being pretty. Her voice was so frail that I hardly hear what she said. As I made my way past her, memories of my grandma came to mind.
My grandma was always wearing a dress. Her hair was always fixed just right .. and it usually involved at least a few bobbie pins. She always had on an apron when working around the house. They didn’t have phones so if someone wanted to come visit, they didn’t call first . . they just dropped in. I can see my grandma now . . she would hear someone drive up and she yanked that apron off, patted her hair to make sure every sprig was in place. There was always a homemade cake or pie, usually half of each, in the corner dining room cabinet. Anyone that stopped by was offered a piece of pie or cake.
My grandparents lived out in the country and they would go to town once a week and she always got dressed up to go to town. My grandma never had much .. she had what she needed but not much more. Her clothes were almost all homemade. I don’t remember her ever having a storebought dress but she might have. She loved flowers and they always had gorgeous flowers and blooming plants in their yard. I don’t remember the Piggly Wiggly in Many, Louisiana having flowers back then but maybe they did and if they did, my grandma would have wanted to stop and look at them, but I think all her plants came from cuttings or seeds given to her by friends.
As I was leaving the store, the little van was back and I saw the lady sitting inside, and I saw a pretty hanging basket sitting near the open van door. The lady waved at me as I passed. I smiled . . thinking . . she had no idea the memories that had flooded over me . . just seeing her, all dressed up, looking at those flowers.
As I was driving home, I wondered . . what will my grandkids remember about me. Darn . . a trip to Kroger had me wanting to go back to Missouri!
Donna Williams says
Wow. Just wow. I was taken back in time as I read this – my daddy and stepmother lived in Many, LA. I have been to that Piggly Wiggly at least a thousand times, and I don’t remember them having plants either. I spent the summers with them as a child/teen, and then when I went to school at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches I would go visit them sometimes. And of course we always had to go to the Piggly Wiggly. 🙂 Thanks for helping me remember those times, they were some of the very best of my life.
Diana from SC says
Red geriniums in hanging baskets….this is the plants that
Grandma always. had. So each year I make sure Mom has some for her front porch in memory of her mother. Of course, Grandma always enjoyed working with her flowers and garden. So I think of her when I am outside working with my flowers and garden. This spring I had the help of my grandsom doing the hanging baskets and then pulling them up to GG’s house in the wagon….he is three. His Mom says he talks about the plants for GG. Four generations together when they are home.
Ranch Wife says
WAH! That made me cry – what a precious memory. As much ‘progress’ as we’ve made, I just can’t help but think that we’ve lost something along the way.
Alison says
How lovely and dignified that lady seemed. I always think it is sad to see elderly ladies in baggy tracksuits. It doesn’t take much to smarten up, and one thing they have plenty of is time.
The name Piggly Wiggly always makes me giggle – it is so unusual. Here in NZ our supermarkets are called Countdown, New World, Foodtown and Pak N Save. I suppose they sound funny to others.
Karen says
precious memories – I too see some elderly women “go to town” all decked out – nice hair, nice outfit – you would think they had a date – and then on the other hand I go shopping and see people walk into the store in what looks like their pajamas and slippers – or very revealing clothes that have no place at the grocery store – I much rather admire the little old ladies all dressed up 🙂
AmyM says
lovely story…. and I bet she would have been pleased to bring you those memories.
Sara Schmidt says
So I am hoping that a part that you left out is that you had a lovely conversation with her about plants. At least for a minute or two. (From reading your blog for a few years, I know that you are like me and have lots of conversations with strangers. 🙂 ) I know that if you did, you made her day too. Sometimes people will just talk to us to be able to communicate with another human as they have very little daily interaction. I am glad that she brought you such good memories, and that you have those to hold on to.
My Grandmother, too, always dressed up to go to the store. She had her house dresses, and those for going out. Not Sunday best, but maybe “retired” ones. When we made our ladies day trip to the “big city” of Chattanooga, TN, my Grandmother would wear her hat and gloves. I always thought that she was a “very proper Lady”. Until recently, when my Uncle told me that in her younger days, she was (bold type) FLAPPER! You have to be kidding me! I just love that!!!!
Diana says
Oh my goodness .. so reminds me of my grandmother and her roses. That woman could could make a stick bloom ! I swear she had the greenest thumb I ever knew a person could have. Thanks for the memories (my grands will hopefully remember me as the fun grandma!)
Jennifer Collard says
Oh Miss Judy, that was so sweet—it just made me happy all over. Thank you for the love. I would have bought that little gal a bouquet to remember me by. Happy tears here. Jennifer
NancyB from Many LA says
Many is growing – we’re getting a Tractor Supply Store! LOL!
Eileen says
Sweet story! You will be remembered as the sweet and smart Grandma that could do absolutely anything and everything!! And fun!!