I don't know about you but I cherish stories about my relatives, especially my grandmothers.
You see, Mae is my middle name, it's something I share with both grandmothers. My bestfriend uses my middle name to speak to me. This name reminds me of three women very dear to me.
My paternal grandmother died when I was seven. I am her youngest grandchild and I happen to know she was enthralled by me. I was her little dolly; I was a precious tiny little girl with the most delicate of features, it's true.
I didn't know her well, losing her at such a young age. This is why whenever my tendencies or interests are highlighted by either of my parents as "just like your grandma" my heart smiles.
Those we love live on not only in our hearts but also in our lives.
I'm always told I'm like her in my body shape and my love of flashy tacky things. But it was just today, during a phone call with my parents when I shared recent stories that I was rewarded with this comparrison in a new way.
Recently I purchased a "slouchy" bag which I can fit absolutely anything into, which pleases me because I like to bring my entire life with me, a whole bunch of strange and unrelated items. I returned from a two day trip and pulled out an umbrella, a pasta dinner, unlimited bread, 4 pairs of sunglasses and two fortune cookies among other things.
Also, my roomate and I decided on a whim to purchase and apply fake nails. Let me tell you, I never realized how often I use my nails until I stuck plastic pieces on top of them. Fake nails remind me of high heels, they certainly enhance your appearance but they also make life a little more difficult. It's one of those tradeoffs as a woman we must decide which side outweighs the other.
It was the packrat purse and plastic peices on my nails that led my mother to verbally smile as she said, "you're just like your grandma" and rewarded me with entertaining stories of that wonderful woman.
Hearing these stories I can't help but think of my unborn children as they one day tell their children about me. I hope they'll say, "you're just like her".
