Grandma Scott

Jim's grandmother is 97 years old.  Her mind is keen, her fingers are fast, and she's constantly shaking a leg or two for exercise.  And her pace quickened this week when she stayed at our house of two noisy boys for a few days.  I was so grateful to capture these pictures of her with them.  Aidan was very interested in her constant crocheting, eager to untangle, and anxious to discover the *how* of it all.  This is one of the blankets we have that she made.

 

   

 

Grandma knows kids.  She half-raised her own siblings, had nine of her own and took in a few stragglers along the way.  I realized this fully when I sometimes worried about the energy level of these two (particularly when A opted to use her walking stick as his laser gun), and she shoo'd away any nervous efforts on my part.  "They're kids."  Yet, she was quick to tell Aidan to "stop being a baby" on an excruciatingly whiny afternoon.  I liked the reinforcements.  He is spoiled with five wonderful grandmas, but I think this is the only one who has ever offered such a chide.

 

 

Davyn was a chatterbox with Grandma.  The two of them carried on many a secret conversation.  One babbled semi-coherently with earnest eyes, the other listened, paused & prodded as though each word made perfect sense.  Perhaps it did.  To him it did.  He knew she understood and shared his kisses freely.

 

I learned that she met her husband at an Easter Egg hunt.  She married him at 15.  She worked at a cafe for a long time, and people came from all over for her famous pies.  I learned more about Scott stoicism...very foreign to a more free-spirited me.  At one point we were talking about a granddaughter whose mother left her at age 2.  I said that must have been very hard to understand as she grew up.  "Well, that's not something you can think about.  There just ain't nothing you can do about it."   Oh, to be able to face the Winds with such grounded common sense.  Jim calls it "cowboy" and claims I have little.  I agree.  But I respect this woman who has weathered many winds without complaint.  Pushing emotion down, accepting, plodding, moving on - I see snippets of both good and bad in it for me.  While I know I need more "get busy and do the work at hand", I think I'd wither without the space to move through full spectrums of emotion...or perhaps I'd just be toughened.  We all need a little cowboy, after all. 

 

Comments

[Megan]

I love the idea of having a little cowboy in you; I think sometimes that's what you had to do to survive back then. And it cracked me up that she told A to stop being a baby, someone needs to come over and tell my boys the same, it doesn't seem to have much effect coming out of my mouth. And holy crap, can you imagine being married at fifteen? Totally different world, we must come across as spoiled whiners to women like this. I love it!

[Mandy]

She sounds like an amazing woman! What a wonderful experience for you and your kids.

[jenny c.]

She does sound like a amazing woman. How fun to sit and chat with her. She sounds sharp as a tact. I am laughing about the boys using her stick as a toy. Sounds like my boys. What a beautiful crocheted blanket!

[Jordan]

As of last April the last of the "greats" for my children died. There is something to be said for the sort of wisdom and practicality that comes with that sort of of age! Please frame the picture of the three of them bench-sitting. It is wonderful. I believe I'm more on the "you" side of "cowboy", could definitely use a few of Grandma Scott's chides.

[Kelly]

Oh, these pictures are treasures, Amy! I love them. I especially love the one where she's sitting on the bench with both boys. The boys are lucky to have 5 grandmas in their lives -- seriously, that is amazing.

I don't have very much cowboy in me either. It's astounding to think of how different the worlds are between now and when Grandma Scott was 32!

[sista #2]

Her look is 'classic' in this shot! What a gal! The boys look like they are thoroughly enjoing themselves -cute -ciao

[crystalyn]

what a great time to have to always cherish. the photos are priceless. there really is something about that wisdom that comes from maturing in a different time and practically a different world. i know i certainly don't have that much cowboy in me. i don't know that i'd change it, however, i do find it admirable.

[Shanon]

Those are cute pictures that you have! I'm glad you got to visit with her and get to know her. I never knew that she got married at 15! Wow!

[Elizabeth]

My kids have never known a great grandparent either have I for that matter. That is so wonderful that you could all have the experience of having her in your home.

[Barb]

It is so great that Grandma Scott came to stay with you! My great grandmother stayed with me a few times, and those visits are important, happy childhood memories for me. I grew up in a 'cowboy' family, I'd say. There is good and bad to it. I love the phrase.

[Michelle]

How adorable!!! Is this Mike's mother? I am thinking there is a huge resembelance. How fun to have been able to have her stay with you. I would love some "cowboy" in my life.

[rebecca]

I totally need some more cowboy. A mix of weathering seems perfect to me - sway a bit with the wind, but to "stop being a baby" about it, too. How lucky for you to have her, and to have her handiwork to always have around as a reminder. Of the good ole days.

[Amy]

Yes, Michelle, that is Mike's mom. The resemblance is Huge (I think)! And I think my Aidan is a mini-Scott as well.

[lelly]

fabulous post. i love that jack is getting to know my grandparents, too.

[Amberly]

Great grandparents are so full of wisdom, it is such a blessing to have a little seep out while you're with her. It's wonderful you had this time for her to get to know your boys.