By the time I knew her, she was no longer a young woman but she had the skin of a porcelain doll.
Her eyes were the most expressive I’ve ever seen. She could actually smile with those eyes!
Her name was Elizabeth and I was her granddaughter.
She taught me to sew, and to know my way around the kitchen. She told mesmerizing stories and loved to entertain my siblings and me with silly songs she made up on the spot.
Whenever I reach for lipstick – I think of her and grin. You see, she had a very specific method of putting it on, which was endearing and comical – all at the same time. She would painstakingly apply a bright rose shade to her lips, taking great care to have it perfectly even. Then, just at the moment I’d be sighing in admiration of her talent, she’d grab a Kleenex and blot her lips, not just a little, but so briskly that when she was finished – you could hardly tell she was wearing lipstick at all!
I was lucky enough to have her in my life until I was in my twenties. She’s been gone for decades now, but it doesn’t seem that long. To this day, I miss her – but the memories are sweet and vivid still . . .
You might also enjoy my previous St. Patrick’s Day posts:
Her Irish Eyes Were Smiling (with Irish Bread Recipe)
Hugs,
I can tell your grandmother was a wonderful person and is surely missed.
Love that photo. I am old but not THAT old. Look at that phone. LOL!! My first memory of a phone was about 5 or 6 years. Our home phone was black, funny looking like the really old one. Our telephone number was 9034J. 😀
Omgosh..I sent the card before I read this post. I SWEAR I did!!
There are no Irish in my family, but being raised Catholic, I celebrate the day and will wear just a bit of green to avoid a pinch.
Thank you for sharing a memory of your grandma. It brought my grandmother to my mind again today. I have been thinking of her a lot lately.
Much Love
Carol
Hi Donna,
So cute that you remember the old phone number! 😀
We probably had the same phone that you had. I remember it being quite heavy for it’s size! Loved the sound of that dial though! I’ll bet you wished for a princess phone when they came out. I saw one at a friend’s home and thought it was ELEGANT!:-)
Fun memories!
Ahh.. the Princess Phone. Yep, had it in pink. Remember Trimlines? Had that one too in avocado green and a lot of other colors. Got a new one every time a new color came out.
BTW, don’t know if I told you, but I worked in the telephone industry for 40 years. Started off at one of the Baby Bells. Michigan Bell. A few years before I got promoted into management, I worked as a Sales Rep selling telephones and services. I won MANY contests for selling Trimline Packages and specialty phones, like the Mickey Mouse phones and the one that looked like a mini phone booth. Was so much fun!! Winning that is.. and having the rest of the sales force trying to “take me down.” LOL!! 😀
Wow Donna,
I think you did mention you worked in the telephone industry but I had forgotten it!
I would have loved to be in an office with you when I was working way back when. You have such a great sense of humor, and are full of fun and maybe a little mischief ? 😉 We probably would have gotten into trouble, without meaning to, though. LOL
I can imagine it was fun to work with all of the latest phones. Not surprised you won the contests!! 😀
What a great story about your Grandmother! I’m a little Irish from my Dad’s side, and I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland….maybe someday. 🙂
“Happy St. Patricks Day!”
Thanks, Brenda! 🙂
I hope you do get there someday. It is a magical place.
Its amazing how much we learn from our grandparents. I was lucky to have my grandmother until I was in my 30’s. She was such a good cook. She loved Brown Cow ice cream bars, and I cannot eat one without thinking of her. I had a wonderful St. Pat’s Day.