No new story today. Instead this is a repost of a story I wrote back in 2012 for Memorial Day. Since it's a day to remember, I thought it appropriate. Have a good day everyone.
Memories
Karen was
sitting in the kitchen going through her recipe box looking for a particular
recipe her husband requested she make for his birthday party. She came
across a handwritten recipe that was attached to a card. It was George’s
grandmother’s recipe for fresh peach cobbler. As she fingered the card she
thought of the first time she met George’s grandparents and the lessons she
learned on that first trip and the many consequent trips after that.
His
grandparents lived on a farm in Osgood, IA which had been in the family for
three generations. George’s father, Jim, had no interest in the family
farm and joined the military right out of high school. This caused a rift
in their relationship that had never been repaired. Consequently, George
didn’t know his grandparents very well and they had never met Karen even though
they had been married for over ten years.
When
Karen found out that she and George would be traveling within one hundred miles
of Osgood on their cross-country trip she suggested he call his grandparents
and ask if they were up for a visit sometime over the Memorial Day Weekend.
Grandma Jenkins was thrilled with the prospect of having them visit. She
invited them to stay at the farm. She said that other than the annual parade
she and her husband participated in since he came home from WWII in 1946, they
had no other commitments.
Karen and
George arrived at the farm on Friday afternoon. George only remembered
being there once when he was very small and Karen was a born and bred city girl.
Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins no longer ran the farm. Years back they
leased the fields and a small cottage to a young couple. As the tenant
family expanded, Grandma and Grandpa switched places so that they were living
in the cottage when Karen and George arrived. The couple and their
children were more like family than tenants and it was plain to see the love
that was shared by all.
Grandma
and Grandpa spent as much time in the old house as the Barnett’s. Billie
Jo worked as a library assistant, so Grandma kept an eye on the kids after
school and often had dinner waiting when Billie Jo came home. Grandpa
helped Justin in the fields when he felt able but often just did the dozens of
handyman jobs that were required on a working farm.
That
first Friday evening they had a quiet dinner with Grandma and Grandpa in the
cottage. Karen fell in love with them right away. As she watched
she hoped that she and George could have that kind of relationship.
Grandpa was always patting or touching Grandma when she came near.
Grandma had a twinkle in her eye that really sparkled when Grandpa was
near. Their love was like a beacon that Karen had never before
experienced; certainly not in her marriage, or the marriages of her parents or
siblings.
The next
day was the parade and everyone was up early. There was a lot of activity
at the farm house. Grandma and Billie Jo were getting the food ready for
the picnic following the parade. Karen volunteered to help. While they
were talking, Justin came into the kitchen. He grabbed a quick kiss and
patted Billie Jo’s backside before he was out the door. Karen
smiled. There seemed to be a pattern here. Grandma and Grandpa
Jenkins must have rubbed off on Billie Jo and Justin. Karen was actually
a little jealous.
She remembered
attending her first Memorial Day Parade; all the veterans wearing the hats
denoting their branch of service. John Phillip Sousa’s music kept
everyone in cadence as they stepped along. Grandpa Jenkins looked so
proud riding in the lead car. He was dressed in his full old uniform and
was especially proud that it still fit after all those years. He and
Grandma were all smiles as they waved hello to all the people along the route.
Karen had closed her eyes and just pictured them riding in that first parade so
long ago. How romantic it must have been - this handsome young soldier
and his beautiful bride. How had they kept that romance alive?
At the
picnic, Karen and Grandma were alone together while everyone else was either
playing baseball or fishing. Karen told Grandma she was having a
wonderful time and was glad to be getting to know them. She told Grandma
that she felt a little jealous because she and Grandpa were still like
sweethearts. She said that she and George loved one another but the
passion has ebbed a little bit each year they were married. She asked
Grandma her secret.
Grandma
said there was no secret. They just loved and respected one
another. He was her prince in shining armor. She learned from her
mother that if she just treated him that way every single day he would always
remain so. She said that she took care of the house and the children and
he took care of her and everything else. She always shared her views and
opinions and most often he took her advice, but if they disagreed, it was his
decision and it was final. She didn’t say anything more.
The next
day, Karen and Billie Jo were sitting on the porch shelling peas and
Karen asked Billie Jo the secret to her happy marriage. Billie Jo said
there was no secret. She basically said the same thing that Grandma had
said the day before. Karen said there had to be more than that and Billie
Jo just flushed and said they both knew what to expect from their marriage and
when they both lived up to their roles there was harmony.
Karen and
George left the following day. They vowed to keep in touch and to come
visit again. Karen vowed she was going to try to take Grandma’s advice.
She told George about her conversations with Grandma and Billie Jo and said she
wanted that kind of relationship with him. He told her he loved her and didn’t
think their marriage was bad. She said it wasn’t bad but she wanted it to
be better. Grandma and Grandpa had been married over fifty years and they
still acted like teenagers. She and George had only been married ten and
already the passion had ebbed.
Back to
the Present Day
Her
daughter came into the kitchen then and brought Karen out of her reverie.
Sally asked why she was grinning and Karen told her about meeting Grandma and
Grandpa Jenkins for the first time. Sally loved visiting with her
grandparents but they never talked about their parents. Karen explained
about the family rift and how she had come to meet them. She told Sally
that meeting them and taking their advice had changed her life. Sally
wanted to know the details and Karen told her about the first conversation she
had with Grandma Jenkins. She told her there were many more conversations
over the years but they were private and someday Sally may find the answers on
her own.
When
Sally left, Karen went back to her reverie. She missed Grandma and
Grandpa. They had passed several years ago. They left the farm to
Billie Jo and Justin much to George’s dad’s chagrin. There was a letter
attached to their will addressed to Jim stating that since he had not been
interested in farming they felt it only right to leave it to Billie Joe and
Justin who had put in their blood, sweat and tears over the years. Billie
Jo and Justin still lived at the farm, but just as years before they moved back
into the cottage and their eldest son and his wife lived in the main
house.
Karen
felt the legacy she received from Grandma Jenkins was worth more than any real
estate. Several years after they visited, Karen received a package from
Grandma. It was a short letter addressed to her in which Grandma told her
what she thought was the secret to her happy marriage. Along with the
letter was an apron. Karen didn’t put two and two together until she
noticed another letter in the apron pocket. The letter told her to keep
the apron handy. It had many purposes. The most obvious was to protect
good clothing while cooking all of her husband’s favorite foods. The not
so obvious was to protect her marriage. Wearing the apron, sans any other
clothing, had gotten she and Grandpa through many a rough spot. And
sometimes, Grandpa would place some well aimed swats at the apron’s opening
which also kept their romance fresh.
Karen
couldn’t believe that sweet old lady would be so daring and forthcoming.
She put the letters away in her keepsake box and tried out the apron that very
night. Over the years, whenever their romance was waning, Karen would pull out
the apron. It always worked it’s magic.
This
Memorial Day Karen was once again working her booth at the fair. It was
one of the most popular booths. The booth was called Grandma’s Secret.
Her merchandise always sold out
Karen
felt the real reason for the booth’s success was a recipe card with the
picture shown below that was always included in the apron pocket. The
deluxe model included some multi-purpose kitchen tools.
What do
you think?
See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.