There is a mug that sits on the kitchen counter. It reads “Women’s Rights National Historic Park”.
My grandmother was strong, funny, strict, passionate, and opinionated. She took no shit from anyone. I can only hope to be her when I grow up. To paint a picture of this women I call Gramby I need to share some of my favorite examples. I didn’t have a lot of sweet grandmotherly moments, she dealt with no nonsense facts where I learned to read between the lines.
Some of my favorites:
- Statement: “Oh its brown [my hair], I never know what color it’ll be when you come to visit”
- What I took from it: no complaint, no opinion, just an acknowledgement that she’s noticed I changed a part of my appearance.
- Situation: When I called to tell her I was engaged in 2018, the phone call lasted about a minute. Her response, “that’s good,” followed by “no that’s too far away I might not be here” when I told her we were thinking 2020 for the wedding. The call ended with, “ok bye” and her quickly hanging up.
- What I took from it: ‘I wish/hope I can be there, congratulations!’, the information has been presented, there was no need left to stay on the phone.
There is a mug that sits on the counter. It’s out in plain view. It’s not tucked away in the cupboard or donated long ago. It’s still there.
Of All the memories I have – the childhoods on the cape for vacation, visits to the NW watching me play soccer – my favorites are the ones I got to spend with her when I was growing into an adult. My gratitude for the support system she provided me while I was finding my way. Nothing can replace that.
From moving me out of my freshmen dorm, which came with multiple comments about the “nice young man” who helped us. Letting me live with her my first few weeks of summer and helping me find a place of my own. Taking me to the DMV to help me get my plates transferred out to Massachusetts. Attending my college graduation.
The little moments too, are precious. Dinners at the cape house with a tennis match or a red sox game on the tv. Afternoons watching hours Shark Tank. Walks with her dog Pepper. Talks about what we are currently reading and our favorite authors. Not to mention the Holidays: Three 4th of Julys and seven Thanksgivings. Where lively dinner topics ranged from whether Chippendales were strippers, Trump’s hair, and a must not miss crowd favorite round of “how does everyone want to die?”
My Grandmother was funny & witty, and a spitfire of a woman. She didn’t express her love with words or hugs. Instead with actions and little moments. So many I am happy to have collected and cherished over the years.
There is a mug on her kitchen counter. It reads “Women’s Rights National Historic Park.” I gave it to her for her birthday in 2017. She kept it and displayed it. Another little parting reminder of her love for me.
In Loving Memory: Carolyn Ogden Brotherton, AKA Gramby.
Roaming Brotherton 