Day Twenty-two Footnotes and Memories

Found this lurking in my memories today. Written in 2016 and shared without changes.

When my brothers and I were growing up our maternal grandparents lived next door. During the summers we spent more time with them than at home as dad usually worked out of town and mom worked days. We owe a lot of who we are to them and their expectations of us.

We were to respect and show that respect to them, our parents and every adult we met. It was expected of us to say ‘yes sir/ ma’am; no sir/ ma’am, thank you, please and other polite responses.

We were to ask for things, never demand for the world did not owe us anything.

We were to understand that to have things, we had to work for and earn them.

We were to study and learn so we could make something of ourselves.

We were to understand that not everything was it appeared to be and to listen to that small voice telling us to be cautious,

We were to spend our days outside, playing or doing chores, but when called, we better respond quickly.

We were to respect ourselves in the way we dressed, in the way we acted, in the way we spoke. Being southern did not make us stupid and we should never act that way. And if foul language ever made its way out of our mouth, then we would learn the taste of soap. There was simply too many other words that would express the same sentiment.

We were to appreciate the gifts and blessings that had been given to us. Our families, our homes, this one lane dirt road off to one side of the county, our education, our jobs..no matter how big or small, appreciate it all.

I am who I am due to family because mom being their daughter was of the same mindset and taught us and expected of us the same things.

I love a good meal made from straight from the garden foods. I love a good time with family. I love a good conversation where one can sit and discuss without cursing and or name calling. I love simple, clean, fun.

Thank you to my grandparents, I do miss you and will always love you. Thank you my parents, for helping to instill in me respect for myself and others.. I can only hope to pass those same things on to my son.