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I've been thinking about my Grandma Mahaffey today. I have a set of china that belonged to her, and I think of her whenever I use it. It isn't fancy...but neither was she.
Grandma died of brain cancer when I was barely 7 years old, so my memories of her are fuzzy and fragmented. I mostly remember going to the farm...one of my favorite things in the world, especially when all of the cousins were there. We would play hide and seek in the cornfield at night. The bigger kids would slide (or jump) off of the barn roof. (I was the little kid, so I couldn't do all of the more "fun" things.) I remember exploring the chicken house and barn and the old schoolbus. There was an old steering wheel that was attached to a metal pipe, sticking up out of the dirt in the backyard. We would swing 'round and 'round on it...I thought it was the greatest thing ever! (Being a little kid sometimes had its advantages.) In the evenings we would play blind man's bluff in the living room, jumping and climbing around on all of Grandma's furniture. Sometimes we would stage a production for the grownups, using old clothes and draperies stored in the back bedroom. We'd play croquet in the front yard, young and old alike. We all loved that old farmhouse! There was a "secret panel" upstairs (mostly used for storing peanuts) and a door leading into the attic, which I was always too afraid to enter (although I've had many a nightmare about it). At Grandma's house, all of us young'uns were allowed to drink coffee. I thought it tasted horrid, but I still would sip some of it because it made me feel so grownup. Life was so exciting at Grandma's house!
I remember standing on the step stool at the kitchen counter, "helping" Grandma cook supper. Grandma was known for being a wonderful cook! I have heard many a story about her cooking, especially her homemade rolls. Her kitchen wall was lined with shelves that stored all the jars of canned goods and jellies that she always put up. Grandma always kept a plastic Mr. Clean doll sitting on the window sill over the kitchen sink that I loved to play with. I sure wish I knew what happened to Mr.Clean!
I don't remember Grandma saying much. I don't know if that was because she was a quiet woman, or if she just seemed so because Grandpa ALWAYS had plenty to say! I remember sitting between them in the pickup, going to church. I remember playing with their German shepherd, King, who was so patient with all of us grandkids. We could ride him like a pony, and he was gentle as could be. Let a stranger come around, though, and watch out! He was very protective of us kids!
I remember sitting on a stool in Grandma's bedroom as she combed out her hair...before the cancer. I remember going to see her after her surgery, and she was wearing a turban to cover her shaved head. I vaguely remember that she just wasn't the same...
I have to admit that I'm a bit envious of my older cousins who had more time with Grandma and whose memories are more vivid. I remember her face, but not her voice. I seem to remember her scent, and how soft her skin was, and how sweet her smile. I remember Daddy holding me and leaning me down to kiss her cheek as she lay in her coffin at her funeral.
I was very close to my mother's mother, Granny Putman, and was blessed to have her in my life for 35 years. My children insisted that I be called Granny when Jesse was born, because she was such a special person and strong influence in my life. But there is a large hole left from losing Grandma at such a young age. I don't remember a lot about her, but I know that she was very special to me. I know that I loved her very much, and I still miss her to this day.
