Memories Of My Grandma Coleman: Church, Feet-Washing, Eggnog & Songs-I Felt Safe & Special
Posted: Sunday, September 18, 2011
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
She was an energetic 1st Class Grandma; a Grandma who made me feel safe and loved. She wore her hair braided, then braids were neatly piled on top of her head, horizontally. She had a soft voice and kind eyes that reflected wisdom, love and strength.
She lived in Jacksonville, Florida and I lived in the Tampa Bay Area, so my times with her were not an everyday event, but that seemed to make it all the more special when I would visit her in Jacksonville.
She was a widow by the time I was born. My Dad was her oldest son. He quietly sent her money to help with expenses. Daddy had a few siblings that were still at home, living with Grandma.
One of the most vivid memories of Grandma was going to church with her. It was an all-day event. It began sometime in the morning hours and went on until mid-afternoon. Somewhere during that time period was a break for lunch. Everyone brought food and there was plenty to eat. Grandma was a Hardshell Baptist (I don’t know if it is still called that name or not). One of the things that took place at church was foot-washing (as the disciple’s wasted Jesus’ feet and vice versa.) I would watch in complete fascination as this event took place. Singing was from a tiny blue-green book. It contained only words, no music notes. There was not a musical instrument in church. Everyone seemed to know the tune. As I recall, there were about 8 preachers and the church members had church only about once a month. Grandma knew that a child could not sit still that long, so we were allowed to go outside and play (which we did most of the time).
Grandma’s beliefs and spiritual music carried on to her personal life. This was played out to me in the form of her softly singing from the tiny blue-green book, as we both were in bed for an afternoon nap. Her voice was so sweet and tender and she knew every song in that book. I don’t remember the words; I just remember her soft, sweet voice praising God. It made me feel all safe and warm. I never got homesick when I went to visit Grandma.
This may sound odd to you, but my Grandma’s treat for her grandchildren was eggnog (non-alcoholic). She lovingly beat up the eggs and added whatever else one usually puts in eggnog and a flavoring (probably vanilla) and I loved it.
Grandma Coleman was the Queen of Grandmas. When I would visit her, there would be other grandchildren there. Her house was the hub of comfort and love and never too small for another grandchild or child. That meant we would eat in “shifts” and she would make pallets on the floor for us to sleep on. I loved that. I loved the hustle and bustle of lots of relatives and comfort food. She served grits often, so that food would stretch for her children and grandchildren and to this day, I like grits.
Grandma Coleman had a pedal sewing machine and I can still see her pedaling away (very fast).
She lived in the “projects” and I thought that was such a fun place. There were swings and slides and lots of kids to play with. I loved playing with my cousins.
I was about 10 years old when my Grandma Coleman died. My Dad was inconsolable and I couldn’t think of anything to say to Daddy, so as I sat by him at her funeral, I took my hankie and wiped tears from his face. I wasn’t too sad because I knew Grandma Coleman was in heaven because she was an angel.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Lucky are the people who have their grandparents around, even if it adds up to just a few years. I never had any grandparents on either my mother's side or my father's side. Darn! I always said I'd be one of the best grammys around. What I never figured was that we had an oaf of a father and his beast of a wife that would put our family through the grinder, disobey all court rulings flagrantly and somehow get away with most of it. What goes around comes around and her kid is in jail, my two grandkids each ran away from his hope at the earliest opportunity at age 16 and now they are with us anyway.
We all have the memories, don't we? I'll submit mine before the end of the week.
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