When I was a kid, our neighbor Mrs. Freeman had an old pear tree just on the other side of our fence. In the fall it would be covered with the most luscious golden fruit. She was a retired nurse, in her 80's and she was so very kind to me. I think I may have been a pest... I'd ride my bike until I was bored then it would occur to me I could go 'visit' Mrs. Freeman. She was always pleasant and would invite me in and then begin to tell me stories of when she was a little girl. That was 1960 so she was remembering 1880's, how I wish I could remember just one of those stories. I didn't realize the importance, it was just chit chat.
I loved to visit her and we would have long conversations as she poured jams and jellies into baby food jars.These would be gifts for neighbors along with the most delicious pumpkin fruitcake you ever put in your mouth. Each baked in a tomato soup can and wrapped in foil, then Christmas paper and ribbon- they were special gifts. The most vivid memories are of her beautiful garden. Just out the screen door was a wonderland of stone paths and beds of blue delphiniums, white roses and pink peonies. The yard was dotted with plum, apple and pear trees and as we'd walk, her big orange kitty would follow- tail held high and swirling around our legs. It was an idyllic moment in time that I hold in my heart.
The only tangent memory is a little aquamarine glazed jar that she gave me on one of those visits. Inside are rose petals mixed with spice that were from her childhood~ when Ulysses S. Grant was President and Thomas Edison pioneered Edison Illuminating Company. When Sitting Bull lead the last of his fugitive people in surrender to US troops and Mark Twain wrote Tom Sawyer and Coca Cola was invented. If only I had listened....
Such beautiful childhood memories. Its sad that we all forget those handed down stories, unless they're repeated many times over. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful memory! It truly brought tears to my eyes. I can just picture you both in her garden. What a treasure to have something to remember her by.
ReplyDelete~Chris
What a great memory. I have so loved those types of friendships in my life as well. I would have been over to visit her a lot!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Love your blog! It's a pleasure to "meet" you. Janet
ReplyDeleteYou weren't a pest; she was glad to visit with you. Lot's of adults don't have time to listen......
ReplyDeleteTreasure that jar and I know you do.
Her gardens sounded idyllic; sort of what I strive for. I do have the cats...........(9 at present count).
What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Freeman would be proud.
That's what I call a true treasure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory to have and to have such a friend. It's very rare although I had many "old" friends when I was young too.
ReplyDeleteOh I can relate to your memories with a neighbor named Mame. She would sit in her wheelchair and "tinkle my arm" so softly while she told me stories of her life. I sat memorized taking it all in. I do remember a few of her stories.
ReplyDeleteI think you little gift is such a lovely thing. The color and crackle are amazing. Thanks for sharing...
My grandad (we called him Pappy) was born in just after the Civil War and lived well into his 90's. He was 50 when my dad was born and 83 when I came along. He never talked about his childhood - at least to me. I WISH I'd been smart enough to have asked him about his family and growing up. About all I know is that he rode the train from Ohio to Oklahoma to go to work in the oil fields. And I know that it was before statehood. I wish I knew more. On another not, my grandmother (on the other side of the family) had pear trees on her land. We'd pick those pears and wrap them in newspaper, put them in cardboard boxes and they went under our bed until we were ready for some of the delicious fruit. Ahhh - memories.
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