Growing up, I was so blessed to be able to have seven grandparents be a big part of my life. My grandparents on both my Mom and Dad's side were living and my great-grandparents on my Mom's side were too, as was my great-great-grandma. I want to share a couple of memories specifically about my Great-Grandma Skinner.
When I was twelve years old, my folks bought the family farm where my great-grandparents lived. Later, this was to become a centennial farm as it was in the family for over 100 years. As we moved to the farm, my great-grandparents moved into a trailer on the southeast end of the property. We had lots of good years interacting with them. I remember Grandma Skinner helping me with my Latin when I was a freshman. She could remember a few phrases, especially "Puer est bonus."
When I was about 16, I was going to go out to the back 40 and look for berries. I asked Grandma if she'd like to go also and she said yes. So, this Grandma, that always wore a dress, donned a pair of my sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and a pair of my tennis shoes and accompanied me to the back of the farm. Dressing like that must have made her feel young again because she took my hands and we danced around the living room. Somewhere, there's a picture of that. It had been many, many years since she had been to the back fields of the farm and she enjoyed it immensely. I don't remember if we found any berries, but I will never forget that day.
But the best memory of all that I have of my Grandma Skinner was shortly after my son was born. On a particularly warm June day, I was visiting with both her and Gram (my maternal grandma who was Grandma Skinner's oldest daughter and who cared for Grandma in her later years). At that time, I was still nursing my son. I recall sitting on the floor in front of Grandma's chair. She had her hairbrush and was brushing my waist-length hair while I was nursing my son. There were only the three of us there that afternoon. As I was nursing and enjoying the pampering, Grandma leaned over and whispered in my ear, "You know, you won't get pregnant as long as you're nursing!"
That was so, so precious to me ... first that she truly believed that, but also that she whispered those words because her generation didn't speak openly of such things. I will never forget those moments! A couple of years later, as her mind continued to revert to older days, I would come to visit and she would always ask (usually several times during the visit), "Leslie Anne, whose little boy is that?" I would reply, "That's my little boy, Grandma. His name is Brandon. He is your great-great-grandson." She would smile and pat him on the head. And Brandon, well, he would time after time untie Grandma's tennis shoes. She would smile and ask me again whose little boy that was as she patiently reached down and retied the white canvas tennies.
The best part is that even though Grandma's mind and body weren't well and whole, her soul was. She had a personal relationship with Jesus and I know that she is there with Him today. She was the one that told me so much about Jesus when I was a little girl. That brings comfort to my mind as I think back to those days so many years ago.
Until the next time ... be blessed!
Leslie Anne
