A while back I started to compile snippets of stories about women who have touched my life. I have relayed this particular story often. Sadly the woman I’m writing about has now left this earth but her presence is still felt in many ways especially with her children and grandchildren. She leaves a legacy to her family of a loving wife, mother and grandmother. For me, she leaves happy memories and a phrase that I have used for many, many years.
Years ago Aunt Hannah had serious heart surgery. Back in the 70’s it was not as common of a surgery and the family was very concerned about her life expectancy and her health going forward. But she is and was one tough cookie and lived a fulfilled life for several years afterwards.
One of the rules following surgery was that she was not allowed to pick up anything over five pounds. At the time she had little grandchildren and often they ran up to her to be picked up. She would just sigh and tell them, “Nanny can’t pick you up, I have a bone in my leg.” Then she would sit down and the little ones would climb up into her lap to be showered with her hugs and kisses. The children accepted her excuse without question. She didn’t want to go into deep explanations about her heart surgery – it wasn’t necessary and the children were not really able to understand that anyway – but they did understand she had a bone in her leg. And if Nanny said she couldn’t pick them up because of that – well it was good enough for them!
As I think of this delightful woman with her simplistic responses to life’s every day moments – she always brings a smile to my face – and always that bone in her leg!!!