Nana was my last living grandparent. She was a Girl Scout leader for decades. It was an activity in which she made lifelong friends and fostered the friendships of the girls she led. Above her kitchen door was a metal trivet with the words to an old Girls Scout song which exemplified Nana.
*Nana on the right with friends Anna and Ginny, who remained close their entire lives. Make new friends but keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold.
A circle's round, it has no end,
That's how long I want to be your friend.
*I don't actually have a lot of pictures of us together because she was usually the one holding the camera.
When she died, Nana had childhood friends mourning her loss as well as new friends who she had only met months before when they moved into her retirement community. My own best friend was there too and not solely for the sake of supporting me. She was also there mourning my grandmother herself because the two of them, even across the distance and generations, had their own friendship. I also looked among the other mourners and saw Nana's friends who were of her own age and I thought how much I'd miss the surprise visits from them when Nana would load them up in her car and they'd all descend unannounced on my house for a short visit. Nana took care of her friends, brought me into the circle of her friends, and embraced and loved mine as well.
*Nana made new friends wherever she went. Yes, that's her at my cousin's wedding after catching the garter.
When Nana died Mom asked if there was anything in particular I wanted. I asked for the trivet to hang over my own kitchen door. Among Nana's things we found a second small laser cut wooden plaque with the same Girl Scout song on it. I asked Mom if she minded if I took that one too...so I could give it to my best friend. Mom smiled and nodded, agreeing that was the perfect home for it.
*"Your pal always, Helen." Too true.
One is silver and the other gold.
A circle's round, it has no end,
That's how long I want to be your friend.
*I don't actually have a lot of pictures of us together because she was usually the one holding the camera. When she died, Nana had childhood friends mourning her loss as well as new friends who she had only met months before when they moved into her retirement community. My own best friend was there too and not solely for the sake of supporting me. She was also there mourning my grandmother herself because the two of them, even across the distance and generations, had their own friendship. I also looked among the other mourners and saw Nana's friends who were of her own age and I thought how much I'd miss the surprise visits from them when Nana would load them up in her car and they'd all descend unannounced on my house for a short visit. Nana took care of her friends, brought me into the circle of her friends, and embraced and loved mine as well.
*Nana made new friends wherever she went. Yes, that's her at my cousin's wedding after catching the garter.When Nana died Mom asked if there was anything in particular I wanted. I asked for the trivet to hang over my own kitchen door. Among Nana's things we found a second small laser cut wooden plaque with the same Girl Scout song on it. I asked Mom if she minded if I took that one too...so I could give it to my best friend. Mom smiled and nodded, agreeing that was the perfect home for it.
*"Your pal always, Helen." Too true.
29 comments:
It's tough to remember those we owe our very existence to and far more difficult to pay proper tribute.
With some very simple stokes of your pen you show us just what immortality looks like
this was really nice chica. my mom's side grandmother was my Nana. Nanas are good stuff
Those pictures are such sweet recollections! I love the way you are pouring tea! :)
I caught The Girl singing that song the other night as she was finishing up in the bathroom before bed. She's a Junior this year and is enjoying Scouts to the fullest. She joined with a girl that has been her good friend for years, best friend this year - and together they are learning all about how important all friends are - new and old.
p.s. Nana's ARE awesome aren't they?
Your Nana's legacy comes across nicely through that cute little song. It is clearly etched on more than just wood; it sounds very much like your own heart, Lime. May the Lord bring song to your soul through the memories of Nana, and may her legacy continue to bear fruit through lives she touched.
PS, I'll bet that tea was yummy. What a cute picture!
I was a Girl Scout for 4 years and a leader for 7 years. Always loved that song!
I'm a friend keeper. I still keep in touch with friends that I've had since elementary school. And I remember my Grandma's friends - they had a card club and some of their nicknames were so funny to me as a kid, like "Boots"
I know that song too! Sang it many times.
That last picture of Nana is just lovely.
Happy Birthday again Lime!
Very sweet, M
Molly sings that song, too; I hadn't thought she was a Girl Scout. . .
Ah, that's lovely, darlin'. Very, very nice. I enjoyed it. God bless her.
What a beautiful tribute you have done here to a woman whose impact on your life is more than obvious in the way you lead your own life today.
Lime, that is a wonderful post. Thank You for sharing!
XoXoX Bella!
Awesome Tribute, Lime!
What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful woman.
That was beautiful, Lime. Now you have me all verklempt - dammit!
What a lovely tribute...I miss my grandma's too. :(
We should be assigned new grandparents when our original ones leave this planet!!
Thanks for sharing a part of your Nana with us, she sounds like a beautiful anyone would loved to have been around.
Upon reading the song on the trivet it reminded me of one of my first meetings when I was a Girl Scout, that was the first G.S. song I learned.
Have a great day!
This was the best tribute in words and pictures I have read and seen in a long time.
I am sorry I did not get a chance to visit sooner. This is such an incredible slice of lime. Your Nana sounds like a wonderful woman. Thanks for sharing and could you pass a Kleenex. My darn leaky eye's again.
What great memories you have (snazzy red tights in the tea pic BTW). She sounds like a great lady...and that last picture...she kind of looks like Natalie Portman...
The picture of you and Nana with the tea pot is priceless! I love fun grandmas. We will be fun when we are there :)
She sounds like a grand dame!
Maybe it's because I was a Campfire girl..But my g-mamma trivet says...
"Old friends...are the oldest".
I need to work on my Nana skills maybe?
Loved this post sweet-pea....
Grandmas are special. I lost one of mine when I was a teenager - your Nana reminds me of her. Lost the other one in '94, and I now live in her house. I really love the way you have of telling stories, especially about family. I know she added richly to your life - and to that of many others. Great photos too. Sorry I've been sort of out of the main blogging stream - sort of in a slump.
Oh, and I love Yogi Bear :)
Wonderful tribute Michelle!
After reading about your trivet makes me wonder which box mom's is hanging out in - I feel a search about to happen!
Beautiful....
What a beautiful woman and one who left you and many others with very dear memories. Hold tight!
These tributes you do, plus the pix, are you at your best.
Always a tear in my eye.
What a wonderful contribution to Nana and what great pick you made. Must be still dear to you to watch it in your kitchen.
Look: I'm sorry I haven't been around that much - very busy season you know.
Btw: HB :-)
Lime - A nice read. One thing I wish is I knew my Grandparents when they were younger. My Grandma on my father's side is still alive and still quite active. She always wanted to see the world and travelled with every extra penny she had. She's also a former piano teacher, and was very supportive of my music career.
Be sure to take lots of pictures with you in them when you have Grandkids.
She sounded like someone I would have loved to have known.
I loved this post. It brought back many memories of my dear grandparents.
I remember my Grandpa recording many things for me when I got a reel-to-reel tape recorder one Christmas. I would give anything to find that somewhere.
Remember in the movie Peggy Sue Got Married when she gets to meet up with her dead grandparents again? I wish that would happen to me...I miss them all very much.
Thanks for putting together a great story.
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