Verna

Images flash before my eyes: 

Grandma’s teaching hands, guiding mine as she shows us how to use the wringer-washer. Standing on my tiptoes, I feed shirts and pants through the rollers while Hannah catches it on the other side.  She lets her chores become our game.

Grandma’s watching eyes, as she hangs up the laundry while we pin our doll’s clothes to the fence – our imitation, the sincerest of flatteries.

Grandma’s smile, as I stand next to my bunny-rabbit birthday cake. Food is her gift: pies, ginger snaps, mashed potatoes – all made in a way only she can master. This is her way of loving people.

Grandma’s neat cursive, gliding across the page of a letter. These perfectly formed letters, so flat on the bottom that you’d think she’d used a ruler, a reminder that a few thousand miles was not nearly enough to keep us from her thoughts.

Grandma’s touch on my shoulder, an affirming pat as I wash the dishes. “You’re a hard worker,” she says “your parents taught you well.” I smile at the high praise from this hard-working woman.

Grandma’s soft voice, rising to glide across the room in a hymn. Even when other things became foggy, she still knew all the words to those songs – proof of the deep faith and commitment she had for her God.

Grandma's photo albums, baked goods, quilts: an attempt to show the fullness of her life to the line of people who stream by.

Grandma's children, my dad and aunts and uncles, lined up on the other side of the room, greeting the same stream of people. They smile and nod and shed some tears as they listen to condolences and stories of this woman who touched so many.

Grandma's worn hands, folded neatly across the familiar pattern of her simple dress. Her covering is pinned in place and her glasses perched on her nose, things that I haven't seen for years now. She looks like Grandma, when she was really herself, before her mind let her down. It seems as though she's just dozed off, drifted into a nap - and for a moment, my eyes fool me into seeing her chest rise and fall. Then I squeeze my cousin's hand, not minding the tears that threaten to run down my cheeks, and finish my goodbye.

I Like Honeydew: 10 Ways I Have Changed In College

1) I decided at some point in my childhood that honeydew was yucky, and I hadn't tried it until I came across it in the cafeteria. Now I eat it about three times a week. I think it's better than cantaloupe.

2) I don't care nearly as much what people think. Maybe it's getting away from home, maybe it was a summer of growth, maybe it's a rebellious thing - whatever it is, I am thankful. Life is so much easier when you're not trying to please everyone around you.

3) I dance. As a study a break or weekend hang out, I get my groove on. This is attached to number two, because even though I don't know what I'm doing, I could care less, cuz it's FUN!

4) Also related to number two, I wear much less makeup. There are many more days where I wear none, and when I do take the time to put it on, I use it sparingly. Sweatpants also make a more frequent appearance.

5) I study. High school allowed me to pass tests by listening in class, but here I have to work for my grades. This means I had to teach myself how to study, and I think I did a pretty good job.

6) My sleep schedule is wacked out big time. I used to think I needed a solid eight hours to be personable, but I've found that that is not the case. Don't worry, I'm getting enough sleep - just not at the conventional times ;)

7) I make time for conversation. Its not just a nice things that happens sometimes, its something I look forward to and do purposefully. We talk about everything and anything, which is a great thing about having just met: we are completely new to each other. This means we aren't held down by the images that had been imposed on us, falsely or accurately, in the past. We say what is on our mind, share exactly how we feel. We talk. And this has made for some deep friendships, even in this short time.

8) People care about field hockey. No, we don't get the crowds that soccer does, but we do have a few dedicated fans. We get the same priority as other athletes. People ask about our games. When we jog off the field at half time or timeouts, someone is waiting with cool towels and a tray of gatorade cups. They take care of us.

9) I rock climb. A lot. Every single chance I get. I've climbed the wall, I've climbed real rock. I even recruited a group of fellow newbies to come with me. I want to take a technical rock climbing class. I'm pretty decent at it, and I love doing it.

10) I've found my favorite period of life so far: this one. I love college. A friend and I agreed that college was made for extroverts - so many new people to be friends with! Other than studies, we have no responsibilities, and an endless amount of opportunities are right in front of us. We can get into almost anything. And that's what I aim to do :)