(no subject)
Feb. 13th, 2010 06:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I went to my grandfather's memorial this morning. Mostly to support my mother.
Huge mixed feelings continued as a) the memorial included a big Christianity sales pitch in the middle (hey, if most people attending the services are already sold, why do they keep pitching? Anyway...) and b) I had to sit on my own not-very-positive impressions of my grandfather and make space for people with fond memories of him. I totally believe them, no burnishing required. My grandfather was probably a very generous soul, as long as you acknowledged his authority and methods as correct. Complicated people are complicated.
A lot of folks were there to re-mourn my grandmother, too. And now, of course, there's the closing up of the house and the dispersion of stuff. I came home with a lot more 'stuff' than I expected -- Coca-Cola Santa schwag, plates my grandmother made (she was a tremendously skilled ceramics artist), a pith helmet for the babies and a set of spurs for me, just because. No anaconda skin, nor alligator skull. And a piece of art that I will discuss in a separate post. I also came home with two huge bags of oranges and mandarins from the trees in the back yard. I think he would approve.
I also took home his cookbooks and recipe binder, because that's the kind of gal I am. The minister praised his albondigas soup, which I have never tasted. I'll see if he wrote anything down. He made his own chorizo--his favorite breakfast was chorizo and eggs. And soon I think it will be time to make a big batch of enchiladas. Not baked, as I discussed with my mother a few weeks ago, just before he died. Rolled as you go.
Huge mixed feelings continued as a) the memorial included a big Christianity sales pitch in the middle (hey, if most people attending the services are already sold, why do they keep pitching? Anyway...) and b) I had to sit on my own not-very-positive impressions of my grandfather and make space for people with fond memories of him. I totally believe them, no burnishing required. My grandfather was probably a very generous soul, as long as you acknowledged his authority and methods as correct. Complicated people are complicated.
A lot of folks were there to re-mourn my grandmother, too. And now, of course, there's the closing up of the house and the dispersion of stuff. I came home with a lot more 'stuff' than I expected -- Coca-Cola Santa schwag, plates my grandmother made (she was a tremendously skilled ceramics artist), a pith helmet for the babies and a set of spurs for me, just because. No anaconda skin, nor alligator skull. And a piece of art that I will discuss in a separate post. I also came home with two huge bags of oranges and mandarins from the trees in the back yard. I think he would approve.
I also took home his cookbooks and recipe binder, because that's the kind of gal I am. The minister praised his albondigas soup, which I have never tasted. I'll see if he wrote anything down. He made his own chorizo--his favorite breakfast was chorizo and eggs. And soon I think it will be time to make a big batch of enchiladas. Not baked, as I discussed with my mother a few weeks ago, just before he died. Rolled as you go.
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Date: 2010-02-14 04:02 am (UTC)...a pith helmet for the babies and a set of spurs for me ...
I couldn't help but think:
"They went out tiger hunting with their elephant and gun
In case of accidents they always took their mom...."
no subject
Date: 2010-02-14 05:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-14 08:58 pm (UTC)(Your way and your whole family's way - I should have been more clear.)
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Date: 2010-02-15 01:50 am (UTC)i'm here for you in whatever you need me, dear.