Grandma Berry

When I went to Howard Elementary in the early 60's, my friend Carol and I would walk by "Grandma Berry's" house to and from school every day. Over time we got to know her and we would look forward to our (almost) daily visits after school. Grandma would have brownies or cookies most of the time, and we would go in her house to enjoy them. Grandma was an older woman, not much taller than us, with hair neatly wrapped in a bun or braids. I remember she laughed a lot.

Sometimes Grandma would wash her hair and sit on the back steps to comb and dry it. And sometimes she would let us comb it for her. She would sit on a metal chair, the kind with the curved legs that would sort of rock, and we would comb her hair that went down past the seat of the chair. I remember how amazed I was the first time I saw Grandma with her hair down, it was so long! Her hair was almost white at the top, but it got darker towards the ends. We would give Grandma Berry flowers that we picked along the way...mostly out of other folks gardens which I'm sure they would not have approved.

One day after school, Grandma Berry had a surprise for Carol and I. She had made us little slippers out of washclothes. I wore mine until they fell apart. I wish now I could remember how she made them. I also wish I could remember what she looked like, or what we talked about during our visits. But what I do remember is she always seemed happy to see us.

Our family moved to the "east side" and I transferred to Lincoln Elementary. Carol and I stopped by Grandma Berry's on the way home and I remember crying. I did not want to leave Howard and all my friends. My visits with Grandma Berry came to an end, I made new friends, and Carol and I drifted apart. I did see her a bit when we went to Walnut Jr. High.

One day, years later, Mom showed me the paper, and in it was a notice that Grandma Berry had died. I remember thinking I wished I had stopped by to see her before she died.

My own grandmother got me interested in genealogy and over the years I've been able to trace several lines of my family back many generations. One day, while looking through the Social Security Index, I did a quick search for Grandma Berry. Using other resources I was able to find where and when she was born, who she married, her children's name, when she was widowed. It was interesting to find out these facts about Grandma Berry, but my own personal memories of her are what matters most. Vital records can't tell you she made the best brownies and cookies, or that she could make slippers out of washcloths, or her hair was way down past her waist, or she laughed a lot, or she was so happy to see two little girls come to visit her after school.

I miss you Grandma Berry. Thanks for the memories!

Namárië