Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Sharon Bryant

November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving

Sharon Bryant

A long time ago when I was 15 years old, my grandfather died.  I was always very close to my grandparents.  Just a few days before grandpa died, I was visiting him at Vet's hospital.  He held my hand and asked me to make him a promise.  I loved him so much and said I'd promise him anything he asked.  He asked that when I got old enough, would I look out for grandma.  I told him yes, I would.

I kept that promise.

Right after I graduated, I moved in with grandma, who lived 90 miles from my parents.  I got a job as a Bell phone operator, was making good money, and I took care of my grandma.  I made sure she had enough to eat and how I loved going grocery shopping with her.  She was the best cook anyone could ask for.  She shopped wisely and watched for things on sale and I was always telling her, "Grandma, don't look at the price, if you want it, get it."

That year for Thanksgiving my mom wanted us to come to her house.  My aunt wanted us to come to her house.  It was always cold and snowing around Thanksgiving and gram and I both dreaded the long drive we would have to make to go to someone else's house.

 I made a decision that year.  I told grandma that from now on, each Thanksgiving would be my and her special holiday.  We'd cook a big meal, and if anyone wanted to come to her house, they were more than welcome, but we were going to stay home.  Gram loved the idea and that's how it was for the next 12 years.  Thanksgiving began to take on a special meaning to me other than what it stands for in my country.  It, to me, was the love of a grandparent and wanting to be with them.  And........play scrabble.

Gram and I were scrabble players.  She had taught me the game when I was young, and as I learned with age, I became a challenge to her.  So each Thanksgiving Day she and I had our "tournament" play.  The loser had to wash all the dishes.

Trust me, I gave it my all each year to beat her.  Sometimes I did and sometimes I didn't.

I lost gram in '78.  Not only did I lose the most wonderful grandmother a girl could ever ask for, but I lost my Thanksgiving buddy, my scrabble player, and my teacher.

Not a year passes on Thanksgiving Day that I don't remember the years she and I had together.  I can close my eyes and see food that looked like we were feeding an Army.  And of course we had to share.  It was nothing for her to feed the lonely widow down the country road.  Or the crippled little veteran who had outlived his family and lived alone at the lake.  I always loved delivering the food to those who were shut in's.

Tonight on the eve of Thanksgiving, I am thinking about all those years when I had my grandma with me.  I only had my grandma for 28 years of my life, but in those 28 years, I learned a lot from her.  I am thankful I am her granddaughter. 

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net