My mother started working at the Deena factory in Arlington when I was a few months old. Mamamae took care of me while Mama worked.
My grandmother was a very quiet woman. She kept her thoughts to herself. Believe it or not, I have a tenancy to do the same thing. I am very comfortable to not say any thing aloud for several hours. I have a wonderful imagination and I do not need people to entertain me. There is always something interesting going on in my mind.
In that regard, Mamamae and I were very compatible and had an easy going relationship. The only time my grandmother got under my skin was when she sang. She was so tone deaf it was unbelievable. She didn't sing much at home but she let it rip at church. She sang loud, with gusto and much enthusiasm. She was singing to the Lord so it should not have mattered to me but it did. I was a little girl and I knew nothing about 'praising the Lord'. All I wanted was for Mamamae to not sing so loud. As soon as praise and worship started, I began to scoot down the pew to get as far away from her as I could. She hurt my ears. It never worked. I scooted right smack into Mama. My only recourse was to get on the other side of Mama and try to go to sleep. That worked until I was too old to sleep in church.
As I got older, I was allowed to sit with other kids my age. This didn't usually last long for me because at church and in school I was a talker. I made up for the lost time of quietness at home and I was in trouble all the time for talking. 'Conduct' was my worst grade on my report cards.
Mamamae never did learn to carry a tune. She has been gone a long time and I would give anything to hear her sing "Just a Closer Walk With Thee", off key and as loud as she wanted to sing. I miss her every day.
However, Mamamae has been justified and I have to admit Karma did her up right. When Karma found me, it bit me in the butt when it comes to singing or playing musical instruments. And to make matters worse, I married into a musical family. Everyone sings and plays all sorts of musical instruments. They are amazing. My grandchildren have learned to play guitar within the past couple of months. I was there when they started learning and it baffled me. It was so easy for them. Tommy, Tami, Jacy and Logan play and sing all the time. I love it. I very quietly sing along so no one can hear me. As far as playing a musical instrument, well let's just say 'it is not gonna happen'. I used to know the cord G7. It hurt my fingers and that is as far as I progressed. Tommy would love for me to play and sing but he can't help but laugh when I try. And I do sing at times. Loud and proud as everyone around me finds something else to do. I bet Mamamae is looking down from Heaven and laughing as I do my off key notes. Yep!! Karma is a witch for sure.
Mamamae, Granddaddy and me--not singing:)
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