Friday, April 22, 2011

Birth of 1st grandchild

When her first grandson was born Gramma was in Washington D.C. visiting some friends. She was so happy upon hearing the news she wanted to send her love via a card through the post office. Where she was at the post office was in a mom n pop shop and they also had a little fountain area. The post office was closed but would be re-opening soon so she decided to have a sundae while she waited and went to the counter and sat down.

She waited and waited as the waitress passed her by several times to take other people's orders. Finally the waitress came to her and asked her what she wanted. Gramma ordered a hot fudge sundae and the waitress walked away. She returned with a brown paper bag and put it in front of Gramma. "There you go." she said. Gramma was confused and told the waitress that she wanted to eat it there. The waitress told her she couldn't. Gramma still not making the connection didn't understand why she couldn't eat it there. Finally the waitress bend over the counter and said, "You are colored aren't you?" Gramma was like "What?!!" she slams her fist on the counter as it all came to her. "I am brown or are you too stupid you don't know the difference? I come from Hawaii, an island in the Pacific Ocean." Are you that ignorant you don't know Hawaii?" The waitress tried to take the bag and unload the contents all the while being very apologetic. Gramma says, "Never mind I don't want your sundae and you can take your apologies and shove them where the sun don't shine!"

One of the stories I've heard repeatedly and she loved telling it. She also remembered riding with her friends and pulling into a restaurant and watching 4 black people going in and immediately coming out. When she questioned this she was told the restaurant didn't serve them, gramma asked to go eat someplace else.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

History

I know that I've stopped posting stories on here. But I've been debating with myself for a couple of months now on whether I should continue. I still don't know.

These are stories from my grandmother or about her that I know. But I've realized that I can tell my stories but I really can't give the history on most of them. And for some these stories may hurt, a lot. Do I dare continue? I just don't know. I know how she felt at times but I don't know what brought on those feelings. So would it be fair to write those stories?

I just got done posting on the facebook group that stories and history should be told if only to understand our family history better. I'm just not sure I want to be the one telling the stories. I love my family and I have always wished we were closer. But something was there that kept the family from bonding.

When we would go and visit Uncle Walter and family I was always so excited. His daughters, my cousins were so, I don't know the words. They were beautiful and sacred to me. It's hard to explain but for a long time I worshiped them for the Goddesses they were. Even Norma and Yolanda when I met them it was like seeing the Goddess incarnate. I thought they were the best things since sliced bread. Still do really. That's why this is hard.

Some of the stories will hurt. But they are the stories I know and remember. I finally have a connection with my cousins like I've always wanted. Do I risk losing it now? Should I? I just don't know. So if there is no postings I'm still thinking.