So before I lay my head down to rest after the long journey from SoCal to South San Fran, I feel I should share a little story about my grandma Norma, one of my favorite memories of her. Many of you may not know it, but I get my height from my moms side of the family, but it wasnt from my grandma. She was short. Short compared to my mom at 6, my grandfather at 63, my brother at 63-1/2, and me at 67. Grandma wasnt much over the 5 line, leaning more towards the lower end of the scale there. Growing up, I spent many many days and nights at special events and dinners at the Elks Lodge here in South City by the South San Francisco The Industrial City cement letters on the mountain you can see for miles. There were family gatherings, fundraising events, a ton of dinners, and many dances. My grandmother loved big band era music as it was the sound of her generation, and the house band at the Elks, with their neighbor and good friend Buzz on trumpet, was amazing. Even at a young age I appreciated the quality of music these guys put out. They could nail Pennsylvania 6500 as if Glen Miller were sitting right there. Well on one of these many nights where there was a dinner and then dancing, my grandmother was wearing a light green dress with long pieces that went down to her hands. I dont know what that kind of dress is called, but the material wasnt all the way around her arms. Almost like a fake frock. But it was a beautiful dress, and grandma looked great in it. Even with her heels on, she maybe topped out at 54. I had already peaked over the 6 mark. Well a particular song came on that I was fond of, and my mom poked me and said, Why dont you ask grandma to dance. Grandma was sitting, back to us, and kind of rocking in her chair as Bud, my grandfather had snuck off to the bar to hang with the boys for a bit. Now most teenage boys want nothing to do with dancing, let alone old people dancing, or their music. And, on top of that, there were a few teenage girls in the room that I would have given anything at that time to had the gumption to even talk to. I was already very aware of my height and felt like the world was watching this big lanky kid with the flock of seagulls wannabe hair when I entered the room. Self-conscious much? Yes. But I set all that aside, and stood up, came around to the front of my grandma, offered my hand and said, May I have this dance? My grandma, especially when she was smiling, had the most sparkling eyes. She absolutely lit up, then stood up, and said, Why that would be lovely Christopher. We stepped out onto the large ballroom floor, amidst the groups of old couples and proceeded to dance, with me taking the lead. If Erin reads this Im in trouble. We waltzed around, me keeping an eye out so as not to steer my grandma into an unsuspecting couple. This was my clumsy phase after all. But I wasnt clumsy that night. Not while we told each other how much we loved each other. Not while she looked up, way, way up, and she told me with that twinkle in her eye, with her smile as wide as can be, how proud she was of the man I was becoming. Soon she would make fun of my hair and choice of clothing. But for that one moment, in that large banquet hall/ballroom, with all her friends looking, the elk heads hanging from the wall as well, I was the luckiest guy in the world with one of the happiest women in California. She looked amazing as we strolled along, and Id forgotten all about those people around us. It was just me and my grandma. We cut a damn good rug. A true gentleman, I returned her to her chair after the dance, and stole off to get a Roy Rogers. While I was waiting, I had member after member come up to me, and their wives and tell me what a beautiful thing that was to see my grandma and I out there, and to see her smiling like that. I think that was the first time I got it. Care not what others think of you. Live in the moment as much as you can and its so much more enjoyable. I love you grandma. I hope we get to dance again someday. You will soon be added to my tattoo homage. I know you arent a fan of tattoos, but you belong there. You are always going to be in my heart.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 07:41:14 +0000
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