This afternoon, I was thrilled to be in a group of wise women, celebrating the energy of the Grandmothers.
The literal ones. The archetypal ones. The past ones. The future ones. The cosmic ones.
At one point, we were reflecting on memories that mattered deeply to us. Memories of relationships with our own generations.
The first thing that popped into my awareness was my current journey with my family’s genealogy. It’s quite the trip! (And a nice use for the miracles of modern science in these days!)
As of two nights ago, I have officially made it back 37 generations of direct grandmothers and grandfathers. Back to people born in about 900 CE.
I’m trying to grasp the stories, as well as the names and dates and places.
That is, as you might imagine, a whole lot of stories!
But then there was another voice in my awareness.
The voice of my younger granddaughter.
It came from some special memories around the Christmas of 2017.
We were on a cruise with our kids. It was amazing in so many, many ways.
One of the big ones for me was the time we spent waiting around tables for food to appear, especially at dinner.
The dining room on the ship was not conducive to energetic, excited mini-women. Distraction was in order.
The first or second night, the littlest of the littles put her hand on mine and said, “Tell us a story, Grammy. One from your mouff!”
I had lots! Many of them by way of my own Story-Gramma, Elsie, who happens to be the link to the big branch of the family tree in the way back machine!
The girls listened with huge eyes as I recounted a story which fascinated me at their age. Elsie swore that three or four of her older sisters were at home in the farm house when a major Mid-west tornado interrupted a mandatory afternoon nap. They were rolled in the mattress by the storm, pulled out a second story window and deposited, terrified but essentially safe, in a corn field, just in time to witness the family piano flying over their heads!
This particular tale has made the list of “from your mouff” best sellers!
What the girls probably don’t realize yet is that from the earliest of times, women and children have gathered in circle and told the stories that helped make them who they are. Stories that help interpret events in the moment and through the ages.
There are other stories, of course. Some they’re just beginning to be old enough for.
But the tradition is there. Around bar-b-que grills and enormous soup pots and ovens and tables, we gather.
We gather to learn more about who our people have been and how the world works and who we might become.
Together.
ps… a rare appearance by Grampy. (Well, almost!) And some really excellent Key Lime pie!
pps… stay tuned for more info on this year’s Red Madonna journey. There will no doubt be room for you!