My dad’s parents died before I turned five. So I have no memories of them except attending my grandfather’s funeral. I was too small to look in the casket so an attendant picked me up. Even at that young age I got a sense that he wasn’t sleeping; he wasn’t coming back. To this day I have difficulty going to sleep on my back.1
Now for my mom’s parents I have many fond memories of them. My grandma and grandpa Tolbird lived in log cabin on an 80 acre farm in a rural community in Ouachita (pronounced 'Washitaw')Parish, Louisiana. We visited them at least once a year. Going to see them was a big ordeal for my parents but it was always exciting for me. Mom and dad would load up the car with the luggage and the four kids and take us on the 8 hour journey back in time.2
No matter what time of the day or night we arrived we were always greeted with open arms and invited to make ourselves comfortable. Dad would usually walk out on the porch to stretch his legs after the stressful drive. Mom would unload the car, situate us kids and present her mom and dad with the gifts she had brought…. usually scraps of cloth for grandma’s quilts or the latest pictures of us. 3
After the initial greetings and the visit to the outhouse we kids would be ready to play in and explore our little heaven on earth. The woods surrounding the farm provided a perfect playground for us. Nearby, an abandoned gravel pit became our sandbox. There was always something new to see or do when we were there. When we tired of playing we’d make a short hike to an artesian well called Salisbury springs where the freshest, coolest water was available year round. Then we’d walk down the dirt road, later named after my grandfather (Jack Tolbird), back to the house. 4
By the time we got back to the house it was time to get cleaned up and ready for supper which was the main meal of the day. Ham, cornbread and whatever fresh garden vegetable ie… purple hull peas, corn, ’arsh’ potatoes, butter beans, tomatoes were served. Dessert followed was usually peach cobbler or some sort of berry pie. After the meal was finished and the dishes put away we would go sit on the porch and watch the sunset. I remember many late afternoons spent on that porch listening to my grandma and grandpa telling stories about their past. All the while my grandma would be unbraiding and combing her silver gray hair. Grandma always braided her hair and wore it rolled up in bun on the back of her head. When she was through combing her hair she would bid us good night. This routine would be repeated everyday we stayed. 5
The morning meal for my grandparents came before dawn. It consisted of bacon, eggs and biscuits or toast crumbled up on a saucer and covered with coffee. No matter how early I got up grandma and grandpa were already in the kitchen. They would finish their meal and clean up the kitchen. Then grandma would don her bonnet and apron and head out to tend to the animals. Back then they still owned a milk cow, a mule named Tobe, a dog named Belle and a host of chickens. She milked the cow, fed the dog and the mule, gathered the eggs and headed back to the house. Grandpa would go to one of several fields and tend his crops. By 10 AM they were back at the house preparing lunch. Normally by that time we kids were awake and ready for breakfast. So grandma would make two meals, one for us and one for them. My favorite was her gigantic biscuit she called ‘ho cake’ covered with a mixture of syrup and butter. 6
I will never forget those good ole days.7
Author notes
The photo...
James Martin (Jack) and Mattie Clifford Tolbird
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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A+
great job...my dear friend
i'll give you an A+ on this one.
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another A+
I commented on this it says 2 days ago....but here goes again..I suppose it's okay to comment on a poem or story more than once... This one conjures up my own childhood memories of my own at Grandma Susie's house in Sterlington...she introduced me to johnnyfair syrup and homemade biscuits...and coffee out of a drip pot..yummmmm
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A+
I love this about remembering the good 'ol days at Grandma's house, my friend. Excellent write, dear friend...
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excelllent
Excellent way of describing & puting into words of a family filled with love & cherrish all the moments of time that this family shared. A Father, Mother & children & Grandparents filled with memories of time gone by.. LOVED IT. -
This was a great story! One that brought back memories for me of my paternal grandparents, whom I only saw a handful of times in my life. But so many things you described here, Leo, were exactly the same when I went to visit them, in Georgia! Life back then (and my memories stem back to the late '50's, and very early '60's) was so much simpler. My grandparents, much like yours, lived on a farm. They were hard working people, with few of the modern conveniences of life at that time. But just like you, we didn't mind! In fact, looking back on those visits, I think it made for the fun that we had while we were there! (We had to use our imaginations, and what was available to us around their farm.) This was a lovely, nostalgic piece; one that I truly hated to see come to a close! (Perhaps you'll consider sharing more of these kinds of stories!)
Paula
Edited on Aug 17, 8:39 p.m. because ''. -
I really enjoyed this and was totally amazed at how similar are backgrounds are. My maturnal grandparents lived on a farm and the meals were huge very much like yours. Nice seeing this little glimpse of you, those times really never leave us do they.
Love it
Red -
I'm jealous of memories such as these, that stand as signposts in our past - pointing the way to those perfect times, when life stood still and let us revel in the pure flavors, smells and feel of traditions we yearn to rediscover throughout our lives.
So well related - in a simple way. Gorgeous just because it is.
Thank you for such a well-worn snapshot from your past. -
Leo you sure brought back lots of memorys for me with this story of the good ol`d days!!I remember my grandparents out house, the before the sun rise breakfast and the long walks to fantasy land! Back when we used our imagination to have fun and didn`t sit around in the house all day. As kids the sotrys on the front porch were so interesting and they would paint the perfect picture while telling us about it. Thanks for the time capsule my friend! xoxox
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This was a nice little poem story to remember your family. It's so beautiful the way you describe everything, and how you let the reader into your world. Very touching. Good Job, Leo.
Rob -
Wow... This is not the first poem I read today about rememebering loved ones. I guess today is remembrance day. Grandparents are the symbol of kindness, affection, love and great meals, you reminded me of my grand mother who was also a great cook. God bless them all on earth or in heaven.
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ooooh... so pretty and visual. i can smell the breakfast... gawd, i need something to eat. I never knew my grands on me dads side either, they died before my parents even met.and my other grandparents live in a log cabin on a farm... this is a good piece because it is so easy to relate to, to let your experiences meld with the readers.
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great
my goodness- this isn't a good story to read while fasting
the food sounds so good and the whole thing sounds so beautiful. i guess things were innocent and fun back then. Grandparents have that effect don't they? they make u feel innocent and make u remember how good things used to be. I'm glad you had this in ur younger days- i had it with my grandmother too- i think she was perhaps the most influential person in my life growing up.
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Stay blessed
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