BECOMING MY GRANDMOTHER

 As we age it is not uncommon for us to notice we are becoming our parents.  Women their mothers and men their fathers.  My mother died when I was a young teen so I really don't have strong memories about her personality or traits.  When you are quite young she is just Mommy but in teenage, you try to distance yourself from your parents.

But the other day, I realized I am becoming my paternal Grandmother. I skipped a generation.  Oh, I will never become the classy lady she was but I did relive one of her unhappiest moments. 

We called her Mama Fannie.  Ok all you Brits can quit laughing or gasping for I do know what Fannie means slang wise across the pond. I am just so glad she never knew the slang term for her name referenced female genitalia. She would have been mortified. Her name was actually short for Frances.

Anyway, my grandmother was one of the most proper and put together women I have ever met. However that wasn't what I noticed that was similar about us recently.  Mama Fannie was always ready for company, a photograph, church or to meet the Queen. She never left her room unless she was fully clothed, hair all in place and makeup, subtle but there. I don't think she owned a robe or a house dress.

Fifty years ago, she had me on the floor laughing. She was telling me about her most horrifying experience. She was visiting family in Miami when her niece invited her to go shopping.  It wasn't till she was walking through Macys that she realized she had somehow left the house without her girdle.  She said, "Patti, it was a nightmare. Everything was jiggling. It was horrible. I just knew everyone could tell."

Now we were in a girdle generation at that time. Even as a young fit woman I wore one to work at the bank. Besides tucking everything in, they held up our hose. Still I couldn't imagine being embarrassed going  without a girdle. Then this week happened. 

Don't know about you ladies but thanks to covid, I have been mostly braless for  a couple of years. Ahhhh. Early this week I had a doctor's appointment for routine blood work. I was halfway to town when I realized---I was braless. Yikes, I didn't have time to turn around and finish dressing for I'd be late.  So I thought maybe I could pull this off.  I'm not big busted but now thanks to age and a couple of years braless, I resemble those bare chested Pygmy women in National Geographic of years ago. Sigh. The girls tend to swing low and freely.  

I slung my purse across my chest and pulled my shirt away from me with my hand and settled in. Made it--almost. I was sitting in the waiting room when a guy friend I haven't seen in years came in.  No way to avoid the big hug. He did give me a strange look afterwards but said nothing. Phew.

That was when Mama Fannie came to mind. "Sorry I laughed at you," was the thought I sent towards the heavens.  I am sure she was laughing as hard on her cloud as I had that day 50 years ago. Sigh, karma may take her time but she is patient and will get you eventually.

Hum, wonder if it is too late to work on being put together like her?  Naw, way too late:)

Ever find yourself becoming your parent or grandparent?