funny how it comes
In talking with my friend Vicky last week while on a hike, she recounted how when someone offered her a peanut butter banana sandwich, her heart warmed with thoughts of her grandpa and how they used to sit and eat those together. We then talked about how memories come at the funniest times, and how they become happy memories instead of sudden pings of grief.
Tonight I was clipping my toenails in preparation for a home pedicure. I haven't gone to the nail salons much since the nightmare infections that have plagued them around here.
I remembered showing my Grandpa my toes after a pedi appointment with Grandma.
"You know, Grandpa, you might want to consider getting pedicures."
"What? Now, why would I go and do a thing like that... pedicures... harupmf!"
"Well, see... it's not so easy for you to get to your toes, right? Your back bugs you, your eyes aren't as good at seeing everything. Also, with the diabetes, someone else can see better how your feet are doing, and can be sure to massage them gently and take good care of you."
*silence with a "you out yer god-damned-mind, child" stare*
"Ok Grandpa, it's just a thought of how you can take good care of you."
"Geeee-ack..." Rolling his eyes and shaking his head he walked away from me with my pretty toes.
After Grandpa passed away, Grandma let me know that after my visit, he did call her manicurist. He did make appointments for pedicures. He went religiously for his bi-weekly pedicure. He would meet the manicurist early and she would open up shop early and complete his pedicure before any other appointments would come.
I found myself laughing to myself while grabbing my nail polish from the medicine cabinet.
So stubborn, but he listened, and it made sense to him. I am my grandfather's granddaughter