The Notebook

Here's something annoying about me: I am one of those types who has a place for everything. If you move something an inch from where it "belongs," there is a 100% chance that I will notice.

Without fail, every visit I make home, I notice that something always shifts around, is added to, or is taken away from my bedroom in my parents' home. (Note that I know, I know--it's their house, and they can move things around as they see fit.) But that is why I immediately eagle-eyed an old yellowing notebook sitting on my bookshelf when I walked in last week.

Come to find out, my mom had placed it there for me. When I opened it, the pages were filled with pressed plants and flowers along with their scientific names and the dates and locations of where they were all found. It was from 1931, and it was clearly someone's school assignment. And because of the handwritten notes, I knew exactly whose it was: my Grannie's.

You might remember that I wrote about this same little lady back in January, right after she passed away. Last Tuesday would have actually been her birthday. Needless to say, it was an interesting time to reconnect with her like this.

I loved reading every word of it. But you know what really struck me? That it's strange to see the handwriting of someone I remember from her 60s to her 90s as the handwriting of someone in her teens. I guess it's just a good reminder that my grandmother had a life well before meeting me. Or my mom. Or my uncles. Or my grandfather.

I think Gran would have appreciated that I noticed.

(P.S. I love how she wrote her name on this last page--the writing goes from small to large to larger. This isn't how she signed it normally; it's the signature of Lucille the student saying, "Praise Jesus, I am DONE with this project. W-H-E-W!)

Comments

[Susan]

Grannie would be so proud of you and thrilled that you share her joy of writing.

[Jorge]

Such an original and touching story. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!

[Guerrin]

Wow, this is incredible! Really awesome.

[Karen]

This is so facinating - a surprise treat into the life of someone you knew only after they had lived a full, blessed life. I don't even think I have something of my own from those years of my life, so I'm going to do my very best to keep many of little Mason's treasures starting now! One day he (or his grandchildren) will enjoy them as much as you enjoyed Grannie's assignment. :)

[nichole]

Amy, this is the coolest treasure ever. What a gift! Wow.