A Reading - Train 106 and the magical pear tree ©

Train 106 and the Magical Pear Tree

Precious and Painful

As anyone following this blog knows, one of its key components is my mother's stories. This morning I have spent a fair amount of time going through the stories she typed - I still have her journals to complete. From the ones that she typed or handwrote and placed in her blue folder,  I have transcribed six, plus another from one of her many journals. I still have twenty to go, just from the ones she compiled in this folder. I have decided on the one I will transcribe next - it doesn't have a title - so I think I'll call it Train Number 106, maybe just 106.

As I sorted through the stories, some of the things that I hoped would be in there were - Granddaddy's Lost Treasure, Robert Fulton and the Diamond Ring, Granddaddy's stories of those durn little Chickasaws that stayed on the farm and caused mischief, and even one about our dog, Katy.

Suddenly, I was overcome with grief. While I am blessed to have these stories in writing, I will never hear her tell them again - not in person. I do have a video of her telling three. So while this labor of love is absolutely a joy for me in most ways, it also plunges me into the depths of despair.

Mama, you are forever missed and forever loved.

Her Last Ride by Heather Smith ©

Disclaimer: No one was really for digging Grandmama back up, but it's a funny thought - also, my memory is shot to hell - so very little of what I write is historically accurate.

Grandmama picked out her coffin herself- years before it was needed. Nice right? I mean for a coffin. Her funeral was held four years ago today and she is deeply missed. I wrote her obituary myself. But one thing I forgot to mention in that ostentatiously long obituary was her love of luxury cars and her love of travel which I suppose go hand and hand.

Over the weekend, my daughter came down to visit us from Indiana and her grandfather from her dad's side is in the hospital, so we went to see him. In the course of the conversation, Ed and I started talking about how I first came to know the Simpson family. Bryan and Jeff (Jim's brothers) both attended West Charlotte with me and I told Ed I always thought Jeff bought Grandmama's  Chrysler Newport. It was brown with a half leather top, and Jeff bought it just after Grandmama traded her car in. She always drove the "gas guzzlers," that's what Granddaddy called them. He tried to compensate by driving a VW Karmann Ghia. Grandmama had a steady succession of larger and more elaborate cars. With each car she considered quality and style - so too were the choices in her last ride - her beautiful pink coffin- which I am glad she got to pick out herself; nobody had her same sense of sophistication. The last car she drove was a pearl-colored Lincoln Town Car that had a bumper sticker announcing to the world "I'm spending my children's inheritance." Thinking of Jeff made Ed tear up a bit. He passed just a year or two ago now, far too young, and such a sweet person. But like Grandmama, he had a taste for large cars that went fast.

The first car I remember Grandmama having was a red Chrysler of some sort with a black leather half top which fit her perfectly because when I was that little, Grandmama was the age I am now and she dyed her hair jet black and wore shiny red lipstick and nail polish. It struck me how she matched her car. I loved piling in that huge car with my family for a road trip, usually, my Aunt Lillian, Grandmama's sister would be in the passenger seat fiddling with the map. My sister, Pam, my cousin Rachel, and I would sit in the back seat. Actually, back in the 70s, you didn't have to sit in the seat, you could play on the floor or sit looking out the back window making faces at the people behind you, you could lean up into the front or stand if you were still little enough. We had these Tom's Candy containers that had been filled with pixy-stick type candy of grape or orange and the top had a loop in it so you could hang it around your neck, we each had one filled with water around our necks.  Mine was grape-shaped. We went to Orlando and Cape Hatteras both that summer. riding stylishly trying to avoid the smoke pluming from the front seat.  Patsy, Rachel's mom, drove in a separate car with my cousins Tommy and Ronnie. Patsy was the creator and keeper of our itinerary and she made sure we got to see and do it all. Good times.

When Ronnie lived with us in PA for a while his car was on the fritz and he had to drive Grandmama's car everywhere. He told me that he felt like people were staring at him because an old lady belonged in that car. He shouted at one guy "That's right, my grandma loves me!" I'm sure Jeff Simpson did not consider her old car and old lady car, but rather, a muscle car. And even though she drove those tanks she was terrified to drive in the snow. In high school, I worked at the Pennwood Branch Bucks County Free Library. Daddy said I could get a job as long as it was within walking distance of the house, and normally I did walk. One evening, it was snowing pretty badly when I left and the librarians all fussed that I should get a ride home. They were afraid I would slip on those sidewalks. Grandmama came to pick me up and she said: "You know your Grandmama loves you, I would not drive in the snow for many people."

On the day of her funeral, it snowed like crazy, which is unusual for Mississippi. I thought she wanted to see if people loved her enough to drive in the snow. Plenty of people gathered to celebrate her life. The pastor asked the immediate family all up to the front for a family prayer and just as we were finishing the prayer the funeral director asked if we wanted her effects. My dad motioned no as he wiped tears from his eyes. We could not gather at the gravesite for the burial because the ground was frozen and it would take a while for them to inter her. We all went out to lunch as a group - or maybe we went back to Charles' -  I don't really remember - even though she was 98 and I knew she was going to die, it tore me up a lot more than I expected, but anyway we returned to the funeral home from wherever we had been to gather all of the things we had brought for the service to discover that Grandmama had been buried with her glasses and rings on. They said that they could dig her back up to get these belongings. Pam was for it! I thought "Just let her keep her rings." In the end, we decided to let her rest and not disturb her. For me, it would be hard to think of Grandmama without her flashy jewelry. Now my Grandmama rests beside her first husband - I'm sure his coffin is the most basic type, much like his Karmann Ghia, and Grandmama is in her Cadillac of Coffins just to irritate him throughout eternity. Granddaddy even told me once: "The week after I die, she's going to go buy a diamond ring and book a cruise." I don't know about the cruise, but I do know that exactly a week after he died, Pam and I were in the jewelry store with her while she picked out a diamond garter for her engagement ring. She did travel plenty in years following. I for one am happy that Grandmama had a great time spending her children's inheritance. For a kid who grew up in the depression, she really got to experience a lot.

I wish I could go out with her just one more time to her favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoy a jumbo margarita with her right now.


Grandmama's Obituary:

Virginia Fears Pierce Keys, 98, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2016, at Sunrise on Providence in Charlotte. Virginia Lorene Fears was born on December 11, 1917, in Monroe County, Mississippi to Lena Mundy and James Henry Fears. Virginia had 2 older sisters, Glen and Lillian, two older brothers, Ira and Norval, and two little brothers, Rubel and Charles. She was an excellent student, but she always loved to socialize and her grades could suffer as a result. She graduated from high school in June 1935. She had already met her future husband at a dance. Virginia married Erie Fleedon Pierce on October 19, 1935, in Mississippi when she was 17 years old. They moved to St. Louis where Erie had accepted a job at Monsanto. There they had their first child; James Eric was born on February 23, 1940. Virginia’s husband pursued a military career which took them to California. Their son Ronald David was born on September 21, 1943. Erie left for the war shortly after Ron was born. Virginia moved back to Amory, MS while Erie was overseas. She was there with her boys for three years. When Erie returned, he was stationed in many places – the last of which was Boston. Virginia became an Assistant for the Promotions Division of Electronic Corporation of America-Combustion Control from February 4, 1954 – May 2, 1958. She had a stellar work record and was considered an indispensable employee. She resigned when Erie retired from the Army and got his Master’s Degree. He pursued a teaching career and took the family back to Mississippi. In addition to her work in Boston, Virginia helped her husband run an ice cream parlor, a car wash, and two motels. She had a head for business. In 1960, they moved to Memphis where they could be close to their grandson, Ron Jr. Virginia kept Ron Jr. while his mother was working. She loved being “Grandmama.” Virginia lost her mother and husband within months of each other in 1979. Her husband, Erie Fleedon, passed away on May 23, 1979, in Amory at the age of 69. They had been married for 43 years. They lived in a penthouse at the beach at the time of his passing, and the hotel sold for enough to keep her comfortable for the rest of her life. Virginia moved to England for a year with her brother, Rubel, shortly after Erie died. There she made some lifelong friends. Upon her return to the States, her son, Ric, had been called back to active duty. She moved in with Pam, her granddaughter, in order that Pam could graduate with the people she had gone to school with all of her life. After Pam graduated, Ric moved Virginia, Pam, and Heather to Pennsylvania. The time the four of them spent together in PA would be cherished by all parties. Her grandson, Ron Jr., came to live there for a time, as well. Her bond with these three grandchildren was more similar to a mother than a grandmother. At age 69, Virginia took a cruise with the retired officer’s club. On the cruise, she met Charles Travis Keys. He was also from Mississippi. He was a Navy Pilot in WWII and a bona fide rocket scientist. They had seven happy years together before he passed away on April 10, 1994, in Ocala, Florida, at the age of 73. Virginia continued to travel after Charlie died and she enjoyed her home in Ocala. She was a Charter member of Ocala West UMC and a strong supporter of the Republican Party. She lived on her own until age 87. She then went to live in NC with her son, Ric. She remained in his home for two years before going into assisted living; she had been in Alzheimer’s Care for two years when she died. Virginia was generous, fun, accepting, and elegant. She lived a good life and enriched the lives of those she touched. She is survived by two sons, Ric and Ron Pierce; six grandchildren, Ron Pierce, Jr., Pamela Hausle, Heather Smith, Erika Tucker, Lesley Murphy, and Loren Pierce; and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Fears (Darlene). Her Funeral Service will be held at 10:45 AM, Friday, January 22, 2016, at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, with The Reverend Dr. Larry Kay Hardesty officiating. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 – 10:40 AM, Friday at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be shared with family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.

Leaving Pennsylvania by Heather Smith ©

Geoff Hansell and Heather Pierce at the wedding of Charlie and Ginny (Virginia Pierce) Keys

So, this blog is supposed to have a schedule - which I abandoned for a while to get some of Mama's stories typed up for my aunt. Today is supposed to be about my Pierce grandparents - and I think this is the most shocking thing Grandmama ever did to me. I really could not believe she just left me alone in the hospital.

I was a pretty sick kid the whole time we lived in PA, but especially the last two years - which were the same years I dated Geoff Hansell and attended Bucks County Community College. I was in and out of this hospital called St. Mary's. I remember being on the phone with Geoff one night when I was 19. Daddy and I were living in the condo at Tarrytown Estates together - just the two of us. My grandmother had married Charles Travis Keys, a bona fide rocket scientist, and moved away to Top of the World retirement community in Ocala, Florida. My sister had run off with a towny she met at Centenary College in NJ and they were living in Greely, Colorado where they presumably attended the University of Northern Colorado. My mother lived in NC and taught at UNC Charlotte.

Daddy decided that he was going to get me well by feeding me. He made a big batch of pierogies and baked some frozen stuffed clams. I ate it greedily and promptly threw up my toes. I went upstairs and called Geoff. "I haven't kept anything down for four days," I confessed. "I'm afraid to tell Daddy because he'll make me go to the hospital." Geoff replied, "Heather, if you haven't kept anything down for four days, maybe you should be in the hospital." I knew he was right.  So I went downstairs and leveled with Daddy about what was going on with me. He looked so sad, but snapped immediately into action and told me to get a bag packed because I might be in the hospital for a while.

As luck would have it, Grandmama was still in town for the last week of summer before Charlie's grandkids all had to go back to school. She and Charlie were going to be around for the next few weeks. I got admitted to St. Mary's and Daddy had to leave for Wisconsin where he was doing some sort of training mission with the Army Reserves.

I shared a room with some lady. While I was trying to go to sleep I could hear a noise like someone shaking a jar filled with marbles. Grumpily, I yelled, "Quit playing with your marbles, lady!" The next day, she asked for a room transfer. Apparently, I had offended her while she was praying on her rosary. I didn't even know what a rosary was at that point in my life.  But at least I had the room to myself for the duration of my stay. Grandmama came in my room and gave me a twenty. She said that she and Charlie had to go back to Florida, there was a ball with the lodge that they had already paid for and she didn't want to miss it. She gave me Charlie's daughter's number and money for a cab so I could get home since no member of my family was within 600 miles of the hospital. I couldn't believe she was leaving. But then, yes, I could.

I was released two days later and took a cab home. It was two days before my twentieth birthday. I got home to the empty condo and the next day Daddy came home. He decided we needed to do something special for my twentieth, especially, since I had plans to move back to NC the following week to go to UNCC. Daddy, Kim, and Geoff took me out to dinner in New Hope.  We had a lovely time looking at the shops and eating outside. I wore my leopard print mini skirt with matching halter and black heels. Somewhere, I have a picture of it. I knew this would be one of my last times with Geoff in New Hope. Maybe the last time. He would never move to NC, and I had made up my mind that April when I went to  Tyler State Park with John Rich, Kurt Myers, and some others from my youth group that I would go home to NC and never live in PA again as I watched them cross the frozen creek in April. In April!

I still had a problem. My birthday is on August 18. Classes started on August 26. I still didn't know how I was going to move to NC. Daddy couldn't take me, he had several speaking engagements scheduled. Mama was getting ready for classes. Geoff mentioned to me that Al, Geoff's best friend, and his fiance had called things off that night when we were in New Hope. Al owned a van.

The next day, I called Al and asked him if he would drive me to NC. He had the time off - it would have been the week of his honeymoon. He agreed to take me, but first, my dad wanted to meet him. Al was - well he still is - half Japanese and half American. He agreed to come to meet Daddy, he said before I left he would take me out to a real Japanese Restaurant. Daddy just loved him, he has such good manners and deferred to Daddy in a way Geoff never did. He had Geoff meet us at his house after our sumptuous meal. Geoff and I said our goodbyes and he sped away upset in his huge yellow Caprice Classic; we had some good times in that car.  I was upset but also excited because a new chapter in my life would start tomorrow.

Al came early the next morning to pick me up. All of my stuff - including my stereo - fit neatly in the back of the van with room to spare. Al was, of course, devastated because his fiance had called things off. We spent the entire trip listening to Shattered Dreams by Johny Hates Jazz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctwqa3QCwMw

But we still managed to have a good time. We had always had a good friendship and it was therapeutic to talk about our ended relationships. Somewhere near Fredericksburg, we were supposed to pick up I-85. We got incredibly lost on a crossroads. We laughed hysterically at nothing. We went all three wrong directions before finally getting turned around the right way and picking up 85. We stopped at the first Cracker Barrel I ever ate at and that made us a lot less punchy. I don't think either one of us slept the night before. I was worried about Geoff and wishing there were a way we could work it out. But, let's face it, the biggest success factor in a relationship is close proximity.

Al and I finally arrived in Charlotte around 9PM - about 4 hours later than we should have been there. Mama greeted us. And Al and I began to unload the van into my new apartment - the other half of my mom's duplex. The first thing Al wanted to do the next morning was to drive to Monroe, NC, where his biological father owned a golf course. We got there and we just drove by it, I thought we were going to go in so he could meet his dad, but I guess it was too painful. We went back to Charlotte and stopped at Eastland Mall. We had lunch in Annabelle's and then went to the theater to see Cocktail. It was a nice, feel-good, summer movie. Some guy hit on me while Al was buying popcorn. It did wonders for my ego.

The next day, Al got locked into the apartment. He was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him. Mama was taking me to register for classes. She had to go to her office anyway and the line at the Belk Gymnasium was about a three-hour wait. She said for me to meet her back at the office when I was done. I got all finished by around noon and walked back to her office in the Garinger Building. When we drove into the driveway Al was pressing his nose against the window and he was completely freaked out. Mama said she'd make it up to him. That evening she took us to walk around First Ward. We had a great time at Rosemary's bookshop, which was called Poplar Street Books. Al and Rosemary had a nice chat about her architectural section and Al bought a book as a souvenir. Then we went to eat at Alexander Michael's, which was just a few doors down. The next morning Al left early and I got used to living in Charlotte with my mother again pretty quickly. I didn't realize how much I had missed everything until I was gone for four years.

Here's to Charlotte.