A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Here is the bandstand at Lord's Park.
This is Labor Day weekend. I remember one Labor Day back in the 40's. I was to spend it with my Grandma. She lived in a gray stucco house on the east side of town. We lived on the west. My Mom put me on the bus and told the bus driver to be sure to have me get off downtown. In those days we got a transfer and could get on a different bus and not have to pay. There were llittle side seats up by the driver where I was supposed to sit. I was to wait at the shoe store and look for my next bus...get on it and tell the driver what street I wanted to get off at. My Grandma would be there waiting. I was a very small child, but in those days you could do that. When we got to Grandma's street...there she was in her housedress, apron, her hanky flaired in her pocket, her stout black lace up shoes, and her purse. We hugged...nothing like hugging a plump Grandma. We proceeded on to her house just down and across the street. This was to be a special weekend. We were going to our town's wonderful Lord's Park. Grandma's Methodist Church was having a gathering at the above pavillion to have a picnic lunch. We had fried chicken, potato salad, and the works. I don't remember what we brought, but it had to be easy to carry, as we had to walk there, not having a car. The picnic was part of the Labor Day festivities, so there were a lot of people there. The pavillion had a wrap around porch which was filled. The people spread out their picnics on the lawn. I can't remember anyone in chairs. The ladies dressed in their dresses. Lots of kids running around...probably getting into trouble. This pavillion looked out over a wonderful lagoon. Beautiful but wicked swans swam back and forth. I say wicked because once in a while they were known to attack people...especially when they were nesting. In the middle of the lagoon was a band shell. There was an old fashioned band playing traditional patriotic music. To me they sounded like the Boston Pops. Isn't it funny how sometimes your memories of the past make things seem better than they really were? We had a wonderful time together that day. I didn't go to many places with my Grandma...she was a stay at home woman..always busy, but that particular Labor Day was spent with me at the pavillion.

Balisha

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely way to spend Labor Day weekend. It is nice that you have all those wonderful holiday memories of your grandmother.

Balisha said...

Hi PG,
Sometims I write things here so that my kids can read what went on in my lifetime. You talk to your family, but everything is so fast now...no one really takes the time to hear it all.I wish that I had something written from my parents about their lives growing up.Dad and Grandpa wrote poetry and I cherish those. I love remembering the past, but I am really a now person not living in the past....just on special days remembering.

my passion said...

Dear Balisha,

Thanks for leaving your comments. I hope you'll have a great weekend and thanks for sharing the beautiful memories.

Re: I love folk art painting. Since last month I managed to bring in a teacher to teach me and a few friends in my house. I find it very interesting.

You are rignt, it's fun to decorate your home with things that you have painted. By the way..hows your water color and collage class getting on..

Love,
Zeq

Balisha said...

Hi Zeq,
I haven't started the class yet. I paid for the classes and am waiting to see if they had enough people for the class. I should know in a day or two.I have wanted to start water color, but not sure how to do it. It's better for me...that I have someone show me. Teachers always can give you tips on how to do a better job. The first class is supposed to be on the 7th of Sept. Hope your weekend is nice.
Balisha

OhioMom said...

What a lovely memory, thank you so much for sharing with us. I went to a big band concert with my in-laws at Lakewood Park (right on Lake Erie) in the mid 60's ... the sounds were something I remember to this day.

Judy said...

This is such a wonderful memory to have tucked away in your heart of you and your grandma. Thanks for sharing it. I never knew my grandparents on either side of the family. That is one reason I am trying so hard to be a good grandma myself. Have a great week.

Balisha said...

Good morning,
Happy Labor day. I used to love band concerts.A simple pleasure in the summer.

Judy,
Seeing the delight in Thomas Wyatt's face tells me that you must be a great Grandma.