My Grandma: A Lesson in Genes

My grandma; it's complicated. If I weren't so much like her, I might not understand her as much as I do. Genetics are funny, aren't they?

I have written about many of my family members over the last several years, and while I have mentioned my grandma in a few posts, I haven't written much about her; and I'll tell you why.

Writing about my grandma is like writing about me and my deepest, darkest self; and that's hard. We're both often misunderstood; we can be very giving, loving and kind, but we can also be mean, bitter and hurtful. Much of the time our intentions are well-intended, but not always.

My grandma and I have always been close in ways; there were times that she hurt my feelings over the years, and I'm sure there have been times that I hurt her feelings, but we always forgive, but not forget, and move on.

During my college years, I was only a two hour drive away from her, and I made that drive fairly often. It was at this time that I had some of my best visits with her. That's also when our relationship changed; I was no longer a little girl. My grandma didn't feel that she had to instruct me and guide me; she became more relaxed and shared more and laughed more.

I get my writing prowess from her {and her son, my dad}, as well as my love of words and books; my eye for creating beautiful spaces; my expensive taste; my love of animals; my need to control things; and my ability to cut to the bone with just a few lightning quick, sharp-as-daggers words.

Often, it seems, that the traits that you hope stay put get passed along generation after generation; just a bit more diluted with each generation. Perhaps it's our gifts and faults that haven't been fully realized that keep re-surfacing, a kind of reincarnation of our selves. None of us are perfect, and there is no better lesson than to see another's fault and know that it's also your fault.

I'm proud of my grandma. She won't be intimidated; she speaks her mind; she gives; she lives her life each day; she's funny and witty; she still strives to learn and do and be. See the resemblance? Over and out....

Anna

Comments

[Julie H]

I love seeing a picture of your Grandma. It has been forever. It makes me miss my Nanny so much. One of the things I love about you is how straight forward you are!

[Chris]

I think that one of the ways we are evolving, as a species, is that we are becoming better at recognizing what we "inherit", owning it, and deciding for ourselves that we have choices in keeping or changing those tendencies. Kudos to you for recognizing the good and not-so-good!