Monday, February 27, 2012

Words of Wisdom

My Nana was one cool lady.  An Air Force wife, she lived all over the world, working as a volunteer nurse and substitute mom for those men who needed a warm meal and a place to feel at home on Sunday afternoons.  She navigated her life as if she were in a tank, plowing over any obstacles in her path.  Even when the Alzheimer's got really bad, and her stories became more and more outrageous, she was always the hero of those stories.  I loved her to pieces.

One of the best things about Nana is that she always gave it to you straight.  Oh, didn't you like what she had to say?  Then you shouldn't have asked, dummy.  So a couple of years ago, when I was agonizing over whether or not to move to Chicago, I asked her for some advice.  She gave me words to live by, Nana-style:

"Suck it up.  You're a Gardner."

Damn skippy I am.


What's your last name?  Because Bud would like to borrow it for a while.  Just for ten, fifteen years or so.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like my Grandma. I miss her lots.

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  2. Me too. I've got so many great stories from her, though... Like the time she goosed the doctor in the ER because she thought he was being to serious...

    Some people you lose, and thinking of them makes you sad. Nana was one of those people who, thinking of her now, makes me grin. And that's pretty awesome.

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  3. Me too. But it makes me laugh and cry at the same time. Love, sis

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    1. Yeah, there might be a few tears mixed in there...

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  4. She sounds wonderful.

    By the way, even though I live in Texas, now I feel GUILTY because I can't give Bud my last name. Damnit.

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    1. So you're telling me I ought to start looking at adoptable dogs in Texas? :D

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    2. Actually, I'm already doing that. But I have to save up the pet deposit first. Then I'm goint to make my rich brother buy me a Yorkie.
      Although, I met a dog today that was really gorgeous and is up for adoption, but she's too big. Not to mention that I've only saved $20 of the $300 deposit. But, I did get to pet her for a good long while, that was really nice.
      (I want to adopt every single dog that you picture on here, actually.)

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    3. That makes two of us. Good luck on the deposit--some dog is going to be really lucky to have you!

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