When I think of Hallowe’en, several images enter my mind: trick or treating in costume, scary stories, and spirits of the deceased. “All Hallows’ Eve,” known as Hallowe’en brings to mind my loved ones who are now deceased and this is the topic which most intrigues me. There could certainly be a scary element in these thoughts. For example, I often dream of family members who are deceased. My grandmother was one of them.
My grandma Minnie was a diminutive white-haired woman who lived into her 90’s. She and Grandpa Van lived only several houses away from us for most of my youth. She dipped snuff! She and Grandpa chewed tobacco. There was always a “spit cup” nearby which was usually a tin can with label removed just for that purpose. Her hair was long and she kept it put up in a bun. I am told that in her youth her hair was chestnut-colored. At one time she was blind due to cataracts; but when I came along she was sighted and wore wire-rimmed glasses. She also wore an apron which she only removed if having her picture taken or at bedtime.
Grandma could cook! She made what she called “hoe cake” which was a type of fried bread. My sister Betty and I used to get her extra breakfast biscuits and bacon sandwiches. She flavored much of their food with bacon drippings. She made the best goat butter from their pet goat.
When I entered her house, I could usually hear her humming. My father said that she and Grandpa enjoyed singing, as did he. She always had flowers growing near her doors. I especially remember some violet ones by the front door.
As a young woman, she picked cotton. One of my cherished memories of Grandpa and Grandma together was when I was a teenager. I entered the door and saw my elderly grandparents holding hands! What a shock that was to me.
One of the most unusual things about Grandma was her way with birds. I watched her on numerous occasions carry bread crumbs outside, hold out her hands, and birds would come get the food from her hands! Observing this phenomenon, I guess it is easy to accept that two of my brothers, Rip and Ollie, actually hand-fed wild squirrels.
So, how does this fit in with Hallowe’en? Some thirty years ago, I dreamed that Grandma Minnie stood in front of me and admonished me saying, “You are forgetting me!.” So this is my tribute to my wonderful, loving, unique grandmother to show I have not and will not forget her. This is appropriate at “All Hallow’s Eve”--Hallowe’en. Don’t get me wrong, I also like dressing in costume, receiving treats, and scary stories. It’s just that I want to keep her memory alive in writing – especially because I don’t want her to come to me in a dream again to accuse me of forgetting her. Maybe now if I dream of Grandma it will be of her humming or feeding the birds.
Discussions: What are some of your favorite Hallowe’en memories? What does Hallowe’en mean to you? Do you know the history behind the holiday?