A lesson learned from ‘Palsy’

Posted 4/30/15

To the Editor:

Thanks to my serendipitous good fortune, I had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable woman recently. We both happened to be at a farewell party given for her grandson, his wife and …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

A lesson learned from ‘Palsy’

Posted

To the Editor:

Thanks to my serendipitous good fortune, I had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable woman recently. We both happened to be at a farewell party given for her grandson, his wife and their newborn baby, who were relocating out of the country on business.

As I am sometimes shy at social events, I was introduced to a smartly dressed 77-year-young lady with sparkling blue eyes and a ready smile. She and her daughter both made me feel totally at ease as we discussed travel, current events, etc.

The new baby was being passed around to many anxious admirers, and we commented on all the new gadgetry and equipment available to parents in this day and age. We reminisced about how things were when we were bringing up our children.

As we were talking, a beautiful little girl of about 5 arrived at the party with her family. She went right up to her great-grandmother (the subject of my story), kissed her and said, “Hi Palsy!” (like pal). I was struck with the intimacy and caring with which these two greeted each other. It was clearly a mutual admiration society.

I went on to learn that this great-grandmother took care of the child sometimes after school. They were busy with many activities, but one in particular that they really enjoyed was making a lemon-meringue pie for her dad. She had her own little apron and was taught how to roll out a piecrust and flute the edges. Flour was everywhere, but that was not a big concern; the important thing was that this great-granddaughter felt so loved and cared for and so proud of her finished product (which her daddy loved). I hope some day she will realize how lucky she was to have a woman in her life so full of joy and warmth, with only her best interest at heart.

Sometimes I meet people who have a profound effect on me and I feel the need to write about them. Older people are so wise, they can teach us many lessons. That day I learned that the important thing about being with our children and grandchildren is to really be with them, focus on them, teach and guide them with love. It doesn’t matter how much flour was on the floor, or how many eggs got broken, or if the pie shell cracked. What matters is the self-esteem and sense of accomplishment this young girl walked away with. If only all children could be so lucky.

Mary Ellen Lukasiewicz

Cumberland

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here