“The secret life” has been a rejoinder between Laura and me
for the last six months. Emptying the trash one evening, she spied an empty
Panera coffee cup. “What’s this!? When did you go there!? I didn’t know about
it!”
“The secret life of grandma,” I replied.
Since then, if she knows, she smugly remarks she knows about
the secret life of grandma. But, if she doesn’t know, she sets about finding
out. Toward that end, I try to leave a clue about new secrets.
Today I met a new acquaintance for lunch, and
told myself to bring back a napkin or some such thing for a trash clue.
Lynn is not so much a new acquaintance. We’ve sat beside
each other for months, waiting for our respective one p.m. counselor
appointments. We get on so well for ten minutes every other Wednesday, we
decided to go to lunch. And so we did, today.
We discovered in short order, we grew up on North Hill in
Akron. My sister and I often remarked how often children who grew up on the
hill moved back as adults, as Lynn had done. North Hill is big enough to have
three elementary schools, a junior and a senior high, so being from the hill
doesn’t equate to being from the neighborhood.
Lynn, though, grew up on the third street behind me. She’s
six years younger, and I didn’t remember her, so I asked if she knew my sister,
Janice Lytle. “L-y-t-l-e,?”, she asked. “Was Melvin Lytle your brother? I still
have the love letter he wrote me in fifth grade!”
The restaurant closes at two, and they sort of boosted us
out, so we’ll pick this up another time. And, I forgot to bring home a clue. So, let's not mention this until next time.
Easter, about 1955
My brother Walt, me, mom, Mel,
and Janice, the baby who can't lift Mom's purse.
I've used this picture before, and sub-titled Jan as the one who never was spanked.
"the secret life of grandma"... I like that! And isn't it interesting when you find someone that has a connection to your own life that you never knew? (That might be what attracts me about genealogy - untold stories and all that?)
ReplyDeleteI love this "secret life" you have. And what fun to share it with your granddaughter this way. Sounds like maybe you have found a friend for life. Isn't it amazing the things we find in common with perfect strangers?
ReplyDeleteThe secret life of grandma sounds like a fun way to strengthen the bond between you and your granddaughter. But I hope you have a few secrets to keep to yourself.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute picture of your growing up days! I love this little game you are playing with Laura in your secret life. Sounds like a fun luncheon too with a new friend who I think is going to be a lifelong friend!
ReplyDeletebetty
I like the idea of Grandmas having a secret life even if I'll never be a grandma, I can still live vicariously through others.
ReplyDeleteHari om
ReplyDeleteWho needs school reunions when you've got counsellors and secret living??! What a delicious post ,Joanne... and looking foeward to an update! YAM xx
So glad you had a happy experience. 'Bout time!!!
ReplyDeleteWe all need a secret life,
ReplyDeleteMerle.........
I like your young sleuth, so surprised that grandmas might have secret lives...
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to have a detective in the family. And how wonderful to find a new friend with memories you can both share.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post
ReplyDeleteMe too Joanne. Unfortunately, I can't let my kids know my secrets. ;) I did tell my granddaughter a few and she began saying,"tell me more things when you were young, Nonna". I was asked not to tell her any more things by her parents.
ReplyDeleteLeaving clues for Laura is a great idea. It's nice that the two of you have this special connection.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
small world. and what fun for Laura to investigate the secret life of grandma.
ReplyDeleteit is good to have a secret life. Great Easter picture.
ReplyDeleteOk, just between us geezers, what were you doing, say, between '67 and '72........
ReplyDeleteI had a war to protest back then! Oh, yea, and working.
ReplyDeleteSecret life is a good thing, sometimes!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to have a shared game, and Laura sounds quick with the clues! I wonder what she would think if you started playing "the secret life of granddaughter" though? ...
ReplyDeleteOn meeting someone new, my father usually asked "now who was your father/mother?" within the first five minutes. As I get older, I understand why. I've discovered more connections that way.
I love the story about your brother's love letter! Is she going to bring it next time?
A lovely meeting..and good to find more connections.
ReplyDeleteSecret life of Grandma! That would make a great title for compilations from grandmas all around.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Susan Kane, The Secret Life of Grandma should be a book of short stories from Grandmas all over.
ReplyDeleteLove this❣️I thought I was pretty good with secrets, but eventually they seem to be revealed. Your secret life of Grandma is worth copying. Linda@Wetcreek Blog
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute post.
ReplyDeleteThe secret life of grandma, indeed! It's good to be mysterious ;-)
What a great photo. Were you dressed for Church or a wedding ?
ReplyDeleteI love the secret life of grandma with little clues.
We find out often that there really is such a thing as six degrees of separation, only in your case, there is only two.
ReplyDeleteI love your secret games with Laura.
What a coincidence. Small world.
ReplyDeleteI love this post, too, Joanne. I think though that most of my secrets are not for telling!
ReplyDeleteYes, there are secrets and there are secrets.
DeleteNothing stirs memories like an old photograph does it?
ReplyDeleteLove it and I think your granddaughter does too. Nice that you've got a new friend...that's often harder to do as one gets older.
ReplyDeleteSmall world!
ReplyDeleteI love the "secret life" game! I kind of want to know about the secret life of Melvin. I wonder what it will take to get a look at that love letter.
ReplyDelete