My Grandmother

Fourth of July makes me think of fireworks, hot dogs and The Star-Spangled Banner. I mean, it makes me think of other things too, but these are the first three that come to mind. My dad's mom, Grandma A, is what comes to mind next. She was a funny lady. Funny in habits, funny in how she said certain words, funny in what she ate - don't get me started on pickled eggs - but one area that she wasn't funny in was how proud she was of her grandchildren.

I was/am a singer. When I was in high school I sometimes would sing the National Anthem at basketball games. Now let me tell you, I only nailed it about half the time. I have no idea why they kept asking me to do it given my poor success rate. The problem for me is that I change key a lot when I sing. A Lot. So while I would sing the correct notes they would be in the wrong key. And I'd change multiple times through the course of this one song. I don't think any other song has ever given me the trouble The Star-Spangled Banner has.

Regardless of my pitchiness, my key changes or my plan bad days, I would go over to Grandma's before the game and sing it for her. Because she always told me how "bee-you-tee-full" I sounded, warts and all. I miss her during all the big moments of life, but especially on July 4th.

Thanks, Shell, for letting me pour my heart out.