So moving. Nana passed when I was quite small, but the thing I actually remember is her always giving me quarters and dimes. I thought they were fun and shiny things to add to my toy that looked like a see-through ATM, because even 25 years ago a quarter would get you approximately one half a dust bunny, but I now know that to her younge…
So moving. Nana passed when I was quite small, but the thing I actually remember is her always giving me quarters and dimes. I thought they were fun and shiny things to add to my toy that looked like a see-through ATM, because even 25 years ago a quarter would get you approximately one half a dust bunny, but I now know that to her younger self that would have been an extraordinary thing to be given out of the blue.
She also carefully took off the wrapping paper from gifts, rather than tearing it. She wanted to save it for later. The things those people then had to do is so beyond my experience, in a lucky way.
My aunt, who churned butter (she and my uncle had a small house that he built on a few acres of the farm she grew up on), always kept gift wrap for next presents. Now my daughter does also.
Oh, keeping it is definitely the thing to do that would most align with my values otherwise. But since I am thankfully always with family on Christmas, I would get the dagger stares for daring to slow down the process of voracious ripping and tossing that is standard there. So I have compartmentalized this one wasteful thing as allowed under the same "holiday exception" that allows - nay, requires! - me to eat garbage nostalgia candy because "Santa" left it in the stockings.
Your Nana was born three years ahead of my Dad (my folks were old when they had kids; my Dad was 41 when I was born, Mom was 36, and I'm the first born). Both my folks were depression era kids. We saved wrapping paper, monitored coffee consumption, and some other depression-era carryovers.
When they were courting, my Dad would arrive to the diner first, and order a cup of coffee. He'd drink it, and Mom would drink the refill, thus avoiding a penny tax on the coffee. Mom always tipped the extra penny.
That says everything about your Mom's character, I think. Saving a penny for the express purpose of giving it away immediately. Speaks volumes.
It also speaks to the level of trust in their relationship. I have yet to meet anyone on Earth I would drink out of the same cup directly after. But that's my issues talking lol.
Thank you Will for the reminder that my Grandma would always give me a quarter when I saw her during my younger years. After reading what Jim posted, I will remember her in a different way now.
So moving. Nana passed when I was quite small, but the thing I actually remember is her always giving me quarters and dimes. I thought they were fun and shiny things to add to my toy that looked like a see-through ATM, because even 25 years ago a quarter would get you approximately one half a dust bunny, but I now know that to her younger self that would have been an extraordinary thing to be given out of the blue.
She also carefully took off the wrapping paper from gifts, rather than tearing it. She wanted to save it for later. The things those people then had to do is so beyond my experience, in a lucky way.
My aunt, who churned butter (she and my uncle had a small house that he built on a few acres of the farm she grew up on), always kept gift wrap for next presents. Now my daughter does also.
It’s an ecological move .
Oh, keeping it is definitely the thing to do that would most align with my values otherwise. But since I am thankfully always with family on Christmas, I would get the dagger stares for daring to slow down the process of voracious ripping and tossing that is standard there. So I have compartmentalized this one wasteful thing as allowed under the same "holiday exception" that allows - nay, requires! - me to eat garbage nostalgia candy because "Santa" left it in the stockings.
Ain't that the truth. Book of LifeSavers, anyone?
Your Nana was born three years ahead of my Dad (my folks were old when they had kids; my Dad was 41 when I was born, Mom was 36, and I'm the first born). Both my folks were depression era kids. We saved wrapping paper, monitored coffee consumption, and some other depression-era carryovers.
When they were courting, my Dad would arrive to the diner first, and order a cup of coffee. He'd drink it, and Mom would drink the refill, thus avoiding a penny tax on the coffee. Mom always tipped the extra penny.
That says everything about your Mom's character, I think. Saving a penny for the express purpose of giving it away immediately. Speaks volumes.
It also speaks to the level of trust in their relationship. I have yet to meet anyone on Earth I would drink out of the same cup directly after. But that's my issues talking lol.
Probably where my sister gets her generosity as well.
Thank you Will for the reminder that my Grandma would always give me a quarter when I saw her during my younger years. After reading what Jim posted, I will remember her in a different way now.