A group made up of households where heads claim descent from a common ancestor.
Remembering our grandparents brings forth several adjectives; prideful, honorable and loving. Grandpa excelled in pride. I remember his daily shining of shoes, brushing his suit and wearing his hat – even for an afternoon nap. He was so conscious of his small feet and very bald head.
Once I bought Grandpa a “hairbrush for a bald man.” It consisted of a piece of terry cloth glued onto a small wooden paddle. He was not happy with the gift or the gift giver.
Grandma was not well when I was growing up. Mom always spoke of her with great kindness and respect. It certainly was my loss not to have known her earlier.
Grandpa and Grandma spent some time with us when Mom wasn’t teaching. Probably no one fully understood the extent of Grandma’s illness. Grandpa’s love and devotion to her never wavered.
One particular occasion stands out in my cache of memories. The Buckley siblings met our front living room (doors shut) to discuss Grandma’s care. How very sad for them having to make plans regarding her health and future. The roles were reversed. The children were now the decision makers. Even at my young age, I was impressed that those 9 strong personalities were able to be unified. Through their tears they had to make painful decisions regarding the person they loved so much. Maybe this was on of my first lessons in the meaning of family.
I have so many fond memories of my aunts and uncles. They were all such intelligent and hard working people. They certainly inherited Grandpa’s sense of pride and Grandma’s talent of recitation of poems and songs.
Being fortunate to have a mother who was a great story teller, my brother and I grew up hearing tales of life on the farm, escapades with her sisters and classmates. More times than not “Port Leyden” was used in the story. Mom loved her family, her church and her hometown.
Mom had obstacles of her own but her wealth of family and friends made her who she was. She started teaching at age 18 earning $900.00 a year. She had to teach all grades, all subjects, clean the schoolhouse and keep the wood fire burning.
My mother taught in various local schools plus time in Raquette Lake and Inlet. 35 years later her career had gone full circle when she retired from teaching at Port Leyden School.
Mom was a born teacher. She touched many lives and was greatly admired by her former students. She managed to teach full time, raise a family, run a tourist home and earn her Bachelor’s degree from Potsdam State. She accomplished all this and never had a driver’s license. Mom had a good teammate. My Dad was one of the best. He was hard working, a good cook and kind to all. When the squabbles of married life occurred, Dad just retreated to his barn or bountiful garden. Ironically Dad died of a heart attack in his beloved barn. He had just finished snow blowing his driveway at age 86. The shared 45 years together.
Mom was the happiest when she had lots of company and a full dining room table. Weekends were meant for family gatherings and delicious meals. Remember those homemade pies?
And the reunions! For weeks in advance Aunt Marguerite, Aunt Norma and Mom planned for the event. It was a command performance and Mom was very good at delegating tasks.
My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have given me my identity and history. As grandchildren we were instilled with the love of God and family. In true Buckley fashion, compliments were a rarity. Self esteem was highly over rated. We were not given false hopes but we all knew we were loved.
As I treasure my husband, our two children and precious grandchildren, I thank Grandma and Grandpa. I also thank my parents. Because as role models they passed down the foundation and values so I could embrace the importance of family.
To quote an anonymous writer “Just when you think you have known all that love is … along comes grandchildren.” Do you think Dennis and Eva would have been proud of their clan? I know so.
The only item I have of Grandma’s is her recipe for doughnuts. After reading the ingredients I think the Surgeon General’s warning should be place on it.
2 cups sugar
4 Tablespoons melted fat
½ teaspoon salt
Mix with 2 cups flour
Mix together
3 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 Tablespoon vanilla
Add
4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
Shake nutmeg in freely
4 pounds of lard melted in deep frying pan
Mom was known for her public speaking abilities and poetry writing. Often she was called upon to be toastmistress and banquet speaker at various events. The greatest claim to fame was her writing of the Port Leyden school song. It is still sung at the annual school banquet.
SEE ATTACHED ALMA MATER