Life was looking up a bit for Grams. She had a friend. Perhaps her first and only friend. Josie came to the house daily to clean and dress Grams’ wound (you remember, the maggot infested wound from spilling grease). She also cleaned and cooked meals. Basically Grams got a friend and a break. She had worked so hard all of her life especially since she lost her ability to walk. Wow…pushing a chair around to get from the stove to the washboard to the clothesline…She even did her own dry cleaning – with gasoline! The youngest (my mother) passed at school after breathing the fumes. I’m surprised the whole class didn’t have to be evacuated! That would certainly be done today, in a heartbeat.
Josie lightened the load not for Grams but also for the son and the youngest. The son could spend even more time away and the youngest could have a bit more carefree kid life. Grams could confide in Josie and Josie could just smile and everything seemed better. As a child I was always more excited to go see Josie than I was to see any of my crazy family. Her world was somehow safer and more joyful and well she made the best tortillas in the southwest. Josie passed this talent on to the youngest (my mother), when she was an adult, who improved upon the recipe to ultimately make the best tortillas in the universe! I’m not kiddin’.
There was an added benefit to Josie’s relationship with Grams. It seemed that Gramps didn’t spend as much time at the house. Once Grams was healed, she continued to spend time with her friend and they remained so until Josie’s death.
Some People’s Kids: Healers…