Mike Parker: “Gwanny will pick me up”
“Gwanny will pick me up”
My grandmother, Lady Belle Parker, was one of the most significant influences on my life. She reminds me of the story of seminary students discussing their favorite translations of the Bible. After several students mentioned a variety of translations, one student told his fellow scholars:
“I prefer my mother’s translation the best.”
“We didn’t know your mother was a scholar with knowledge of the original languages of the Bible,” a fellow student replied.
“Oh, she isn’t. She translates the Bible into her life.”
My grandmother was like that. She lived a simple faith guided by the two commandments that Jesus said were the greatest: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength – and love your neighbor as yourself.
While visiting with my aunt Judy, she told me a story that revealed another part of my Granny’s heart. After my grandfather passed away in 1962, Granny had a limited income from Social Security. She received $96 a month for her and $96 for Judy.
She would take on babysitting jobs in her home to supplement her income. One little fellow, I will call him Ian, became one of her extended grandchildren. Ian’s mom approached Granny about keeping him during the week so she could work. Ian’s father had deserted his family, so his mom was their sole provider.
But Ian’s mom had issues with substance abuse. Even though Granny kept the little boy during the week, his mom did not work every day. Her substance abuse prevented her from being able to work on some days.
Granny soon noticed that often, on Monday mornings, when Ian’s mother brought him to her home, Ian was wearing the same clothes he was wearing when he left Granny on Friday afternoon. On some Mondays, Ian was wearing the same diaper Granny had put on him the Friday before. Granny kept Ian until he started school.
One day when Ian was in the first grade, he became ill. He was running a fever and was lethargic. The school’s principal reached out to Ian’s mother – first at her work number and then at her home number. The principal even contacted the father, who said, “I don’t have anything to do with that boy.”
After several more unsuccessful attempts to reach the mom, the principal told Ian:
“I know you are sick, but I cannot find anyone to pick you up.” Ian looked up at the principal.
“Gwanny will pick me up,” Ian said. The principal called Granny and explained the situation. Granny told the principal that she was on her way. She told the principal she could not climb the steep steps and asked the principal to send Ian down - or walk him down - when she arrived. The principal agreed.
Granny arrived as quickly as she could. Since Granny did not drive, she had walked a couple of miles from home to the school. When the principal saw her, she sent Ian down. Granny carried the child back to her house.
Before long Granny realized that Ian needed to see a doctor, so she contacted a friend who agreed to drive her and Ian to the doctor. Ian had a double ear infection, so the doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the child. Granny stopped by the drugstore to get the medicine and began treating Ian. Soon, his fever broke and he was feeling better.
Eventually, the mom came to pick Ian up from Granny’s.
A little boy who needed help knew the one he could call on for help – and he was right.
He knew he could count on his Gwanny.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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