Memories from a Granddaughter

When my mother first began to write down our family history, she was blessed with the opportunity to hear it from her parents first-hand. For over 10 years, when they would remember and talk; she would write. We took that information and organized it a little (did just a little research to make sure it was right) and so began our addiction to genealogy. The section below contains stories about Charles Robert Adams and Ruth Virginia Elder.

Grandpa had a sense of humor. Grandma had a bit of arthritis in her arms and sometimes when it bothered her she was unable to tie her apron. Once she went to Grandpa and asked him, 'Robert, would you tie me up?' and he did. He had tied her to the chair. She never asked again.

Sometimes when Grandma would make gravy it would come out one of three ways; thick, thin, or just right. Grandpa would tease her and ask from the dining room into the kitchen which he would need, a straw or a hatchet for the gravy. One evening when she made the gravy, it came out thick. He hadn't asked which he would need yet, so when she set the table she placed his small hatchet next to his plate. I don't think we ever heard him ask again. (PS - In my family, any time the gravy comes out thick it is referred to as 'Hatchet Gravy')

Grace at the Table
Grandpa always said the Blessing. It didn't matter if there were only 2 people at the table, a Thanksgiving dinner where the whole family was there, or out camping, fishing, or a family picnic in the park, Grandpa said the Blessing. He never said anything just sat down, elbows on the table, and put his hands up to the side of his face, everyone stopped, word went around, 'Shhh, Grandpa's saying the Blessing'. Even if you were out of site in the kitchen, you stopped. It was always the same Blessing. I've only heard it vary one time, he teased Grandma when at the end of the blessing, he blessed everyone 'except this old lady here at the end'.
I only heard his voice break with tears one time, it took him a moment to recover, and we never said a word, just waited, gave him time to be okay, and then he finished. That one time was when, in his later years, all six of his kids were grown and some were far away, they had all managed to be together at one time, not an easy task with one in the service, and several who lived many states away. He loved his children.
So for those of you who read this, if you've never heard it before - this is Grandpa's Blessing. And for those who sat at his table and remember it well, wipe your eyes and remember it again.

"Heavenly Father, pardon our sins, bless this food and nourishment to our bodies,
and bless our homes. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen."

(Anyone know who was bold enough to take a photo during the blessing?!)

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