A Grandma’s Wisdom

Grandma-isms. Is there such a word? There should be. My grandma tended to tell me stories of her youth, and spent as much time on her regrets as her successes. I don’t have too many one-liners from her, but the intent and messages linger within me to this day.

A peppery and well timed, “Schweinhund!” was always a smile maker in my young life, as was her “Goot Gott in Himmel” when I tested her patience. (Which was almost never, so I’m surprised I remember that particular statement. Ahem.)

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Tieraona Low Dog speak. I’ve heard her many times over the years and find her approach of combining integrative medicine with scientific research refreshing and useful. During the day of lecturing she often brought in stories about her family to punctuate a point. Two recollections that included her grandmother have stayed with me.

Dr. Low Dog said when she was going through med school she was also a midwife, a massage therapist, a black belt martial artist, and oh yeah, a wife and mother. She was exhausted. Her grandmother came for a visit and said,”Tieraona, you need to take care of yourself.”

“I know, Grandmother. If I don’t I won’t be able to care for my family and patients.”

“Oh my sweet child,” responded the grandmother, “I’m not asking you to take care of yourself so you can care for others. I’m asking you to take care of yourself because you are a creation of God’s and need to care for this life he gave you.”

The other story I loved was this:

Dr. Low Dog had been having a phone conversation with her grandmother. As they ended the call she said, “Have a great day, Grandmother.”

Her grandmother responded, “If I don’t, I’m cheating myself.”

How wise and wonderful was this woman? Knowing there are millions of grandma-isms out there is the best part of my day. Care to share any of yours?