Fish Fry and Hushpuppy Legacy

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we all took a walk on that familiar road which connects my parents' house to my grandparents' home. I've walked this road hundreds of times in my life; its steep hills both going and coming. I even remember my sister slipping on the little bridge over the creek in the middle of winter when we were young girls. I was laughing so hard, I couldn't even help her out of the hole. Her feet were straight up in the air as she squirmed in the snow-covered crevice. (I'm sorry, Amy! I wish I would have given you a hand! Really, I do! hee hee)

Getting back to my story...

We walked that familiar road and greeted "Nanny" my father's mother, at the top of the hill where her house is located. My Dad, being the dutiful, hard-working son that he is, began to rake the leaves outside. So, I decided to pitch in as the boys played out behind the garden, hidden by a ravine. Abraham yelled, "We're okay, Mom. We're playing Survivor Man!"

After raking, I walked down to the back porch and began to sweep the crunchy, brown leaves out of the flower-box and from under the rickety table. My mind was then inundated with memories. I could actually smell the fish deep-frying in the cooker. You see, growing up, my grandfather, PawPaw, was a fisherman. He would go fishing for crappy mainly. I can still see him standing in the backyard next to his tree which he must have considered his "skinning" tree. This was the tree which he had built a wooden shelf onto so he could skin his fish. It was not the most pleasant smelling tree, but still a good memory nonetheless!

With each sweep, I could remember our family gathering on that back porch, laughing and talking, Nanny cooking hush-puppies which would melt in your mouth. My grandfather and assorted uncles and Dad would help deep-fry the fish. Then we would all eat together in the basement or outside.

The memories I have are more dreamy, illusionary memories, sort of like an out-of-body experience. It was as if I was there as an invisible observer, aware of my senses, such as sight, smell, etc, but disconnected from my feelings. Yet, in spite of that seeming loss, I can still remember that these were always looked-forward-to events, and they happened very regularly.

My various cousins and I would run around, play in various rooms, the basement, etc, rotating being kind and friendly and cruel and petty. Oh, the joys of childhood! Still, I have good-feeling memories of this time together at my grandparent's house. I think I must have taken this sense of family value for granted as a young child, because frankly, I didn't know any differently! This is the way I grew up.

I am truly thankful for this fish-fry and hushpuppy legacy that my PawPaw and Nanny have left for us all, both children and grandchildren. Even the simplest expressions of unity and involvement can make a lasting impact on a child's life. I only hope that I can leave a legacy for my children to look back on and be thankful for. My legacy most likely won't be fish fries (don't know anything about fishing!) but I pray that God will allow me to leave my individual imprint on their lives, whether it be great or small. In God's kingdom, there are no small legacies, only heavenly ones.