The Looney Bin
Bless Grandma’s heart, by this time, the only way she could get around was with her walker. You know, one of the shiny, metal numbers with the cut up tennis balls on the bottom? Grandma was so funny; I have observed over the years that a lot of the elderly population view needing a walker as some sort of shame to be endured, but not Granny Fern! She used that walker like a plow and pushed that thing through a crowd, just like she used her determined spirit to push through the Depression, the loss of a husband, the loss of a daughter, moving to a new state, everything.
One particular morning, the ladies group was scheduled to sing “I Just Keep Trusting my Lord”. The song director called us up for the special and about 25 ladies, girls, babies, etc. quickly and quietly made their way to the front of the little sanctuary. You have to understand something here….the good folks at Redwood were some of the quietest and meekest people on earth. Well, there we were, stretched out in a line across the front of the church, yours truly on piano, facing about 15 sleepy-looking men. But wait…we can’t start yet….Grandma Fern is still shuffling down the aisle.
Grandma always sat on the second row, right hand side of the church. Even with that short distance to cover, it would still take her about 85 minutes to reach the front of the church house. We were all patiently waiting…bless her heart, she couldn’t help it! Most directors of singing groups turn their back to the audience, face the choir and direct. But, oh no! Not Granny Fern. She would always turn towards the audience and back into the throng of women with her rear-end leading the way, all the while smiling like Miss America. And you guessed it; she always placed herself smack in the middle.