Giving
Giving
The stairs were very steep but they had only fifteen steps. The first ten were straight before reaching the bend. That bend involved three fan shaped steps as the stairs turned 90º, the points were next to the banister rail, and it was difficult for short legs with hands full to negotiate them and balance before attempting the final three steps to the landing.
Crossing the landing was more difficult, the arms were growing tired and tray with a plate & two cups and saucers rattled and shook eager to splash their liquid over the tops of the cups, but thank goodness the buttered bread escaped the raining liquid. Pushing open the bedroom door with my foot I timidly carried the tray to the bed. Mammy and daddy sat up as I approached.
“This is a lovely surprise!” said Mammy taking the tray and resting it on her knee. I was so pleased with my effort that I was unaware of the look that passed between my parents.
“How did you light the gas?” She enquired.
“I didn’t!” I answered cheerfully.
“Well where did you get the hot water?” Asked mammy.
Ever positive, I told her: “Out of the hot tap!”
“I think we need a little more sugar” said mammy. “Will you bring up the bowl please…. and don’t run!”
When I arrived back up the stairs with the sugar bowl, daddy was getting back into bed and the cups were empty! They must have been very thirsty….
I was all of five years old and the water in the tap seemed very hot to my little fingers!
Rummuser said,
December 25, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Grannymar, in my language, that is a googly. Wonderful story, well told. Season’s greetings to you too.
Nick said,
December 25, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I wonder where they emptied the teacups? Into the pot plant maybe? Or out of the window?
chrisb said,
December 25, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Just dropped by say Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2010.
Conrad said,
December 25, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Grannymar, you have such a mastery of the personal. THIS is what Christmas is about!
You own my heart. May it add to the treasures of Christmas and a most prosperous and meaningful New Year for you and yours!
Judy Harper said,
December 25, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Lovely story! When my daughter was four, I became ill for several days, one day she brought me toast with sugar and cinnamon, lots of sugar and cinnamon! She was so proud of herself! Just like you! Merry Christmas! I’m having to share my daughters computer with her and my two grandkids, so I’m a little delayed in reading and posting.
gaelikaa said,
December 26, 2009 at 5:25 am
I remember the bend in the stairs. Lots of those in houses in Dublin! What memories your posts stir up!
Grannymar said,
December 26, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Apologies for the late reply, I have been away from home with a very temperamental internet connection.
Three times last night I tried to answer these comments before giving up in frustration.
Magpie11 said,
December 26, 2009 at 4:35 pm
He He…reminds me of cooking the Turkey when mater was in bed not well. She said, “Put it on a metal tray in the oven.” So I did…and the paint on the tray burned!
Hope everyone had a good time.
Alice said,
December 26, 2009 at 4:58 pm
What a thoughtful little girl you were. And by their reactions, you can see where that came from.
Grannymar said,
December 26, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Ramana - Sometimes I have no idea of the direction that I am going.
Nick - Down the sink I would imagine.
Chrisb - Thank you, and Many Happy Returns to you, Embee, your mum and all the family!
Conrad - I treasure the gift of your heart!
Judy H - Family comes first at this time of year. I hope you are having a wonderful time.
Gaelikaa - Did you play games on the stairs? We did.
I can smell the paint burning.
I hope you cleaned out the turkey before putting it in the oven!
Alice - I saw mammy carry many a tray up those stairs to sick relatives.
Baino said,
December 26, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Aww brings back memories indeed of weak tea and soggy toast. It took me years to convince my kids that I really didn’t need breakfast in bed on special mornings. Lovely story.
Grannymar said,
December 27, 2009 at 8:51 am
Baino, suddenly, I am thinking of the uneven doorsteps of bread I carried up the stairs…. all our bread in those days was unsliced.
Ginger said,
December 29, 2009 at 8:57 pm
What a wonderful gift you gave your parents! They were probably very proud!
And also, what a lovely, cozy story. It’s familiar to a lot of us, I would imagine.
Grannymar said,
December 29, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Ginger, back then I never saw my efforts as giving. My life is made up of simple stories, ones we can all share.