For some reason, the print media was attracted to my Grandmother. She did not seek them out, however, they came to her front porch to sit, to talk, and to relive times past. A lot of what she told them did indeed wind up in print, but there were a few things that were edited out of the final piece.
My Grandmother’s children were not surprised the media was attracted to her, although one aunt told me, “I don’t know why they keep wanting to talk to that old woman. I never heard any of the things she tells them, so, I just don’t know.” I never doubted my Grandmother, and as time has past and history has shed some light on some of her stories told, they bear up extremely well. As a matter of fact, she was able to straighten out a few things people didn’t know.
The first interview that I became aware of was conducted in 1940. My Grandmother was born before the turn of the century, and the article was to get an idea of the differences in the times. The title of the article actually captures an insight into my Grandmother. “Mrs. Turney Admires Today’s Young People.” Her place was known as “kid haven.” She had operated a dairy after the death of her husband of 31 years, and in the process helped many families through the depression by overseeing children while parents left town to find work. All eight of her children graduated high school and she made sure all those children went to school. She was asked to compare her childhood, with children of the day. She said she thought children were more content back in her day. However, she was quick to add that she was a modern, admiring all the great improvements that have enriched life during the past 50 years.
Remember, this interview was in 1940…just as the depression was trying to find an end. She added that she thought boys and girls understood each other better than when she was a girl. And that the present was much to be preferred to the conditions that went before.
I was present for an interview with her conducted by one of the female newspaper reporters. I do not recall her name or which newspaper she was working for, because I was terribly distracted, but the interview took place in the 1960s. The reporter was wearing a very short mini skirt that she fidgeted with a lot. She asked my Grandmother about children of the day, and she reminded everyone that her place was still considered kid heaven. She pointed to a bunch of kids playing football in her side yard as proof. Well, the reporter finally asked her what she though of the mini skirts the girls were wearing of the day. My Grandmother replied, “In our day, we were not allowed to show our ankles. So, as soon as we hit the back door of the house we would roll our skirts up under our belts for a peek at our ankles. It is all just a matter of perspective.”
While my Grandmother’s thoughts were sought after by the print media over the years, the last interview with her took place in 1965, the year of the Sonora Jubilee. She was the town’s oldest member. In the article written by Jim Batten, my Grandmother told him she was a very modern old lady. “If we had had the opportunities that the young folks have today-well, we’d have gone further and stayed longer.’
She was amazed at traveling by air. This lady had spent a large amount of time in covered wagons, buggies, and hacks. “I have ridden everything there is to ride. I rode the first Santa Fe Railroad train from Christoval to Sonora and I’ve flown to California and Portland, Oregon. When I go to Fort Stockton, I fly back-it only takes 40 minutes. Next, I want to ride a jet.” She never had that opportunity, but if she had of had, there would have been a story about it.
I think I may know why the media was attracted to my Grandmother. She was a glimpse into the past, with a colorful look, and she would definitely talk about it. Yes, old walls can talk, but it seems as though it is up to us to get them to do it.
short stories 