A Reason to Call Home

My son went to homecoming Saturday night. As we were scrambling rather last minute for something to wear the morning of the dance, it became apparent that I may have to iron. This may sound like simple event but, I have VERY limited ironing experience. My mother paid my grandma to do our family ironing. With 4 kids in private school, her being a nurse and my dad in uniform walking mail, this was a wise use of her money. My dad was probably the most pressed and professional looking mailman in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Needless to say, the prospect of ironing was a bit of a dilemma so I did what every 21st century woman would do and I lamented on Facebook. The response was great. I had friends offer to iron the shirt for me, a link to a how-to website and a couple step by step instructions. As I laughed about my inability to iron, I decided it would be a good time to call my grandma. Sadly, I don't talk to her nearly enough and after speaking with her recently on her birthday, I made a mental note to call her more often.

Here is a roughly edited version of the phone call:

Grandma: Hello?

Me: Hi grandma, it's Sunshine.

G: Sunner? Oh hello!

M: Hi grandma. I was just thinking about you today and I thought I would call you.

G: Well Sunner, you know your old grandma here thinks about you all the time.

M: Haha. Thanks grandma. Guess what? I have to iron a shirt for Noah today and I don't know how to iron and it's all your fault!

G: (laughs) Ha! Well, you know I always did love to do your ironing. That Barb (my mom) doesn't let me do it anymore.

M: Yeah, well I should have taken a little time to learn because now I'm stuck.

G: Well, I'll teach you next time you are home. You know, that Conrad (her husband) was military and everything had to be pressed right with the 3points on the back. (She then went into a very elaborate description of the military press)

M: Wow! Sounds difficult.

G: No, no. I'll teach ya. Next time you come home. When are you coming home?

M: Soon grandma. I promise. You know, I was teasing Ashley the other day about noodles. (homemade chicken noodles are my grandma's signature dish) I told Ash that she got mom's noodles on her birthday but, when I come home, I'll get YOUR noodles. Right?

G: Oh Sunner, I will always make noodles for you!

M: Haha. Yeah, I told Ash it was because I'm your favorite.

G: Oh yes, you and Shane (oldest boy grandchild) Well, all you kids are special to me but, you and Shane lived with me so, you were different. It was just different, you know.

And without even prompting she went into the story of the day my mom and I moved out. My mom was a single mom when I was born and we lived with my grandma for about 4 years.

G: Oh you know, that day was hard for me. I was mad at Barb. And, when she came to get your bed, I just cried you know. And when I was vacuuming the carpet where your bed was, I just cried and cried.

M: Awww grandma, and I was just moving across town!

G: I know, I know. I just liked having you living with me, that's all.

M: Your too sweet grandma.

G: Well, I sure do miss you. I miss all my grandkids.

M: Miss you too grandma. I'll be home soon. I promise.

G: Ok Sunner. You take care. I'll teach you how to iron when you get home.

M: Ok. And, can I get a German Chocolate cake too.

G: (laugh) Oh, you know you can get a cake too.

M: Love you grandma.

G: Love you too sweetheart.

And, this just makes me think that I need to find more reasons to call home.