The GGma Chronicles, Part 16: Bible Reading, Saving Shep, To Oklahoma and Back, and Mama’s Life
A Crust in Contentment is Better than a Feast with a Quarrel
This was written by my maternal grandmother, Alice Green-Kollenborn (1911-2005).
MAMA READ THE BIBLE NIGHTLY
She read and respected the Bible and taught us children the “Golden Rule” and the “Ten Commandments,” not by saying but by following them the best she could.
She took us on Nature walks and taught us the beauty of all living things. We learned from her respect for all living things, no matter how small. She taught us to appreciate the simple things in life: the beauty of a sunset, the blue sky, birds flying, trees growing and flowers and the smell of fresh rain on the green grass. She loved the songs of the wild birds, the hooting of the wood owls, the wail of the lonely whippoorwill and the simple song of the robins. She loved the peaceful surroundings of our country home.
MAMA TRIES TO SAVE SHEP
When Shep was getting up in years, he came home sick as though paralyzed. Mama doctored him as no vets around then except for doctoring cows and horses, and they traveled over the country like traveling salesmen. Saved Shep and fed him fresh beef to help him gain strength. Our cow had bloated and died from eating green corn. Mama cut steak off this cow for Shep. Gained in strength and got on his feet gradually. Got well as new. Years later he died when he was old from poisoning. Grandpa found him dead in Sugar Creek on our farm.
MOVE TO OKLAHOMA
Leave Arkansas to go to Oklahoma. Live on uncle’s place. When I was about 11 years old Mama stored part of furniture, rented our house, loaded up a covered wagon like early pioneers and headed for Oklahoma. Each of us holding a big bag of corn, peaches, tablets and pencil were squeezed in back of wagon in sweet hay.
Had hard rains, graveled horse and bad times. Made it slowly but surely. A trip to remember. Stayed in Oklahoma and went to school for two terms. Decided home was best. Loaded up again, went back and had a bad time to get back in our house. Horses got sick, lost one. Had very hard struggle. Mama got moved back on old farm and we were all very happy.
Raised more chickens, hogs, and cows (Cherry stayed). Sold black walnut trees to help educate us children.
Sold part of her farm to keep us all together. Girls worked out helping keep house, boys caddied at a new summer resort at Bella Vista to help earn money for education.
Girls finally went to college earning scholarships. After college on to business school for one, teacher’s college for another, some married and raised children. Boys became civil engineers, married and raised families.
MAMA WAS LIKE THAT
Mama lived to be 89 years old, bedfast but sound of mind; always recalled her life with happiness and great pride.
Saw most of her grandchildren grow up. Had great-grandchildren [I am one of them, but never met her] and great-great-grandchildren [including my two sons]. Left a legacy of appreciation for the good things in life to all her children.
We often went hungry during bad seasons, but when we ate our meager meals she always said, “A crust in contentment is better than a feast with a quarrel.”
She always found something to be thankful for. Mama had a full life because she made it that way. Mama was like that.