Each branch of the family that originated from my Great-grandfather, W.S. Leslie, would get up & pose in a group for photos & elect a spokesperson from each family within the branch to introduce each member. The Leslie Reunion began in 1960 at the request of my Great-grandfather & so far shows no sign of slowing down.
The matriarch of my immediate family was, again, too feeble to make the reunion. Grandma Ruby, nearing 100, has been in a nursing home for years but has faithfully been visited by me & as many of my family as can make it down from PA to see her every year. This year was no exception. Grandma Ruby begins looking for me sometime around September & is often convinced that I am down the hall from her calling for my mom.
Grandma Ruby raised 4 boys & a girl so she knew the "in's & out's" of people like me. She lived with me for many years and has had a profound impact upon my life. Last year, Grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer but is not in any pain (none that she'd admit to). She does not want any treatment but chooses to complete her life as it is. I'm not sure if I'll be making the trip to the nursing home next Thanksgiving to see her or not, but it doesn't really bother me. I am at peace with her situation & my relationship to her. I know where she'll be going in Eternity and I have had no regrets about my history with her.
If I can say anything about one aspect of her life that has impacted me, it would be that in nearly every one of my memories of her, she has always been laughing. If she wasn't laughing, she was making others laugh. She was always positive and always believing in the best in a situation. And she could laugh at herself better than anyone else could. Grandma Ruby outlived 3 husbands - the first being my paternal Grandfather, Berlie Leslie, who died when my dad was a teenager of the dreaded disease tuberculosis. The second being a man I vaguely remember as "Papa Gus" Tolleson, and the third was the man I could regard as my true "grandpa", Isaac McDaniel, who Grandma met while still in her 70s. He brought her much joy in her so late in her life. His sharp wit was a perfect match for her sense of humor.
Grandma Ruby was not overly "spiritual", but she was spirited. She respected & honored her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, but she didn't rub Him into anyone else's face. She enjoyed a good glass of home made muskidine wine as much as she enjoyed making the wild cherry jelly from the dozens of quarts of cherries I had picked while climbing in the trees near my house as a boy. She could tell & would enjoy hearing any joke that had just a slight tinge of "blue"...but none that were too coarse. And you could always feel free to make any comments about her "big butt" or about her being an "old fart" without any fear of offending her.
I am thankful that my children have been able to experience getting to know Grandma Ruby and I'm glad she has been able to see her great-grandsons grow up in front of her. I do not think she really comprehends the tremendous impact she has made upon our family. I do know that I will have a part of Grandma Ruby in my life until I, too, leave this earth & join her in Heaven...where she will be doing a lot of what she does even now in a rest home.
Laughing.
