| Four years of
time has passes since the passing of my Granny to where greener
pastures are said to be. Her memory is still strong in me, sparked
by random thoughts, scenery, objects and articles that I have
saved and her artwork that adorns my home. The things we save
and hold onto – it never ceases to amaze me.
Recently I came across a piece
of paper tucked away in behind song sheets. I guess that is
what those back pockets are for in the backs of old binders,
to stow away papers for a later date and fresh new eyes to
laugh apon.
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I think I
remember putting this paper away, as quickly as it came into
our Ottawa home.
Initially, I was proud that the Governor General of Canada
would send such a
document to my Granny, honouring her in her ripe old age,
celebrating her life and
the changes she has experienced and endured. I have to say,
that even after all the
strokes and TIA’s, that not much escaped my Granny’s
sharp eye and wit when
I displayed the golden embossed page in front of her 93 year
old eyes.
She read it over, a slow process. Like myself, she initially
neglected to read the name in the
salutation, too engrossed in the flowery prose of the body
of the piece. Her pride turned
to a wrinkled brow when she reached the end of the document.
Her eyes scrolled back
to the top, she looked at me, shook her head and pushed it
away.
Basically dumbfounded,
I thought maybe she was shocked to be 93
– who wouldn’t be? After several moments of silence,
she shook her head again and this is what she said:
“I have worked my whole life
for the Government – I even worked several years after
retirement writing contracts for them [basically 50 years]
and paid taxes all my life.”
I nodded, like I would. I know she
worked hard, teaching as well, night school
and art classes to support herself and her son.
She shook her head again. And again.
“Mrs. Saunderson?
How many taxes do I have to pay to get them
to spell my name right?”
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