LaTaoist

Cueillez, cuiellez votre jeuness...... 0 Comments

Journal Entry written 1 day ago by Taoist

My grandmother died yesterday morning around 5:00 a.m. Eastern time. Her name was Margaret; she never allowed anyone to call her Peg or Maggie. She was intelligent, bitchy, judgemental, independent, pretentious, beautiful, crazy, the original Swedish American Princess, and I loved her dearly.

She lived life on her own terms and never let anyone tell her what was right or wrong.

She divorced her husband in the early 50s; she had a wonderful partner for over 20 years - a Jewish gentleman named Ben (not a common relationship for a WASP in those days) who, she once confided to me, had been a wonderful lover.

On this Halloween I remember another October 31st. That was a year in which I could not decide how to dress up, what to be, what costume to wear. I was in 4th grade and she and I scandalized my elementary school, our neighborhood and my (even then uptight) older sister.

She put me in her knee high white pleather boots, her long, printed button-down skirt (and only buttoned the five top buttons), and a see-through blouse (note: yes, she did insist I wear all of this over some shorts and a t-shirt). She topped it off with her long curly wig, bright red lipstick, blue eye shadow, and lots of rouge. She stood back, admired her handiwork and told me that if anyone asked, to tell them I was a "floozy."

Here's to you, Grandma.... I know you are safe and sound with Rueben and the others..... I am sad for me and glad for you.

Mignonne, allons voir si la rose
Qui ce matin avait déclose
Sa Robe de pourpre au soleil,
A point perdu cette vesprée
Les plis de sa robe pourprée,
Et son teint au vôtre pareil.

Las! Voyez comme en peu d?espace, Mignonne, elle a dessus la place,
Las, las ses beautés laissé choir!
O vraiment marâtre Nature,
telle fleur ne dure
Que du matin jusques au soir!

Donc, si vous me croyez, mignonne,
Tandis que votre âge fleuronne
En sa plus verte nouveauté,
Cuillez, cuiellez votre jeunesse:
Comme à cette fleur, la vieillesse
Fera tenir votre beauté.