Marty Wyatt authored and wrote this article he calls Mamaw and Papaw
A story passed down to me from my Mother’s side of the family about Mamaw and Papaw.
Introduction
My grandparents were much like early families. They worked hard and scraped by but were always happy and smiling. Both of them always had some type of inspirational advice or a quick happy event to recall for anyone. This was always ready when anyone had became discouraged along the way. It was a very loving family and we were taught to be helpful, understanding as well as compassionate to others. It was from these strong family bonds that we were taught to be prepared for the real world.
Tough Decision Times
I remember when we were nervous and uncertain about a dealing with someone we would talk to Mamaw and Papaw. Normally this was when we had to confront someone who had some authority in some job that one of us were applying for. We often doubted whether we were qualified in applying and were afraid of being rejected.
Papa would always say “They put their pants on the same way you do, one leg at a time”. ” All they can do is say no they can’t eat you” was another of Mamaw and Papaw’s psychology comments. Such strong encouraging words of advice for a young person that really put the un-nerving situation into perspective. I could write about all these memories but it would be a very long article. Therefore I will share a couple memories that stick out to me the most.
The Big Families
My grandparents had a very large family. Everyone did in those days. My grandparents had to plan for things and figure out a way to pay for them ahead of time. I remember many times being told by one of the family about a cow papaw had for many years. He milked the cow and she provided for the family this basic commodity. I remember the milk was stored in several glass, gallon sized Fischer pickled bologna jars and the cream always floated to the top. I would ask if one of my aunts remembered the cow and was always told the same story.
Yes we remember her they would say. Every time she would have a calf we knew it wasn’t long afterwards that we would have a new brother or sister. Papaw would always plan ahead and the calf would be just the right age to sell when Mamaw would give birth. You see the calf was what payed for the doctor when the new baby came along.
Disipline With Mamaw and Papaw
Papaw was always the one that had to do the discipline, if you want to call it that. This started by one of us being caught caught doing something we weren’t supposed to be doing. First step began by Mamaw sending us to Papaw for the trial and verdict. Papaw would smile at everything and had patience beyond belief. He would line us up in the living room and his “discipline” would go like this.
It would involve this hour long planning of how we were going to be spanked and how hard. He would explain how we need to brace yourself so we didn’t fall when we were spanked. He said we needed to brace because the beating would be hard and we may fall down.
The entire time he would be giggling under his breath and we were scared we were not going to come out of it alive the entire time. After all this hour long teasing and giggling he would tap you and say “Don’t do that again”. He would then explain why and what impact it would have on someone or ourselves. That would last another half hour. When it was over we knew what we had done and why it should not be doneagain.
To this day I do not ever remember getting a spanking from him. Regardless if I did or didn’t I feel he taught me more than any other family member. Papaw exerted this same pattern with dealings with others who “did wrong”. He could do it in such a nice way that when it was over you would just have to thank him for explaining it to you.
Conclusion
I hope others will come forward and share some of their memories. Some don’t because they feel they cannot write well or don’t have the time. It isn’t the composition of the memory as much as it is the recording of these memories before they are all but forgotten. How many of us wanted to interview a family member and put it off until they were no longer there. Take the time and the courage to share these memories before it is no longer available. Remember “We all put our pants one the same way, one leg at a time”.
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