Iva Della
Memories and Stories of Iva Della Robinson's family
Menu

Iva Della Memories, Eva Lee, granddaughter June 2, 2011

Iva Della Memories (Eva, granddaughter)

My sister has been after me to write down memories about a very special lady.  So I’m sitting here doing just that.  When I think about Grandma Della which is still quite often, I will get a smile on my face.  I have many memories because she was my neighbor which I’m very grateful.  My first memory is of me sitting in her rocking chair in the dining room.  It’s cold outside but I’m warm and cozy as can be.  Many think her place was too hot.  But it was always perfect to me.  Anyway, I’m sitting in the rocking chair and Grandma would be sewing.  I don’t remember what we’d be talking about or what stories she’d be telling me.  But I remember the sound of her voice, the creaking of the chair.  Always a good way to spend an afternoon.  I remember sitting there from seven years old or younger up into high school.

Those times are special because I was so content.  I don’t ever remember knocking because her house was an extension of my house.  I remember calling her (local call, you know).  I bet she got a dozen calls a day from me.  I remember walking down the road or in the pasture but no matter where I was going or what I was playing, Grandma’s house was always the destination.

She always had something good to eat.  Her cinnamon rolls were to die for.  And German chocolate cake plus she would make birthday cakes which were angle food with egg yolk middles.  You would be ask what color for the frosting; pink, purple, green, etc.  I even remember helping make the frosting different colors.  I didn’t care for the angle food cake (guess I was too much of a little devil) but I loved the frosting and the yellow yolk part.  I’m not the only one!

She was always sewing for everyone.  She made me granny gowns for the winter. Bunny rabbit pillows with ears and whiskers stored our p.j.’s.  She also made short sets.  In sixth grade she made my dress for the “May Day” program and a bonnet just like the pioneer ladies and her own.  It always amazed me that in the heat of summer, she would come out to garden with her dress on plus a long sleeve shirt, apron, gloves, and her bonnet.  I’d melt just looking at her.  And then, she’d work for a long time in the garden.  I remember running into the house to get my bonnet on too before joining her.

I remember going for eggs at my house and there was this huge snake curled around the chicken resting poles.  My scream had my mama running out to the chicken house.  She couldn’t see the snake and I wasn’t about to go into the chicken house.  It old mama, “Call Grandma, call Grandma”.  I don’t know who called but I remember Grandma being there with her hoe.  She took care of the snake although she hated to because it was a bull snake.  I went back to gathering eggs after a while but those chickens had to move, stand, whatever because I was sure there was a snake under those chickens waiting for me to grab those eggs.

I remember seeing Grandma coming out of her house while I was in the road on top of the hill.  I would yell at her.  She would hear me.  I’d yell where I was at and she’d wave.  I was so proud that I could yell that loud!

Once we kids at a family reunion was trying to out do each other.  I guess Grandma was watching because she stood up and said, “When you kids can do this, then you can talk”.  She stood with her feet together, hands above her head, bent and her hands were flat on the floor with her legs straight.  I still can’t do it and she was in her seventies.  I am still amazed.

I use to like baby tomatoes and Grandma would call me and tell me that “my tomatoes” were ready.  I’d race down the hill where we would pick them or she would already have them picked and washed.  They’d be in a Folgers can.  We’d sit at the kitchen table talking and eating those baby tomatoes until they were all gone.

Grandma was a strict lady.  There were rules that were never broken.  Such as don’t call her “old lady”.  Ask Donny Stewart (cousin) about that one. That event was the funniest thing to watch. Other rules were, don’t be late for family dinner with prayer and meal at  12 o’clock sharp.  No back sassing.

There’s a story about Grandma and me.  I knew I was in for a spanking and I ran under the highway tinhorns.  I wasn’t about to run out toward Grandma and she wasn’t about to come in or let me get away.  Uncle Fred was there and remembers the story.  And he laughs because two stubborn Robinson ladies, one 5 years old and the other 70, showing that they were made from the same cloth!

I remember Grandma went visiting and it seemed like an eternity before she came back.  I fed her dogs while she was away.  I’d walk around her house missing her.  When she got back, I ran and gave her a big hug and kiss.  It’s the first time I actually remember kissing her.  She actually blushed.  I thought to myself, “She likes it”.  After that, I gave her many hugs and kisses.  As Grandma got older, she became more demonstrative of her affections.

Grandma was diabetic.  Once my dad and brother found her in a sugar coma before church.  Then twice while Leon was visiting her, she would have a spell.  I was working at the hospital when she would come in.  The last time, I saw Leon at the ER doors (he hates hospitals).  He was very shaken when Grandma came into the ER.  Leon went in to see her.  He told her that he’d quit coming to visit if she kept that up.  He wouldn’t, of course, but it got a grin out of Grandma.  I was only assigned Grandma as a patient once.  I’d ask her if I could do this or that for her and she would say, “no, Eva Lee”.  Later that night, I walked in and Rocky Jones, the head nurse, was freshening up Grandma’s bed and giving her a back rub.  I said, “Grandma, you’re going to get me into trouble”. She said, “No, I’m not, Eva Lee.”  Rocky laughed and when we got out of the room, Rocky told me that she understood but that when Grandma was in the hospital, I was to be the boss and Grandma was to be the patient.  I gave Rocky a look that made her laugh again.  “Not likely, even Daddy still minds Grandma!”.  After that I would visit while on duty but never again was she my patient.

One time both Grandmas where in the hospital and they were put in the same room.  I didn’t know that they had shared a house together in Pawnee.  Anyway, the people were talking about how well my grandmas got along.  Actually Granny Farris had been in the nursing home for awhile and didn’t talk much.  Grandma Della took care of Granny and they talked up a storm.  Even if Granny Farris didn’t talk much, she was very alert to everything Grandma Della said.  I thought that was so neat.

One time Grandma Della was in the hospital and she was going to miss a wedding of one of the grandkids.  I told her that when I got married, I didn’t care if she was in the hospital.  She was going to be at my wedding.  Even if I had to hog-tie her and drag her there.  She laughed and said, “Eva Lee, when you get married, I will be there”.  I know she won’t be there physically but I believe that she would be there in spirit.  Grandma has never let me down.

When I joined the navy, while in boot camp, I started writing Grandma and kept on writing to here (believe it or not) almost weekly.  After a while, there wasn’t much to write about to a Grandma so I started writing letters like I was writing to a friend my own age.  After some time passed, I got lazy about writing (surprise, surprise)  When one day I received a letter from Iva Dee, in very shaky handwriting, “We’re getting lazy about writing, aren’t we?”  I had heard a Grandma” tone and straightened up with a “yes, Grandma”.

Once Daddy was fussing about how Grandma was going to call and want her garden tilled.  And that she was too old to be working in a garden.  By George, he just wasn’t going to do it.  Mom and I had been listening to this for about a week.  When one morning the phone range.  Mom was in the kitchen and I was in the bedroom.  Dad answered the phone.  All I hear was “Yes, Ma’am, yes ma’am but …yes, ma’am…be right there…, yes ma’am”  Daddy didn’t say a word except grumble to himself and went into his room.  Put on his boots and started for the door.  I couldn’t help myself even though I knew where he was going and was about to laugh.  I just HAD to ask, “Daddy, where are you going.”  He didn’t even turn around, just stopped at the door. “To till ma’s garden.”  He walked out with both Mom and I laughing until our sides hurt.  Only a mother can make a 65 year old man sound and act like an obedient boy!

When Grandma was around the house, she would wear an everyday dress but when she went to church or to weddings and such.  She was always a “classy lady”.  She dressed “fit to kill”.  Elegance was her style in colors that made her bloom.  She always had great posture and her back was always straight as a rod.  My Grandma was a beautiful lady on the inside and out.  To me, Grandma was a LADY.   She had the spirit of a pioneer woman.  She was a strong, proud woman.  When she talked, she’d roll her eyes back and close her eyes.  I’d very quietly tip-toe around to different places and she’d always follow me with her face.  It was amazing.  When she was through talking on the phone, she’d hang up whether you were through or not.  No good-bys, just click!

She had a very sweet smile and a twinkle in her eyes.  Even as she got older, she had a mind like a steel trap.  It was so impressive that she could remember everyone’s birthday.  Eleven kids, 48 grandkids, and many great grandkids.  I’m so glad that she went to heaven with no pain.

She was an example to us.  She was proud of her family.  She taught us respect and pride to be a part of the Iva Della clan.  Not to try and change one another but to be happy when we’re together.  She didn’t always have tact but she was very honest.  I’m told I’m like her in many ways.  I certainly hope that’s true.  She loved and was loved back.  I am very proud to have been her granddaughter.  She is missed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *