Valentine's Day

By Nancy Bryant in honor of her mother, Betty Benson. Birthdate: May 11, 1922

Dear Annie,

Hi! How are you. We are fine and we hope you are fine too. We hope you have a very nice Valentine Day. I wonder if your school has a Valentine party? Maybe you will have to help your mother make some valentine cookies. I know you would be very good at putting on the frosting.

If you have valentine cookies, be sure to remember to put some cookies outside for Shiny Green Eyes. I think he must be living around your house now as we haven't seen him around here. I think it has been too cold here - and your weather has been much nicer. I remember he particularly likes heart shaped cookies with red frosting.

I remember once Grandpa Charlie put some vinegar in a valentine cookie and then put it outside as a trick. Shiny Green Eyes got so mad when he ate the cookie, he made a big gooey mud pie and threw it at Grandpa Charlie the next time he went outside - it was a terrible mess! So don't try any tricks on him.... or you will be sorry.

We miss you lots and lots and send lots and lots of love and kisses.

When my children were small, I praised my mother one day for her exemplary "grandmothering skills." She brushed off the compliment saying that she had had so little time to be a creative mother, that those energies were just now blooming as a grandmother. And how they did burst forth!

Trips to the farm were adventures in fantasy and theater. There were several times which, prior to the arrival of the grandkids, Mom would outline a play or skit. The kids would then be charged with planning costumes, props, makeup and specific dialogue. The planning occupied days of time and culminated in a grand production.

Then there was the enigma of the barn where the Witch and her son, Shiny Green Eyes, lived. The children knew of these creatures through stories sent in greeting cards as illustrated above.

Since the Witch and Shiny Green Eyes moved away, the stories now feature the stray cats that have moved in, Big and Little Pussems and Yahootee. We all continue to receive tales of the virtuous and naughty deeds of the cats. They also send messages of pride and love and hope.