Last week my Grandma Barb would have been 107 years old. I dedicated my second book to her—as well as to my other grandmother, Grandma Joyce—and noted how I like to think I am a good mix of the two.
Grandma Barb had incredible poise and patience. All the time. I try and try to think of a time when she seemed frustrated or lost patience, and I kid you not, I fail every time.
Here is a song I wrote after Grandma Barb died in 2013. It gives just a glimpse of my grandma’s sweet life, married to my Grandpa Helmar for close to sixty-three years, living near the Crazy Mountains of Montana. It offers much joy and hope knowing that someday I will get to see them again.
Little Ditty ‘Bout Helmar and Barb (to the tune of Jack and Diane)
Verse 1: Little ditty
‘Bout Helmar & Ba-arb,
Two American kids growing up
In the Crazy’s backyard
Helmar gonna be
-A- fisherma-an
Barb’ll teach school for a while
Then raise the Branae clan
Chorus:
Oh yeah
Their lives live o-on
Through their kids
Grandkids, & beyond
Oh yeah, you know
Their lives live o-on
Long after they go
You know, they’re never really gone
Verse 2: First comes Gary
And then Shirley Rae-ae
Ten years later Helmar asks,
“Barb, what did you say?!”
Karen Elaine's
A surprise for su-ure,
Barb smiles, nods, & says
“We’ve sure enjoyed her”
Chorus:
Verse 3: The kids finish Rapstad*
Then Sweet Grass High-igh
Say good-bye to the ranch and sheep
And give “town life” a try
Enter Mr. Wiegand
And Linda, too-oo
Grandkids start coming and
Jim & Karen say “I do”
Chorus:
Suckin’ on Werther’s Original
Outside the Frosty Free-eez*
Helmar tells Barb to get the salt
Without even saying please
Helmar sits back
Plays Rummy for a while
Sips on his Root Beer float
Gives his beautiful bride a smile
Bridge: Let them fish
Let them da-ance
Eat lutefisk & watch Lawrence Welk
Whenever they get the cha-aa-ance
Hold on to family as long as you ca-aa-an
Changes come around too soon
Gotta trust in the Plan
Chorus:
Bridge:
Let them fish
Let them da-ance
Eat lutefisk & watch Lawrence Welk
Whenever they get the cha-aa-ance
Hold on to family as long as you ca-aa-an
Changes come around too soon
Gotta trust in The Plan
Chorus:
*Rapstad - a one room schoolhouse near Greycliff, MT
*Frosty Freez - the local cafe & ice cream shop that served people for decades in Big Timber, MT
