20 Comments
User's avatar
26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Coming to this late, and my heart is so full after reading and listening...! Love to you and all of yours, Jeni.

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Oh!! Thank you, Elizabeth the poet ♥️ We send love right back to you and yours 💕 Plus hello to the broom who Mawmaw Margie would have loved.

Expand full comment
Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

They say the devil is in the details but so is the delight. Your stories are so wonderful with all the precious memories you have. I'm especially fond of the idea of wrapping framed photos in plastic wrap. I mean, why haven't I thought of that? Love you, my friend.

Expand full comment
India Flint's avatar

I love this not just for the story and the song but because it transported me back to 1986 when I shared a house with my friend Yasmin and she had an actual banana phone and my Border Collie dog would mimic its (rather unusual) ringtone and have us running down the hall to take a call that wasn’t there.

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Oh my goodness!! That is the best story, India! I had no idea there were actual banana phones. And a Border Collie who can do banana phone impersonations takes the cake. Mawmaw Margie would have loved this! She loved to laugh.

Expand full comment
India Flint's avatar

Yup. It was a splendid plastic banana with a green curly cord….

Expand full comment
Jed McGahern's avatar

Endlessly fascinating are the tales of your life and your family Jeni

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Hugs, Jed! Thank you for always being my friend and encouraging me.

Expand full comment
Pete's avatar

You had me at Red Sox fan. Cheers Mawmaw Margie, happy birthday. Sounds like my kinda gal. Pictures, story, song = classic Jeni. ❤️

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

So happy we’re both Red Sox fans, Pete! I loved watching baseball on the TV in the summers. Mawmaw Margie used to give us popsicles and turn on the fan while we jumped up and down for the Red Sox!

Expand full comment
Daniel Jackson's avatar

I liked that Mamaw song. My Grandma ClaraBelle was my best friend for life. Traveling in the Airstream for 18yrs helped me understand some about why people seem to always go back to their roots. Your songs makes me miss the mountains, but every time I go back, I can't find where it was. But I'm fixin to go back soon ! 😊

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

I love your grandmother’s name. And I love that she was your best friend for life. That says all that I feel perfectly. I’m so glad you’re my friend, Daniel. We’ll both keep looking for those mountains.

Expand full comment
Simon Brooks's avatar

Beautiful beautiful song, and a wonderful story of love, if sad. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

That's very kind, Simon. She was a beautiful and, sometimes, sad lady and I am so glad you heard it all. Thank you very much for listening.

Expand full comment
Carol's avatar

I love this song! Hearing about your family always reminds me of home. And that’s a special delight, as “home” seems very far away both in distance and in time these days. ❣️

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Oh, Carol. I know just what you mean about the distance and time. I never knew that my childhood could feel so far away. I think that's why I have re-kindled my doll collecting. I used to collect them when I was little and interacting with them and the bears takes me back in my mind. I miss all of the little things too like my plastic purse, the tiny chair I sat in, and the fly-swatter hanging on the wall. I'm glad we share this connection and that you understand. I'm sending you a big hug.

Expand full comment
Ambermoggie's avatar

Happy birthday Mawmaw Margie and thank you Jeni for your writings.

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Thank you very much for reading and listening. x

Expand full comment
Jill Beech's avatar

one of my favourite songs of yours - your email made me smile ;THANK YOU

Expand full comment
Jeni Hankins's avatar

Thank YOU so much, Jill. I always like knowing what people’s favourite songs of mine are. It’s one of my favourites to sing because it goes very high and low!

Expand full comment