3rd
This is what my Oma’s (grandma’s for you white folk) backyard looked like when I was a child. And, upon reflection, I’ve found this one characteristic is not the only one that sets my Hungarian grandparents apart from my, shall we say, American ones.
Oma and Opa:
1. Had an army of gnomes patrolling their backyard premises.
2. Made homemade wine until the day they could stomp grapes no more. (And even one year after that happened, had the family do it for them) How many of you can say you’re partaken in the production of homemade wine? I know I used to stomp grapes with my Oma and Opa. Although I was never able to try the fruits of my labor (This wine was about 50% alcohol and tasted like pure death from what I’ve heard), I was truly able to relate to the I Love Lucy episode that placed Lucy in the same situation.
3. How did my Oma teach me about being a generous person? She dressed up like a Hungarian Immigrant, wore a wig, took out her teeth, and wandered up to her house where I was standing outside. She gave me her sad story in the highest pitch of voice and asked for food. What did I do? Take her right inside to find my Oma who I knew would help her out! I think this also taught my parents to talk to me about strangers and what NOT to do with them.
4. Have you ever worn lederhosen? Because I know for a fact that I have. So the female version really isn’t as bad as the male, but still. It’s something not many people can claim. We have a set of male and female lederhosen that are passed throughout the family. My children will wear them with pride someday, too.
5. The polka. Something simple. Something I’ve never seen at any weddings beyond those of my mother’s side of the family. Ah, yes, the polka. Forever will it be ingrained in my mind, as that’s what my Oma sometimes played to help me sleep.
Not too many, but I feel that is enough reasons to prove my point. My quirkiness is not on my own accord. It was trained into me. And I hope you’re ready for it.
