Episode 45 - Friends in High Places

Thomas Jefferson once said, "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."  This philosophy (slightly modified) could describe how we deal with Grandma.  The modification would read something like this:  "In matters of grandiose memories, go with the flow; in matters of safety (hers) and survival (ours), you do whatever it takes."

I've mentioned before, Grandma's "connections" with some fairly famous people.  She's golfed with Barack Obama... was taught musical direction by Lawrence Welk... knows many of the musicians on the Gaithers and didn't really know what to think about the accusations about her friend Tiger Woods.  Of course, Ellen DeGeneres has lived in our community for many years.  We let it go.  We smile/smirk... sometimes instant message or text one another (if we are in the same room with her) or simply ignore it and change the subject.  It's the easiest and kindest thing to do.

But there are times when 'easy' is hard, ignoring is impossible and though still being "kind" - we just have to take things a little further.  We want details on the little fantasies that travel through her mind.  Is she 'name dropping' to impress us or does she truly believe what she's saying?  Inquiring minds want to know!

DH and I like the 'reality game shows' like Biggest Loser, Amazing Race and The Apprentice.  We even started watching Dancing with the Stars this year (which Grandma really enjoys).  One night this past week, Grandma stayed up past her bedtime and it just happened DH and I were watching The Apprentice.  She asked us several questions about what was happening on the program and we gave her a quick rundown of the task the two teams had been given to do.  She watched with us quietly until it came time for the board room, at which point, Grandma announced to us that she knows Donald Trump.  We let it pass.  Then again:

G:  Yes, I've known him for years.

Me:  And how do you know Donald Trump?

G:  Well, I didn't know him very well.  I'm sure he wouldn't remember me.

Me:  But you've met him?

G:  Oh yes.  He used to come into the office with the other coaches to see your Dad.  Dad's the one who really knew him.  I just knew him because of Dad.

DH:  That would have been a long time ago.  Glenn's been dead almost 30 years.  Donald Trump would have been pretty young.

G:  Yes, it was a long time ago... but he always liked to stop by and talk to Dad.  He was a coach.

DH:  I think he's in real estate... in New York.

G:  He was a coach when we knew him... and I'm sure he wouldn't remember me.  But he'd remember Dad.

Me:  Donald Trump knew Dad.... ?

G:  Yes.

And there you have it... a little of OUR reality within a reality program.  It's difficult to talk her out of these notions and so we do our best to accommodate her illusions.  I think it's fairly harmless and to quote The Donald:  "Sometimes by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war."

So ends Episode 45