sketches of a bipolar girl: Nana

I want my nana. I need a little solace. She was always there for me. Nana and Poppop lived in a section of Philadelphia called Germantown. They had a nice big house, but no yard. The side and back of the house were all blacktop so that you could park the car off the street. Off the street parking is a very big deal. They had a 3 car garage. They had a closed in front porch, and had rocking chairs. We would sit on the porch talking to the people that went by on the way home. There was a butcher shop 2 blocks over. Nana would always take me with her when she went there. Once, I went there by myself to get some bacon. I remember the smells of the shop, especially when they were making the sausage. The air was heavy with spices. I remember walking up to the counter and got a ticket. I saw a tongue in the case one time. Poppop told me that people ate it. I didn't believe it at first, but Nana confirmed the story. They never lied to me, so if they said something was so, then it was so. When it was time to shop for school, Christmas and Easter, Nana took us downtown to JC Penney, John Wanamaker's and Strawbridge and Clothiers. Nana had charge accounts there. The was before women could have credit cards issued in their own names. We would have lunch at the Woolworth cafeteria. I always got grilled cheese and a Pepsi. No Coke in the Briggs house. To this day, my dad still drinks only Pepsi. When summer came, we would sit on the porch and wait for the Mr.Softee man. I always got chocolate with rainbow jimmies. Upon the sugar crash, I fell asleep. Even as an adult, I took naps at Nana' s house. We would talk about everything. Sometimes, I cried and she would hold me. She smelled like roses and body powder. She was my southern Nana and I also had a northern Grandmom. Both of them represent different aspects of home. I really wish they were still physically here so I can get some hugs and sound advice. I just wish I could talk to them, just for a minute.