Sit down and get comfortable while I tell you how I came to love Lady Gaga. She entered my life a few years ago, and I just don’t know what I’m going to do about her.
It all has to do with some major plans of my older granddaughter, beautiful of course, and how she came to her senses and, despite her gentle nature and desire never to hurt anyone on this earth, dumped the guy she had thought at one time she loved beyond any. Allison Rose Brady made a decision that had a ripple effect that was not entirely unpleasing.
And the somewhat dramatic dumping took place just before the beautifully planned wedding was to happen!
Most of us – her family and friends – who had no liking for the young man (I learned that his idea of a job was to be a telemarketer from his easy chair, once married and ensconced in the bedroom of the home his mother was to give him!) were praying for enlightenment, and were overjoyed at the news.
Her younger sister, who had invested heavily in the perfect dress and lots of other important items for her sister’s soon to be event, was not so!
We all got over the cancellation – some called it disappointing, but most called it Oh Joyous Day and continued to remark upon our good fortune,
Allison soon accepted a great job in Los Angeles where she happily made new friends and drew the attention of her superiors who showed confidence by promoting and praising her.
Not long after her move, I found out that “Cosmopolitan” Magazine was interested in interviewing her and several other women who had decided at the last minute to forego the act of marriage after long engagements and long periods of preparation.
One day my Granddaughter telephoned, and I could tell from her tone that she had something good to tell me. She informed me that her story of Runaway Almost Bride was out and the magazine was on the newsstands. Then, in a near-whisper that was almost apologetic, said: “Grandpa, I hope it doesn’t embarrass you, but Lady Gaga is on the cover.”
I got myself down to the grocer’s and proudly bought a couple of copies. And the lovely and colorful Lady Gaga did indeed occupy the cover. The two copies of the magazines are safely somewhere in my house as we speak.
Anyhow, after that gentle introduction, I began to notice the lady with the manufactured label and to admire her not-so-great-voice-but-she-carries-it-off –just- great performances. She handles that whole “Lady Gaga” thing well, don’t you think? Tony Bennett and I do.
And now, Lady Gaga has achieved greatness! I see that she is to be the principal performer (except for the banging together of bigger bodies between the officials’ whistles) at the Super Bowl. I have every confidence in her – she will do a great job. She will be dressed outlandishly but safely and there will be no clothing malfunctions. And she will not dive too deeply into politics nor take a knee.
As for my Allison, today she has an even better job up in God’s Country, which she confesses is called Portland, In fact, she was recently promoted to supervisor. Lee and I will spend a couple of days with her in Ashland in late February, as we have arranged for a weekend sharing stories and attending a few hours of Shakespeare.
But, to show you that my beautiful daughter is no one-trick lady, here is a poem she wrote while still in high school. She is a bright and happy young lady with a knock-out smile, and she is the most gentle and loving of creatures.
(At the time of the poem, she had two grandmothers and two grandfathers.)
My Great Family
My Daddy –
his greenish hazel eyes,
the way he acts around people,
the smell of manly cologne,
the way his personality is like mine –
so shy.
My Mother,
the smell of burnt hair
on the curling iron
as she sprays on her
aromatic perfume,
and telling me before school
in her own words
You should always know
that I love you.
The way my Granny’s cabbage rolls smell
greeting me into the house,
her puffy white hair.
Blue eyes gaze at me for daily visits.
My Aunt’s favorite recipe,
chocolate chip cookies
as the ocean shone from her window,
listening to the waves awake
and the sunrise like a big orange.
My Little Sis,
sweet smelling
as she hands me the mail after school,
always pouting about the dinner,
always secretly talking upon the walls at night.
Coffebreath Grandma
kissing me as a greeting,
introducing every month a new play,
trying to curl her caramel glazed hair to impress
as she keeps her birdlike body in shape –
every day in the gym
and extreme walking five miles when I visit.
And those GRANDPAS – gotta love ‘em!
– Allison Rose Brady
(PS)
(Lady Gaga knocked it out of the park (to use a sports metaphor, although not a football one). She flew in over the top, dropped back and launched herself for more than a few first downs. She was not tackled, even once, and she kept her wardrobe to herself!
So, the Super Bowl is over and millions are happy, and an equal number or more are still sobbing. One of the happiest viewers is yours truly. Lady Gaga did not disappoint! Wasn’t she just fantastic? Can you see how I came to love that lady?)
