Grammie Lee was always a wild and free spirit who loved to play with all kinds of sounds. As kids, we would giggle when she would exaggerate the vibrato in her voice as she sang. We’d snicker when she would hack dramatically into her hankies to clear her throat. And, we would be in stitches when she would try to poot out an S.O.S. on her vinyl divan while passing gas!
Grammie was also famous for bucking her dentures up and down at us kids, while clicking out a haunting “La-La-La-La-La-La!” After her rhythmical chomps, she’d tip her teeth upward in her mouth toward her nose, which looked ridiculously silly, and she’d hum and moan and snort at us! Even though it was a little bit frightening, it was still hilarious! “Do it again, Grammie! Do it again!” we’d shriek.
The sight of it would make us run away and howl with laughter, and sometimes an occasional tear.
I still have a letter Grammie Lee wrote me while I was in college, telling me a story about one of my younger cousins, and her reaction to Gram’s musical dentures. It said:
Apr. 3, 1987
“My Dear “Angel” LaRonda,Want to hear something funny? Well I was visiting at Lynette’s the other day, and Megan climbed up on my lap. I was trotting her on my knees (like I have all you kids), singing silly songs and she was having a ball. I finally said, “That’s enough now Megan.” But she was all keyed up and wouldn’t let me alone. So - I bucked my teeth at her (HA HA), and she fell backwards off my lap, let out a scream, and almost went into convulsions! (HA HA) It scared Dan and Lynette, and boy they came runnin’! Megan got over it quick, but I felt like a jackass! So embarrassed! I wouldn’t have felt so bad, but you know how funny Dan is. I know he must have thought I didn’t have one brain in my head. Kids are so different now. Did I ever scare you like that honey? If so, I’m sorry. Now Megan knew I had false teeth, but she said, “Well Gram, you looked like a monster.” (HA HA) I’m sure I did!
XOXO ~ Gram”
In my mind, I can still hear Grammie’s throaty, musical guffaws, which always followed the bucking of her teeth. Grammie loved to laugh at herself about as much as we loved to laugh at her animated antics. I loved being with my Grammie Lee, almost more than anyone. I like to think I was her most attentive and admiring audience. I think she adored my attention because she loved to perform. Whether it was through song or dance or spinning a tale, she loved an audience, and easily held us captive.
