Cold feet

For as far back as i can remember, my grandma Carpenter had a cartoon on the left hand side her freezer door in the kitchen. She had clipped it out of the Sunday funnies and taped it there years ago. The cartoon consisted of a quarter page sized picture of an older couple getting ready for bed. The husband was sitting up under the covers and watching his wife pull on a pair of long, heavy woolen socks. I cannot remember what the caption said, which is sad because I grew up looking at that cartoon and saw it every day for over 2 years when i lived with my grandfather a few years back.

One day I remember asking my grandmother about the cartoon and why she had it taped to the freezer. Now, my grandmother loved to collect things and rarely threw anything away, but the fridge was covered with pictures of the family and magnets--this was the only newspaper clipping displayed. The conversation went something like this:

Grandma, why do you have this cartoon on here?

Well, because I like it.

Why? Why do you like it? It's just a picture of a lady putting socks on.

It reminds me of your grandfather and I. I have very cold feet and your grandfather hates it when I come to bed with cold feet.

That's not exactly how it went, but that's pretty close. This conversation took place over 12 years ago. I also remember her telling me that when I was married I would appreciate this cartoon more. I didn't understand it then and hadn't thought about it much since.

Tonight I was laying awake in bed because the burn on my leg was bothering me. Phil had just come to bed and he was very cold--adding extra blankets cold. He rolled over and was almost asleep when he brought his foot up and placed it on my leg--BRR!!!

What are you doing?

My feet are cold!

You're an evil man...put socks on.

Alas, he did not put socks on or move his foot. The cold slowly dissipated, but as I was laying there I found myself thinking back on the cartoon that is still taped to the door of the freezer in my grandparents house.

Grandma, if you were still here I think you would be happy to know that I do appreciate this cartoon now that I am married and my husband comes to bed with cold feet. I can picture her smiling in appreciation.