The “Sack-rattler”

© Dr. Gary D. Lemmons, November 26, 2006

My grandmother was a “sack-rattler.”

In order for this statement to make sense…especially to anyone born after 1980…I have to tell you that it once was when you went into a grocery store and made purchases, the clerk…what we used to call the cashier…would place your items in a brown paper sack.  If you purchased fruit, produce, candies, or other assorted items, these had already been put in smaller sacks.  Ultimately, the whole “bill of groceries” was packaged up into a bag or bags…depending upon how much you bought…that you could manage to unload when you got home.  In most grocery stores, there were “bag boys,” who would pack your items and help you “tote” your goods to the car, and, if not, the store manager, who almost always was the owner, would help you.

Store owners were jealous with their brown paper bags and sacks back then.  Many were the “bag boys,” who were reprimanded for putting too “few” items in the bag.  Those sacks cost money!

Today, we have the wonder of plastic.  Most grocery stores have eliminated the use of brown paper bags and have gone to the flimsy, yet durable, plastic sack.  Unfortunately, today’s trend is to put one item in each plastic bag resulting in 10 containers for seven items.   Of course, in the modern “convenience stores”, you are fortunate to get a bag of any kind.  Many have been the times that I have purchased four or five items at some “convenience store” only to have some cashier stare at me with witless surprise when I have requested a bag.    But I digress.

In those days of yesteryear, people kept fruit, produce, and candies in those smaller brown paper sacks previously mentioned.  Not everything had to be refrigerated back then, so, it was not uncommon for folks to keep stuff in their pantries or kitchen cabinets.

My grandmother, like me, slept very little.  While often in bed by 7:30 P.M., it was not uncommon to hear her stirring around at 10:00 P.M. or even at midnight.  Of course, she was always up and preparing the breakfast for my grandfather by 4:30 A.M.   While she never suffered from my weight problem, she certainly is responsible for my “snacking” habit.  On those nightly wanderings, she would invariably seek out a piece of fruit or a chocolate drop…one of her favorite candies.  The rattle of a brown paper sack was a sure sign that Granny was up and about.

If other family members happened to get up and join her, she would make sure that they enjoyed a bit of whatever treat she was having…even if it was near midnight.  While they were snacking, they talked…not about the great issues of the world…but about the common, mundane issues of daily life..  Granny never offered all that much advice, but she listened a lot.  As a consequence, when she did talk, others listened.

My youngest daughter is a “sack-rattler.”  Being in the entertainment field, she is accustomed to carrying a lot of stuff in bags.  Of course, her bags are of the plastic venue.

My four year old granddaughter is a “sack-rattler.”  Even at her young age, she hoards her belongings and keeps up with things in small bags.

When I hear that noise generated by the girls clamoring among their treasures and belongings, I remember the original “sack-rattler” in my life and I smile.