During my dialysis nurse days, I became very fond of Mrs. Johnson, an elderly lady who was a frequent admit to the hospital. She remained matter-of-fact, even when very sick. I expect Mrs. Johnson had had occasion to learn complaints availed her nothing.
Her father had married her off to Mr. Johnson, a man in his thirties, when she was only thirteen. Over the years she gave birth to twenty-one children. “It wasn’t so bad,” she explained. “I was only pregnant nineteen times. I had two sets of twins.”
“Mr. Johnson beat me all the time.” She said.”I was so glad when he had a stroke an’ I could beat him. I beat him ever’day after that.” .
I surmised Mrs. Johnson suffered in relationships with her children as she was careful to bring her purse with her to dialysis. “I don’t nobody gitten’ my money. I got a bunch of wuthless kids.” She also used that enormous black purse to hide away her snuff. For those of you who don’t know, snuff is smokeless tobacco to be tucked in the cheek, then spat into a cup, not swallowed. It’s a nasty habit I made a point to ignore, inferring Mrs. Johnson’s life had held too little pleasure.
Though I made a point not to acknowledge the bulge in Mrs. Johnson’s cheek nor her spitting, I made sure I knew I always had a pocket full of gloves and knew where that spit cup was at all times.
Nutsrok 
Mrs Johnson sounds like a strong from a time when women just coped because what else could they do. I have heard of snuff and think hat a disgusting habit
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I don’t think Mrs. John son got many breaks. I wasn’t about to interfere with her pleasure in that snuff.
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Synchronistic to my own early morning post today, “Over Throne” ✨
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Good gracious!!
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I featured you today.
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Mrs. Johnson was one tough lady 🫡 Love her spirit and determination. You’re an amazing nurse for showing her kindness and understanding.
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I wanted to take care of her and not add to her troubles. She’d not had much from life.
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What a sad sad life. I take it there is more about mrs. Johnson. On to her next story.
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I will have to tax my brain. I took care of her for years. I hope she’s in heaven now, unfettered by a mean husband and “wuthless” children.
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Some sail through life like a kite gliding glorious winds, while others flounder, grounded at all times
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Poor Mrs. Johnson. I never saw her life get better, yet she was a person of strong faith.
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I have a couple of snuff jars that are over a 100 years old. Very addictive stuff.
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I didn’t know if there would be anyone around who knew about snuff. We used to go to one aunt who always used them for dring glasses. I will be telling her stories later.
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Oh, yes there were many in my gramps family, he had 16 siblings and his parents also dipped snuff. It a filthy habit bit I find the empty jars as a nice reminder of my family and days gone by. I also have an empty glass milk bottle fromt he days when it was delivered to your house. I like antiques with good stories attached.
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Me, too. They don’t have to be pristine. It’s life.
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I cherish my grandma’s pickle jar.
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A doctor once told my grandmother to dip snuff to treat gum disease. She didn’t do it.
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Good decision on her part.
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