An elephant has a very large brain for its size and the ‘temporal lobe’ region responsible for memory is more developed with a greater number of folds – this results in powerful abilities to ‘download’ important survival data, such as who is friend or foe.The ease at which my grandmother could fall asleep in the most random of situations makes me believe she possessed some of these same qualities. I saw her take an Elsie nap at Petermeir’s funeral home. At Jerry’s Jack and Jill. In a chair for sale at the neighbor’s auction. In the back seat of the car while we were being pulled over by the highway patrol. At the kitchen table during a dice game. In the police station in Wisconsin during a snowstorm. In the church basement. In the Herberger’s basement. In her basement, while guests wandered above.

I envied this about her. This trust. This comfort. This certainty of the friendly place. She, having never used a computer, was able to ‘download’ all of this survival data. Knowing where she was safe enough to rest her weary eyes. I write of her again and again, hoping the words bring that same knowledge to all of us. 

I suppose it’s always the matriarchs of the herd. They say that during droughts, these grandma elephants lead family members to watering holes by recalling detailed maps they’ve made spanning hundreds of kilometres. I say it’s even more than that. Grandma Elsie is still leading me. I am a country and a lifetime away, and she guides me to the safe places. The resting places. I, we, live a little easier, because of her.