"I hate country music." This is something I have heard and even said most of my life. But after the passing of my Grandmother, I inherited a bunch of what I couldn't understand: cowboy jewelry?
Growing up in the suburbs of Tempe, Arizona, to me cowboys and boots were nothing more than a style choice. I knew my Grandma was from El Paso, Texas, but I had never really thought about her roots. The only version I knew was the classy but fierce Grandma that just wanted to cook and be with her family.
After I decided to face my fear of the unknown (country culture) I decided to take up country dancing. That was my first real introduction to the rich culture of Texans. In fact, history shows the peaceful natives used the word Thechas, or friends, which the Spanish wrote as Tejas and used as a name for the natives. Then, Tejas converted to Texias by Anglo immigrants, who called themselves Texians for a period before Texans creating the state Texas.
My Grandma had Alzheimer's dementia, which caused a layer between us where I rather be present with her as she is. Because it was already difficult to stay patient with her due to her dementia, I never asked about her past or how she grew up. Instead, I adapted her likes and vocab of which I found everything about her to be endearing. If I were to ask you to "get some pop out the ice box" you might think I'm crazy. All I asked for is soda (Pepsi) from the fridge. Others wonder why I frequent wearing boots, but they haven't seen the size 4.5 bright red and white boots my Grandma had in her closet or how she always wore sharper toed shoes.
While I still don't understand her love for George Strait, I have learned and adopted my Grandma's obsession with Dolly Parton. My dad said his mom was a beautician, and had always wanted to be Dolly. I understand it more, along with western, country, cowboy culture, all because I was curious enough and love my Grandma. I still have so much to learn, but the biggest lesson I've been taught is to go out of my comfort zone, and to continue to seek understanding in all this world has to offer.
Credits:
https://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/cowboyculture.htm