Our family had a close relationship with the Price family from as early as I can remember, but the relationship became much closer when my sister Jean became a caregiver (a word we didn't use in the 1950's) for Mrs. Ramage.  She sat with Mrs. Ramage after school (after Anna, the maid left) until some member of the family came from work.  Jean started this when she was 15 years old, and it continued throughout her high school years.   Luckily for me she did a lot of tender loving care, and because I was her little sister I was offered the job when Jean graduated from high school in 1956.

Mrs. Ramage, Mamie Gertrude Price, was in her youth, a vibrant young woman who became a classical pianist, and later taught not only her children to play piano, but was a sought after piano teacher in Nashville.  At some point after the birth of her children and in her adult life she was stricken with a paralysis which left her an invalid.   Fortunately, her mind was untouched by this disease, and she remained clear and quick of thought.  

She became my friend, mentor and counselor.   I was influenced by her in so many ways.  Our afternoons were full of joy, story telling (my telling her my activities) and my reading to her.  Our afternoon began with ice cream floats.   She preferred Dr. Pepper, and I had Coke.   I mixed these in her kitchen, which was unique.   The cabinets were very low.  Mrs. Ramage was a tiny woman, and her husband Burley was a carpenter.   He built the cabinet to fit her.  I thought that was marvelous.    

After our floats, if there was a new Readers Digest, I started on whichever story she wished to hear.   I learned so much from reading to her.  She helped me with pronounciation, vocabulary, comprehension.   I attribute most of my ability to read and comprehend to her.   If I saw a movie, she wanted me to tell her the story.   She told me that I told wonderful stories.   I think she was a terrific psychologist.   I am not sure that my story telling was that great, but she made me believe that it was.  

One day we were talking about names.   I don't remember how this came up, but she said, "I think  Charlotte is the most beautiful name there is and Brenda is the second most beautiful name."  Charlotte was her first daughter, so I could understand that.   But, her other daughter was Nancy, and I couldn't imagine that she thought my name was more beautiful than Nancy.   She insisted that she loved my name second best.   I really think she was playing the great psychologist and building my self esteem.  It really worked.   I have always had a good self image.  I have never really cared for my name, but Mrs. Ramage made me feel good about myself.