An Inheritance

Chapter 19

“I’m wondering … you knew her well … in her lock box, there were a number of ledgers with people’s names …”

Odilia smiled gently.  “Your grandmother was a real asset to many of the people out here near the bayou.  She knew a great deal about the healing properties of herbs and plants.  Those probably were her records of those she helped.  She was very meticulous.”

“Yes, Pastor Paul mentioned she helped people, but I hadn’t realized to what extent.”

“She provided a very valuable service around here.  Alma was what we called ‘a healer’, someone who was sought after by people who normally couldn’t afford modern-day physicians or their medications.  This healing trait has been handed down for generations within your family.”

Healer?  “Yes, well, Pastor Paul did tell me how an ancestor cured one of the Arsenault’s wives during an epidemic.  I knew Grand-mere’s herbs and plants weren’t just for cooking, I was already familiar with some of the uses, like dandelion for digestion, slippery elm for sore throats and bronchitis, cayenne for headaches or to boost circulation.  But there were many more I was unfamiliar with.” 

“Up until the end, your grandmother read extensively and went beyond the bayou to find better remedies than what her mother had taught her.  In that greenhouse, you’ll find herbs and plants from South America, China, India, and Indonesia; anywhere that had other alternatives than what was normally grown right here.”

“I’ve been reading up on some of them and I find it really fascinating.”  Lauren paused and added in haste.  “I just hope no one comes by expecting me to help them, because that little gene missed both my mother and me.”

Odilia raised her eyebrows.  “Are you sure?  I wouldn’t count that out.”

Lauren sat back and studied her guest.  She was so calm and assured, Lauren felt at a disadvantage.  Yes, both her and her mother had an affection for plants and all things that grew, but a healer?  She thought back and actually couldn’t remember going to the doctor’s when she was young, her mother always seemed to know what to do and gave her home remedies when she was ill.  Okay, so her Mom used natural medications instead of using store-bought drugs, that just made her a more attuned Mom.  But she reasoned, ‘a healer’ is just a term … something to differentiate someone who used home-grown remedies from a real doctor … that made sense.

Odilia seemed to let Lauren digest that and continued.  “People from all over the parish and even farther, would come to her first, especially those with little or no money; many of them inhabitants of the bayou.  Your grandmother could do just about anything with the herbs and plants she grew, she was really amazing.  Most of these were families she’s treated, along with your ancestors, for generations.”

“But, what happened when it was something serious, she could actually do more harm than good.”

“Now, don’t get me wrong, when Alma knew that traditional medicine was needed, she referred them to one of the local clinics or hospital.  She never tried to take over the role of a doctor with very ill people, or gave any false hope or promises.  But she was a healer, and knew the curing property of herbs, plants and roots.  And for as long as I knew Alma, she never got that distinction wrong.  She also would help with general wellness, making sure people knew about balanced meals, supplements and cleanliness.” 

“So, did she ever charge money …?”

“Oh, no, never.  Not only would that have gotten her in trouble with the law, but that was never her concern.”  Odilia’s face held a very gentle smile, one that portrayed her love for Alma.  “Her only concern was the people that lived here; these were her family as much as anyone else.  When Alma died, it left a big gap in the bayou.  People were used to coming to her with their complaints.”