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Cueing Up Real to Reel, In Life Daddy was a Movie Maverick, Momma had a Starring Role
Born in 1917, in Shelby, North Carolina, my Daddy, Felix Buford Grigg, spent almost his whole life imagineering: two drive-ins in Gastonia, NC; one in Lincolnton, NC; the first indoor in Chester, SC; inventions galore; rental houses and property; and the Sea Ray boat business.
The drive-ins began when Daddy was only five, although he couldn’t see it yet. Yes, five. By that time, he was singing and playing his harmonica in front of the corner store for money. He left school in the eighth grade, built a car out of tin cans at 16, and quit the furniture mill as a young man. These early years prepared him to take risks, be his own producer and PR, and believe beyond what he saw in front of his face. Whatever cards were dealt, Daddy decided being a maverick was his ticket to freedom.
World War II started. Daddy could not be a soldier, as he’d had rheumatic fever as a child. This barrier caused him much pain. Going to war was an honor back then. Like the Manners Code of the South, you gave back to what had given to you.
My Momma, Eloise Bynum Grigg, also had a starring “show biz” role. (Age never to be discussed, per her request.) From this point on, she presided over all particulars. My parents decided to leave Lincolnton, NC go to Wilmington, NC. The shipyard was sure sustenance and jobs. Daddy built a trailer, out of tin cans, of course; for their residence. My oldest sister, Felicia, only a toddler, waved a book over Daddy when even the work sweat was sweating. Diane, yes, the very one the Diane 29 Drive-in Theatre was named after, was a war baby. Even if they were alive today and near their 100s, Momma and Daddy would put the internet millionaires to shame. My parents were true originators.
I am ahead of myself. Everything was rationed, then, but Buford and Eloise used their rationale, as they knew their rich dreams would grow, even when they didn’t know how or what they’d be at the time. The means Daddy and Momma achieved the impossible feat of reaching Wilmington was by driving at night, so no one would see them. They drove through fields, or off the roads, and slept in the day, to avoid the police. They got gas by tipping the gas pumps at night, and leaving coin on the pumps. Back then, tipping meant draining gas from the hose pipe, and, whatever you took, yu left enough for someone else. Bologna sandwiches were their four food groups.
Daddy made supervisor in the shipyard. Momma was CEBB (Chief Executive Baby Watcher and Bookkeeper,) budgeting and socking (literally) the money away. This began their lifelong business and team partnership. Daddy’s creativity and Momma’s mathematical nurturing was an unbeatable force.
It was sticky hot, boring and grueling on top of those ships for everybody. Unless, of course, my Aunt Boots, my Mother’s sister, was threatening or using her welding gun in the private sector of a man, who was a little too drunk or wanted to paw. Daddy mused this breeze couldn’t be the world’s amusement forever. It sure did draw a crowd though…
Daddy, full of ideas, pondered outside optimism and entertainment.
My parents lived something that we struggle with today – adventuring our own scripts. One of the famous family quotes was always, “What goes around comes around.” When we (writer and readers), drive in our futures through our imaginations, how do we know where the vision will stop? My parents never knew and had no fear. You have to at least try it, or you “want” know what happens. When you really crave it, sweat isn’t hard labor. My parents saw the dream when they ate, played, worked or slept. It was the only show up technique Buford and Eloise ever used.
Daddy and Momma always thought about all of the parts of their life shipping them out to a new destiny. Put some drive in your dreaming, with the gear shift in forward. It’s your movie, baby!
About the Author
Adventure World Child Development Center | Wilmington NC