aches her destination, she informs the attendant of her presence but forgets why she is there. "With her hands on her knees, the old woman waited, silent, erect and motionless, just as if she were in armor (163)." After a few minutes, the nurse reminds Phoenix of her purpose and her face lights up. "I remembers so plain now. I not going to forget him again, no, the whole enduring time (164)." Phoenix apologizes for being forgetful and vows to never forget her grandson again. The nurse hands Phoenix the medicine and she strains her eyes in an attempt to see the label. The attendant offers Phoenix a few pennies. "It's Christmas time, Grandma, said the attendant. Could I give you a few pennies out of my purse (164)?" But the witty old woman cons the nurse out of a nickel instead. Phoenix taps her makeshift cane and readies to leave. She has already decided on how she is going to spend her "newly found" treasure. "I going to the store and buy my child a little windmill they sells, made out of paper. He going to find it hard to believe there such a thing in the world (164)." Knowing that it is Christmas, the loving grandmother is going to buy a gift for her grandson. "Phoenix's act of love and compassion is primary to the story: the deep-grained habit of love (CLC 419)." Indeed, Phoenix's love for her only living relative is her greatest strength of all. Although the ragged old woman suffers from many handicaps, she starts her journey mentally prepared for the obstacles awaiting her. Phoenix summons her inner strengths and prevails over every barrier. She relies on her trustworthy feet to make up for her impaired vision. Her wit makes up for her frail body. Her determination makes up for her aged memory. But most of all, her love for her grandson her keeps her going. Clearly, the frail, forgetful, stubborn and loving old woman can overcome anything. Works Cited Ford, Richard. "Bonhomie For A Southern Belletrist." New Yorker 19 Feb. 1996: 36....
