Isn't this a beautiful photo? When I see light rays like this, I can't help but think of heaven.
It’s been a wild couple of weeks, folks.
Things around here have been non-stop.
My grandmother passed away, and in the midst of everything else I’ve had going on, I’ve been helping to get ready for her funeral service which was held today.
It was a beautiful celebration of her life and although I’ll miss her, I know she’s in heaven, reunited with my granddaddy, healed of Alzheimer’s, and in the presence of our Lord!
But I’m t.i.r.e.d. Stress and a very, very packed schedule has zapped me, so I’m running a little low on pithy and interesting.
I’m pumped, though. It’s Spring Break this week, so I’m planning on using this time to cross a few things of my ever-growing “To Do” list. (Seriously, is there a time in life where the list is actually short?)
But since I have loving grandparents on the brain, I’ll leave it up to you. In the comments, answer the following question. I may end up building an entire post (or three) around you. 🙂
Share with me: What’s a favorite memory you have with one of your grandparents?
Hale and Hearty Words 
My mom’s mom and dad owned some acres of land in South Carolina. They named the property Rocky Dundee. My favorite memory is when they let me have a picnic outside on some huge rocks next to a pond. It was so fun! I loved exploring their property and collecting rocks.
So sorry that you lost your grandmother recently. My Papa used to have a cocker spaniel he loved. It was always sitting up in his big recliner with him. He was such a sweet man.
I love to hear wonderful stories of how special and meaningful the grandparent grandchild relationship is. Growing up, I thought I had good relationships with my grandparents, but as events took place, I realized that even though someone is labeled a grandparent, love is still a choice. Choosing self over grandchild is a horrible state for a young one, but healing can occur over time. My grandparent grandchild memories now take the shape of how my parents (my dad especially) interact with my sisters children. I see how grandparents are supposed to love their grandchildren and it gives me hope for my future children. The pure joy I saw on my dad’s face when he held my niece when she was a little girl is a look I am anxious to see when ‘papa’ holds his next grandchild!
Lori- that’s a wonderful thought!! 🙂 I understand your other point, too. I’ve had 3 very amazing grandparents, but one who chose not to be involved in our lives at all. Even though I only met him once, it hurts to know that he’s gone and I never really knew him. It hurts more to know how much it hurt my dad that he chose not to be a part of any of our lives.
Thinking of you and hoping you can recall some sweet moments you shared with your grandma. I like how my grandfather would send my hysterical notes–even in college he’d have my friends laughing. And he’d sign, “Your little cousin Freddy”.
~ Wendy
Wendy- this sounds just like something my own grandaddy would have done. This memory made me smile.
I couldn’t pick just one memory if I had to. My entire childhood revolved around being with my grandparents. Although my Grannny is still living and there is still time to be shared, we lost my Pawpaw a few years ago (this month). I think of the memories more and more especially now that I have a little one on the way. My memories include camping and fishing, Easter egg hunts, my Pawpaw’s huge personality that never went unnoticed, handmade blankets, sleeping bags, and playhouses. It is funny how the simplest things are what you remember most. I wish peace for you and your family during this time and may you always have good memories of your grandparents!
My grandpa was the greatest. Best memory. When he came to grandparents day wearing a cowboy hat and told everyone in my class, including my teacher, that he was a real-live cowboy. I was the coolest kid for the whole day. My grandpa was a big-time jokester.
It’s not so much a specific memory, but a lifelong string if memories that makes my heart ache to see him again. My granddaddy always had a somewhat mischievous grin on his face. With that grin came a witty sense of humor that kept you on your toes! He never met a stranger and you literally never knew where or who he’d run into that he knew from school, the Army or the National Guard. I loved the way you saw how much he loved my grandmother. As a youngster, he always had a pack of Juicy Fruit in his pocket just for me. He called me “PeeWee”-he was the only one who could call me that. He’s been gone almost 12 years. I still miss him. I think I need some Juicy Fruit…
My Grandmother was my favorite person in the entire world. She always took the time to make sure I knew that she loved me and that she was proud of me. Growing up I would spend the night at her house on Friday nights. It was our special time together. My younger sister who followed me around and copied everything I did was afraid to stay away from home. So it was just me and Grammy. She’d let me stay up late and for breakfast we’d have omlets and coffee if I promised not to tell my mother about the coffee. She’s been gone for three years now and I miss her everyday. She taught me to cook and I always called her for advice. I still find myself reaching for the phone to ask her about a recipe every now and then. My mother says I’m a lot like my Grammy and I am so proud of that.
I love how so many of you have wonderful memories of your grandparents!It’s proof that grandparents play such an important role in our lives. Keep ’em coming!
one of my fav memories was of my mother’s father. we called him granddaddy. we visited over the weekends a lot, since they only lived an hour away. granddaddy always asked my brothers, “why you wearing those sacks?” and he was referring to their pants/shorts. he called them “sacks,” which is in and of itself funny. but one weekend, my middle brother kelly cut up a paper grocery sack and fringed the ends. when we arrived at granddaddy’s, he slipped them on over his shorts and walked in wearing a real pair of sacks. my granddaddy was speechless!! it was priceless. truly a great memory for all our family who witnessed it. we laughed so hard. 🙂
My grandparents have played a pivotal role in shaping who I have become. Three of my grandparents were alive when I was born, and all three are still alive to this day and able to live independently. They have also all always lived in the same city as me.
When we have family events at my parents house- all grandparents were all there all together. Birthday, Christmas, Easter, Sundays, you name it. Yes- I now realize this is not the norm for most families- but it always worked in ours.
I have one grandfather- “Granddaddy” and two grandmothers- Janie and Millie. They started out as Grandmama Janie and Grandmama Millie- but my brothers and I were lazy and dropped grandmama.
My dad’s mother- Millie- is energetic and independent and talkative. Yes- I know the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. She became a widow in her early 30s. Among the fun memories I have were going to her house and playing on the player piano, and dressing up in her square dancing skirts. She also used to take us to McDonalds to get milkshakes. She would drive us around and roll down the windows and encourage us to sing at the top of our lungs. You’re a Grand ole Flag and I’ve Been Working On the Railroad were her favorites. She remarried when I was in the 5th grade. She had her wedding in the back room at Bonanza. Yes. Bonanza. It is never boring when she is around.
My mom’s parents are Janie and Granddaddy. They will celebrate their 70th anniversary in May. My grandfather could fix anything. My grandmother could cook anything. I learned a lot – but not nearly enough- about cooking from observing her. They lived on a busy street with a screen porch when I was really young. We would spend a lot of time watching the cars go by. They would let me watch soap operas- and would discuss the characters- as they were faithful fans for many years.
We shared hundreds of meals with Janie and Granddaddy- they took care of my brother when he got out of school. It started off at their house. My grandmother would be ready to start making supper for her and my grandfather before my mom made it to pick up my brother- so she would invite us to stay. My mom convinced her after about a week of that- to just head over to our house with my brother about 5:00. We had family dinner with my grandparents almost every weeknight for countless years. Multi-generational meals have a huge impact on perspective. They also would take care of me when I was sick. They took me to countless doctor and orthodontist appointments. I return the favor occasionally for them now. They were truly a second set of parents to me.
They are all living independently which is amazing, but I do recognize a steady decline in energy, mobility, and health. They are all getting frail. I know I have been a very lucky girl to have them as an integral part of my life.
Rather than close this out with anything too weepy or mushy- I’ll share a somewhat recent story that involves all of them- plus my Uncle Sam. I could write a blog just on him. I made sweet potato souffle for Christmas several years back. My uncle said – these are so good- in the old days on a ship – they’d call these front cabin- because only the people in the front would get them- they would be eaten by the time they got to the back. One of my grandmother’s said- Top Cabin? I’ve never heard that expression before. My other grandmother said to her – Hot Cabbage? If you want hot cabbage- you should eat kimchi- it is really hot. I remember looking at my dad and my grandfather and them just shaking their heads in amusement…that my sweet potatoes had just been compared to kimchi. I may not have a modern family- but there might be a sitcom in this somewhere.