I was thinking of our Grandparents the other day.
I remember Grandpa Johnston sitting in his chair, puffing on his pipe, creating that huge plume of smoke around his head. He always had this slight smile on his face, kinda like he was happy just sitting in the middle of his family and watching us kids run around.
Grandma J. was always moving or talking or getting something. She always had a word for us, know what I mean? She would say something about our life or family, kinda for you to grab and hold onto. I remember when we were on our way to Florida and Kris told her that we were headed to a huge sandbar with no good dirt. A few months later we received a jar of dirt from Grandma's garden. Kris laughed and promptly poured it into our garden.
Grandpa Waight was always so quiet. He would say hi to Dad and Dad would always call him Jack. I always thought that was odd, cuz his name was Grandpa. I remember the stories about Grandpa that mom would tell.
I don't know about you, but Grandma Waight struck the fear of God into me till I was about 13. when I figured out that she wasn't going to kill me, I really got to know her and laughed a lot with her. I also got to see just how close she and mom were. I really enjoyed my teen years getting to know her. She died too early.
I know that Ron and Deb got to know Grandma J. real well. I think that Rich and Grandma W. had a special connection. Any one else have that moment with a Grandparent?
I also think about out parents as Grandparents. They are so different than than what their parents were.
This is not a critique, just an observation of different generations. Our parents seem closer to their grand kids. Maybe they have more time and fewer grand kids? Maybe the generations change the way they relate? I don't know, but I do know I like the way my kids grandparents interact with them. I like the way my kid's talk about their grandparents a lot. They ask where Mom and Don are this year. they talk about visiting Mom and Don in MN. They see Dad and Myrna twice a year. They just really enjoy those old people. I am guessing it is because those old people have impressed them in good ways. They have shown my kids love.
What are we going to be like? (Not that I am eager to find out) I see Deb with her Grand kids and they seem very close. By the way, the fastest growing population in America is Grandparents raising grand kids. It is starting to overwhelm the social services.
I just wonder...
Dave
4 comments:
I knew great grandma really well. I remember going to her house when I was a little kid. Playing on the swings and what not. The only memory of great grandpa I really have is the say he passed, I'd rather not go into that. Grandma Lou and Grandpa Don... I have yet to see them this year. I cannot recall the last time I have seen them. But they, as well as Grandpa Larry and Myrna are a big part of my life. They all have been there for me when I needed help or had a question about something. I am lucky to have all of my grandparents at my age, a lot of my friends do not have any grand parents left. So to my grandparents, thank you so much for all that you have done!
Brandi
Grandma and Grandpa Johnston
The smell of pipe tobacco, fresh baked bread and lilacs, hearing the canary and the chiming clock, seeing the'angel eyes' on the wall in the kitchen early in the morning, looking at the scene painted on the soffits in the kitchen,g-pa's crossword puzzles, listening to stories of family history from grandma and grandpa, there is so much more. All of these things were 'Memories in The Making'.
Grandpa was a very wise man...I realize that now more than I ever did when I was younger. He had some wonderful stories about his boyhood and his son's!
Grandma Johnston was very special to me! I am so thankful that I got to talk with her a few days before she died. Brandi and I went to her house. I was able then to tell her what she meant to me and how much she had taught me about the simple pleasures in life. We discussed birds and flowers all the time not to mention craft projects. We both had a soft heart for injured wild animals. Grandparents are special!
Grandma and Grandpa Waight
The smells of coffee and cigarettes and laundry drying on the clothesline,hearing cards shuffle or dice rolling, stories about Mom..oh, the stories lol.
Grandpa would sing me an indian lullabye when I was pg with Katie. I never understood a word of it lol He told me his mother used to sing it to him when he was young.
Grandma...she was always so full of life that ended far too soon. Her death was the biggest shock to me out of all of our grandparents.
I miss them all.
Grandma Waight was my favorite, although I loved them all in different ways. I do remember Grandpa Johnston's pipe and him sitting there watching everybody with that grin/smirk on his face. Do you guys remember? I remember their basement with the pool table, the piano and all the TREASURES. Oh how that used to piss Mom off, we never left there without a little bag or box or whatever of treasures. Each of us with our own. Or not? Was it just me, was I spoiled ?? heheheh
Also, they bought this damn little wind up poodle at the State Fair, thinking they could get me used to dogs, and not afraid anymore; yeah right, I was 5 yrs old and I STILL REMEMBER the day I jumped up in one of those funky shaped orange chairs... screaming for my life because I feared this ugly little thing. Isn't that funny, they bought a fake poodle when they had a ton of their own. Why didn't they just send a live one after me? hahahahahahahahah
Anyway, the Waight Grandparents were much -- ummm, different. I remember when Grandma Waight told me I had fat cheeks, my gosh, I was in 9th grade and wow, talk about a stab!! I didn't let her know how mad I was, but dannng....I was pissed because Mom laughed!! Anyway, I remember the night we were driving to her visitation; Dave had not yet gone to the Army so in the little Fiesta it was Dave, Rich, Cousin Lenny, Kersten and me. I remember crying as soon as we left the driveway. I heard the Priest say later to Mom "she is really crying, was she one of the card players?". We ALL were card players and that will probably be what I most remember about Grandma
Waight, I miss her so much. Oh yeah, and she always said "warsh" instead of "wash". That used to piss Mom off too. heheheheehheheh
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