Remembering My Grandparents On Grandparents Day
That’s a picture of my Grandma (on the left, my Mom’s Mom), me (in the middle) and my Mom (on the right) on my wedding day.
I was fortunate as a child in that I lived near my grandparents and got to see them often. They cared for me often, just as my parents care for my children now.
Grandpa loved to fish. He had a small fish pond in the back of their house. He smoked Belairs and collected Green Stamps. He snored. Grandpa died while I was about 12. I wish I remembered more of him. One thing I do remember is how much he loved his little girl (me).
Grandma always kept Lorna Doones and Chock Full O Nuts pound cake in the house and always gave me some when I came over. She made the best potato balls EVER. Even though she often called my Grandpa “you old windbag” she was never the same after he died. She lived alone for a while, until she got so sick she had to go live at my Mom’s house. She was a diabetic and lost her leg. I think CJ and I inherited her love for carbs.
I had moved away for a little while. In 1986 I got married and at Christmas time I moved home again with my husband. I got to see my Grandma every day again. She used to tell anyone that came to the house that my parents were starving her and always asked them for bread. By then my younger brothers were old enough to be getting around on their own steam and getting underfoot. Literally. Sometimes they took her artificial leg under the table, making her chase them around. She’d occasionally curse at people in Polish, including a couple of family members, but never me.
I saw my Grandma on the morning of the day she died. I never considered that she wouldn’t be alive to hug and kiss me and ask how my day went when I got home from work. I miss her terribly even now.
We often remind our son TJ that my parents are the only grandparents he has and that he ought to treat them right. Several years ago when my Mom was sick he couldn’t even sleep at night without speaking with her. He’s got a good relationship with my parents but sometimes forgets his place. I love that he can go to my Mom if he needs to talk or has a problem. I love that he can have open conversations with her. They may fight but they love each other very much.
CJ is so fortunate to have my parents as grandparents. On many occasions they have stood by my side and fought for CJ’s rights and well being. CJ loves his “nana” and “ampa”. They are supportive and understanding, and most importantly loving.
Grandparents. Our lives would not be the same without them.
Happy Grandparents Day.
Category: Family
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Thank you for sharing!
The story about the artificial leg & cursing in Polish is hilarious.
My paternal grandmother was the same way. She was never the same after my grandfather died. They really were life partners.
Glad that you have a good wedding day picture to remember the event with your mother and grandmother.
Thank you for remembering. That day seems so long ago–yoiu and I were both so much younger. A generation later….. I love you. I know that your grandfather and grandmother did as well.