In elementary school I was assigned the task of writing a
paper about my hero. I chose my grandpa. He was a great man. He deserved the
love and adoration of a little girl...well six little girls and three boys. My
cousins and I all looked up to that spunky, caring, solid man. To do a little
research for my paper I called my grandparents, who were traveling at the time.
I asked a few questions and they promised to write me with some answers. They
did.
I will always cherish that letter. I read the letter,
wrote my paper, got my grade...and then decided I knew exactly what kind of
person I wanted to be when I grew up. My grandpa was a soldier, survived polio,
raised four sons (who I love), enjoyed RVing and fishing, could build or fix
anything, served faithfully at his church, read the bible every morning,
smelled like coffee, and won the hearts of his grandchildren (and I presume
everyone else who met him).
I wanted to grow up and be exactly like my grandma.
No...I didn't misspell that. They always say behind every great man is a great
woman. She was great. She had an amazing heart and the softest skin. I miss her
perfume. My grandma stood by my grandpa's side through everything. In sickness
and health, for rich or poorer, until death separated them...for a time. She nursed him back to health when he faced polio.
She created a loving home, put others needs before her own, and invested into
her grandchildren, leaving a legacy. She taught me how to set the table and
encouraged me when I was excited about etiquette and having tea. She let me
come over and dust her house because I thought it was fun...did I mention she
was genius? Pledge...just a little, not too much...always reminds me of her.
She snuggled me on the porch swing and we counted the cars that passed - I
loved the focused time and I'm sure she loved the peace and quiet!
I could go on forever. Whenever I think of her I have a
beautiful memory and all I can do is smile. Dawn...as in the blue dish
soap...reminds me of her home. Come to think of it...a lot of my
memories of her involve cleaning. She taught me to iron (which I still hate
doing...sorry grandma, that one didn't stick). As an adult, I realize she was
bringing me along in her day-to-day activities. She was including me in her
mornings and afternoons. I never noticed it before, but I'm realizing she was probably a
neat freak. Maybe that's why I was so at peace in her home ;). Maybe it was just
her.
I want to breathe in the smells of my childhood and
remember who I hoped to become. She was faithful, full of integrity, loved the
Lord, took care of her family, kept her home, created an atmosphere of peace,
was sharp as a tack, and quick witted. She almost always won at games. You
wanted to be on her team. She taught me strategy, to think ahead, to pay
attention, and to have fun. Crosswords, puzzles, challenges... I love them
because of her. She was selfless; she would serve us ice cream every night we
were there. She'd use the same white cups, have the same vanilla ice cream on
hand at all times. She would offer us ice cream, we could help dish it up, and
then when everyone else sat down with their yummy treat, she would "treat
herself" to an apple. She was diabetic and disciplined.
She wasn't perfect. But in my eyes she was close. I carry
her name, I carry her values, and I carry her in my heart. I hope that when I
pass away from this world and meet her in the next, that my children and theirs
have seen a woman striving to be just like her.
In the process of searching for a few pics, I came across this video I made for my grandpa's memorial service years ago. Grandma's memorial service is tomorrow. I probably won't have time to do the same for her. But there are some sweet pictures in this one of both of them. Sweet, sweet memories!
