Grandparents

As I was going through photo files, I found these pictures of my grandparents. I love them. They are in my house, out for display. I've been thinking about them a lot lately, especially this week. In one of the workshop sessions i was attending, we talked about relationships, as well as emotions. Each of them is special to me for different reasons.

My Mom's side:

Papa John

Papa John is my mom's dad. I remember being young and always a little unsure about Papa John. He reminded me of the cartoon character Crankshaft because his brow always furrowed and he spoke sharply. However, down below that exterior, he was not as tough as he looked. This past November, my Papa passed away. There are things that I will always remember about him.

• Bright-colored pants with a white belt that he always hitched up, one side at a time.
• His hunched stature and crossed legs whenever he was sitting in a chair
• His terrific laugh
• His commitment to staying healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually
• Watching C-SPAN or CNN in my parents' living room during his annual visit
• His hard love for his children
• Handing gifts for him to pass out at our Christmas Eve get togethers

Mama Lu

My MaLu started out as Grandma Louise, but since I was the first grandkid and struggled to say her name, I shortened it. She was a beautiful and gentle woman. Can you see the likeness to my mom? Both beautiful ladies!
She passed away young in May of 1984, after a battle with cancer. She was nearly done raising her nine children and just getting to know her grandkids. I can't even imagine how hard it was for my mom and her siblings to say goodbye. My short time with her still left me with strong memories:

• Her artichokes that you dipped into a bowl of melted butter at every Christmas Eve celebration
• Sitting on the floor next to her and making play-doh bowls and peas on my 3rd birthday
• After a surgery, she could no longer talk, so we would communicate using one of those boards that you write on with a plastic stylus and lift the film to erase it. I have a vivid memory of sitting on her lap and drawing things for her. I remember looking up at her and just thinking she was so pretty. And she was!

Mary is my step-grandma but I consider her my grandma. (I don't know why I don't have a picture of her handy! FAIL on my part!) She has been in our family for approximately 25 years. She lives in Naples and is staying pretty active. I admire and remember the following things about Mary;

• She was a runner and won a lot of different races
• She sold Mary Kay products and would let us look through them like we were at a beauty counter
• One of her passions is painting; their walls serve as a gallery of her artwork
• Her eyes smile when she smiles
• She is a great listener
• Her laugh is contagious

 My Dad's side:

Grandpa Ted

My grandpa Ted had a magical smile. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when I was at the end of grade school. He worked with my Dad at their family company. Recently, at a Writer's Workshop conference, we discussed relationship and emotions. One of the biggest emotions I attach to my grandpa, beyond pure joy, is regret. I remember being in college and coming home every once in awhile. My dad always suggested I go to visit him at the care facility.  I often chose not to and usually felt okay about it because he didn't know who I was anyhow. Looking back now, I realize it was because I wasn't strong enough to see him. I was scared to see this man, who was always so full of life, withered to a man who knew no one in his family anymore. He didn't smile like he used to and that was scary to me. Here are a few things I remember:

• His smile
• Playing in the basement with him and my brother
• Driving the mini-van with him for the first time when I was 14
• His caps in various colors, with matching plaid pants
• Taking us out to the back corner of their yard and letting us sneak onto the neighbor's bouncy reindeer
• Sitting in his office while he worked on his work and I worked on my Speak n' Spell

Grandma Jean

My Grandma Jean was a debutante when she was young. I remember many sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Currently, she lives in an assisted living community. As she gets older, she is repeating herself and tiring out faster. That being said, she is 92! Memories with Grandma:

• Getting to use her whirlpool tub when I would sleep over
• Making malts after our bath
• Layering on her many necklaces to get fancified
• Her little crystal candy dishes filled with sweet treats
• Buying me aqua sunglasses for me when she watched us 
• Helping her get fitted for undergarments, as an adult (had to list it, as it's something I will never forget!)

There are so many more, I'm sure. Every once in awhile I will pop back on here and add to it.

I can't wait until it is time for Steve and I to start our family. Our parents will make many happy memories with our kids as they grow up, I'm sure of it!