12 January 2016

I am grateful for my Grandma.

I only have known one of my grandmothers.  My maternal grandmother died before my parents were married.  She was only 44 years old.  I look forward to meeting her one day, and I’m grateful to know that I will be her granddaughter for all eternity.

My paternal grandmother died about 5 years ago.  She was 94 years old.  She was a very strong, determined, and amazing woman.  She had beautiful white hair (her hair colored changed by the time she was 30) and this incredibly smooth, silky skin which most likely is a result of her Swedish ancestry.  Although, she would say it was from her face cream that she used twice a day, everyday.  With my grandfather, she had 11 children.  Her life was a hard one, but she was a good woman. She was known for her intricate crocheting and sewing with both yarn and thread.  There are photo albums full of pictures of her work.  There are quilts, Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls, doll clothing, dollies, table clothes, various crafts, throws, and much more that are still being used by family, friends, and others; let alone all of the clothing that she mended to help support her family.

One of my favorite memories of her is sitting with her one day at her house, while she demonstrated for me different types of sewing stitches to use for various situations. She would show me a stitch, and I would practice it until she felt like I knew what I was doing, then she would go on to the next stitch.  We spent that entire day together.  Isn’t it wonderful that are healthy brains store these priceless memories for us, so that when we want or need to remember them, they are there for us.  That’s really something to be grateful for.

A cute, funny memory happened several years before she departed this world for the next.  I was visiting her and the television was on and a commercial was playing.  She stopped and said to me, ‘I don’t make it outside any more, do cars really drive like this now?’ referring to a Honda car spot that showed cars driving on only their front wheels (an ad touting their front wheel drive feature).  She was dead serious, so I just smiled and said ‘no.’   We then went on with our conversation.

I love my grandma so very much, today is her 99th birthday.  I wish I could give her a big hug and just spend the day talking and looking at pictures with her.  I miss you grandma.  Thank you for all you have done for me and the example you’ve been in my life.

You’re the best!

I am grateful for my dear, wonderful grandma.