November 19, Grandparents

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Cookie Cutter Grandparents 
During my lifetime, I was able to spend time with 3 of my great-grandmothers and both sets of grandparents.  They were each so unique, so loving, and interesting to my adolescent self.  My great-grandmothers were Ruby, Francis, and Virginia.  If those aren't the most perfect great-grandmother names, I don't know what are.  Grandma Francis lived in Ohio and would send the best care packages.  I remember getting underwear from her one time that I'm pretty sure would fit a 200 lb. woman.  It was the thought that counts, but I remember my 6 year old (tiny) self being so confused and mildly amused.  Grandma Virginia lived in the same town as us, drove a brown pinto, and lived on Tums and Marborlo Lights.  One of the last times I saw her before she passed, she asked if I had gotten a boob job.  I had not.  Grandma Ruby had a chiuaua named Gigi that terrified me.  Sadly I don't have too many other memories beyond her dog and her green couch.

My grandparents are/were Mike, Lavonne, Anita, Vic and Florence.   Grandpa Mike told my "fortune" one time...he said I would have a pool in my future.  When I said I didn't see it, he spit in my hand.  I never forgave him for it, but man oh man did I love him.  He was a big man that dyed his hair black and wore diamond rings.  His wife Lavonne treated us like her own.  She was around about 12ish years before our grandpa passed away.  She liked to get glammed up and accompany my grandpa to the casino.  She made him happy and that earned her the title of Grandma.  Grandma Anita let me stay with her during a semester at college. I forget how many cats she has, but they would stick their paws under my bedroom door and rattle it throughout the night.  I was thankful they  never got the door open!  Vic and Florence, the perfect little silver haired couple that used to live on a tree farm, on top of a hill, with their Golden Retriever.   They had 3 children and 9 grandchildren.  My grandma cooked a huge Sunday lunch that we all looked forward to, every Sunday until she was physically unable to do so.  They joined us on vacations, kept us overnight, and would let us make and eat hors'devours at 9pm.  Perfect grandparents.

Grandparents are so important to children.  There is so much we can learn from then in regards to family heritage and history in general.  They lived through wars and depressions and were tough as nails.  I've always heard people aren't made as tough as they were back then...and I believe it.

For those precious, silver haired, priceless antiques...that we call our grandparents....I give thanks.

 Like this blog, leave a comment (or tell me what you're thankful for!)!  Feedback makes me happy! :)

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