Remembering Grandparents

Nana writes -

The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose petals 

My father's mother - Evelyn
Was great at the piano and organ, played in local churches and at barn dances.
She passed on her love of music to her daughter, my Aunt Betty, who followed in her footsteps.
  



but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children's children.

My father's father - Robert
Was an electrician and spent time at our house on electrical repairs.
Additionally, my grandfather was a carpenter and made me a wooden toy box.


It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future. ~Charles and Ann Morse

My mother's father - Emmett holding our first daughter, Melissa.
Emmett was in the Navy, fried everything he ate in lard and lived into his 90's! My grandfather would always give me a quarter for an ice cream when he came to visit. 

My mother's mother was Katherine and my memories of her revolved around my parents driving to the hospital every night after dinner so that my mom could visit with her.  Sometimes my mom would bring her a crabcake sandwich.  Every other weekend she would come to our house and stay.  I remember how she sat in her wheelchair at the dining room table and put on her make-up.  I also remember her tears and kissing her good-bye!

Since becoming a grandparent, I've spent many hours thinking and reminiscing about my grandparents. I am sad that three out of the four passed away when I was a little girl. Even though I have pictures, isolated memories and some knowledge of who they were - mostly passed on from my parents - I feel that I missed out on really knowing who they were and the nurturing that comes from grandparenting.  So, I press on to change the legacy and to be a grandparent who will live in the hearts of our little ones now and in their future.

A few words from Mom-Mom - 

Make time for your grandkids!  Make memories that they will cherish forever.  I will always remember the times I had with my grandmother.  She worked full-time and still made time for me.  I always felt loved when I was with her!  I know we are all busy these days - slow down and make time for your grands.  Don't be left out of their lives!