Grandparents Day

I don’t remember a lot about my grandmother (my mom’s mother), Opal.  I have hazy memories about visiting my grandparents (who lived in Quanah) and riding in grandpa’s pickup to another town (I think it was Vernon) to buy groceries.  My brother and I were squeezed in between my grandpa who was driving and my heavyset grandmother in the front seat.  I also remember my grandmother cooking fresh veggies from the garden.  Something else I remember is laying awake listening to them snore and wondering how they could sleep with such loud noise.  Now my husband snores, and I am able to ignore it and sleep.

When I was very young, she became bedfast, so most of my memories of her were when she was sick, and we were visiting her in the nursing home.  I remember more about my grandfather (my mom’s father), H.H. which he used instead of his real name—Harold Homer—so I understand why he went by his initials instead.  While my grandmother was alive, he visited her every day in the nursing home.  Sometimes that meant walking a couple of miles each way from the nursing home.

After she passed, he lived with my family for several years.  Although he seemed like a gruff grouchy old man, he had a really good heart.  I remember when he wanted to pay for lunch, and I told him I had enough money to cover it, he’d say, “What’s the matter? My money won’t spend?”  To this day, I have a soft spot in my heart for grouchy old guys.  It really broke my heart when he passed.

On my dad’s side, I don’t really remember much about my dad’s mom, Florene.  She had mental problems, and whenever she showed up asking for money, my dad talked with her on the porch.  I think he was afraid that she might hurt my brother and I somehow.  I know the situation with his mother made him sad.  My dad’s father, Alvin, was a Methodist minister.  He always seemed to be serious and a little gruff, especially during his sermons.  His wife, Jimmie, my step-grandmother, who coincidentally had the same boy’s names as my mom, was a great person and really good cook.  I really enjoyed being around her, and when she passed just recently, that was really the last of my grandparents to go.

Now my parents are grandparents, and I think my kids are glad to have them.  They’re very loving and supportive and have been very involved in my kids’ lives from the beginning.  My first daughter was born the year my dad retired, and he says she saved his life.

Grandparents are special people who really have a great opportunity to make their grandkids feel special because they usually have more time to spend than parents do.  I am grateful for my grandparents and hope my kids are grateful for theirs.  And maybe one day I will have the privilege of being a grandparent myself.

Joke:  My grandparents had a laundry service.  Unfortunately it folded..

Quote:  Grandparents are a delightful blend of laughter, daring deeds, wonderful stories and love. – Unknown

Advice:  If you have the chance to spend time with your grandparents, cherish it because you will miss them.