As a child, I spent every day of the summer at my grandparent’s house. My grandma, dubbed “gramma,” spent a majority of her waking hours watching my brothers, cousins, and I. I was the eldest biological grandchild, and I felt like I was important when I helped her watch the younger kids. I loved spending time at her house, and she would always help us find something to keep busy. Watching “PBS Kids” was a staple in my childhood, because they did not, and still do not have cable. My papa does have “Facebook” now, so he does not live completely under a rock.
My gramma loves to bake, and would often allow us to be her “helpers” in the kitchen. I always felt so special when I got to help her mix brownie or cookie batter. Gramma let us lick the spoon, even when mom did not. . . Salmonella be damned. The love she instills into everything she does makes everything better. No owie was too painful that a kiss couldn’t fix, and the two of them come to every single activity my brother’s and I have ever been a part of. That takes real dedication, folks.
My papa retired when I was a teenager, but I remember very clearly making him lunch in the mornings before he would go to work. He always had two fruit cups in his lunchbox, and used cinnamon raison bread in his deli meat sandwiches. My papa is the least picky human being I have ever encountered. Burnt toast? He’ll eat it! Milk and graham crackers are better than cereal to him. He also harbors a strong love of the Disney movie “Tarzan,” and had the film’s songs on a cassette. He is always willing to get lunch with me, and our texting conversations will always be dear to my heart.
I wish I could spend more time with my grandparents, because I believe I can learn so much from their wisdom. I love hearing my gramma’s stories about living on a farm, and all of the animals she’s been around. I love to hear about her mother’s homemade bread. I always enjoy hearing about my grandparent’s love story, it always makes me smile. Their positivity and kindness inspires me. I only hope I can be the granddaughter my grandparent’s invasion me as, and that I am always able to make them proud.
