I have been thinking about my grandparents. I have all of my grandparents and was able to know 3 of my great-grandmas, as well.
You know, when I was a child, I loved spending time with my grandparents. I feel like we nearly grew up at Grandpa Norman's and Grandma Lee's house. We were there all the time and I feel like some of my most treasured memories were there.
I remember going straight to the cupboard where Grandpa kept my scribbler. I would bring it to him and he would write out math problems for me - I know...nerdy! I would disappear up to the landing of the stairs, finish the problems as fast as I could and bring them back to him for marking. He would write out another set and off I'd disappear again.
I remember Grandpa's favourite chair. It was an armchair and everybody knew that it was Grandpa's spot. He would sit in it and smoke his pipe while visiting with my parents. I remember us children teasing him by running to that chair, laughing and giggling and holding on tightly with both hands on the armrests. He would pretend that he was going to sit on us or pry us off and we just giggled away.
I also remember Grandpa's spot at the dining room table. He always had the chair on the end with the armrests. Grandma always sat on his left and the grandchildren always fought over who got to sit on his right. Grandma would put plastic place mats at each spot and she always had a smaller plate than everyone else.
I remember Grandma used to sit on the couch - it was brown - on the left-hand side. She would have her ashtray on the table beside her and on the edge of her ashtray she always had a Beachnut cough drop balancing. You know, the ones that come in the green package. That is where she would visit and crotchet while talking. In my mind's eye, I can see her sitting there under that big long mirror.
(That is the very living room where Dwayne and I shared our first kiss.)
I have fond memories of Grandpa Mick's house too. For many years, I would spend part of the summer out on his and Uncle Don's ranch. We would start our morning with a coffee - yes, even as a child! Grandpa liked his coffee with cream and sugar...enough sugar to nearly make a syrup. ::gag::
Some part of every day would be spent on "Buddy" the horse. He was grey and had to be nearly beaten to get to move anywhere. Grandpa cut me a switch and told me to give him a little flick with it if he wouldn't move. I'm not sure children should be given switches. I'm surprised that poor horse never threw me off!
I remember one cattle drive that I was all excited to partake in. We all started out with our horses, leading those cattle along the road. I fought with Buddy and I never did figure out where they all took the cattle to. I was still within sight of the house when they were coming home a couple of hours later. As soon as I turned that horse around, he jumped into gear and we made it home in no time. Stubborn ol' mule!
As far back as I can remember, Grandpa was always ready to pull somebody's leg. Every Christmas, he would phone and tell of how he'd sicked the dog on Santa and his reindeer. Every Easter, he would say the same for the Easter Bunny. And I distinctly remember an old baseball cap that he had that said 'Having sex after 60 is like trying to play pool with a rope.' I remember just how funny he thought that had was. ::roll eyes & grin::
Grandpa has always been feisty and has had awesome reflexes. Even now, at almost 80, he is the only Grandpa I know that goes to the bar, stays out later than my friends and I, and gets in a bar brawl every now and then.
With all these treasured memories floating around in my mind, I have been curious about all of them when they were little, while they were growing up, how they fell in love and all those things that a child is too self-centred to think to ask. I have phoned all of my grandparents and have asked them to either write or record 'their story'. I am thankful to have the opportunity to ask them for this while they are still with us because some of my friends can only wish that they still had that chance. It is my hope that they do give me their stories and that my children, my grandchildren and myself will have a treasure to cherish forever.
