She was my mother's mother, and she was 84 years old when she died. While my father's mother is still alive (and in her 90s!), she lives in California and I do not know her well. I love her, of course, but there is much to be said for hands-on.
My mother's mother was my full-time, hands-on grandma.
I have many stories of staying with Grandma. She kept us during the summers when school was out, and on weekends when my parents would be away (my father played in a Top 40 band). And on the many days I missed school because I was ill, I stayed with Grandma for her tender loving care.
My mother worked at a job only a block from where my grandmother lived, which was handy. When my brother or I (or both) stayed with Grandma, she could drop us off and pick us up without problem.
My grandmother cooked every day. My grandfather worked at the Kroger warehouse, where he was a foreman. He went in early and came home at 4:10 p.m. every day. And that was when he wanted to eat.
Frequently we had an early dinner at my grandmother's, then. And I still eat early to this day, preferring to have it all over and done with by 6:15 p.m. at the latest.
If Grandma had a food speciality, it was macaroni and cheese. I'm not talking about mac and cheese like you buy in the Kraft boxes. I really can't describe her mac and cheese except that she made a lot of it and we all ate it.
She also liked to fix pudding. She did not use instant mixes but made the cooked kind of Jello brand pudding. I remember one day she was out of chocolate. Of course we wanted chocolate.
She made up some chocolate milk and used vanilla pudding mix to create what we thought was the best chocolate pudding ever.
After that, we asked for her special chocolate pudding instead of the normal kind. We did not always get it, but she made it occasionally.
Grandmas are like that, you know. They offer up treats and love in all sorts of ways.
My grandmother's birthday is also in June, so I have been missing her this month. I have thought of her often and I hope she knows she remains in my heart.
What lovely memories. I never knew either of my grandmothers, so thanks for sharing your memories of yours with us.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in California and my only grandmother lived in Kentucky. I think the reason I want grandchildren so much is to to make up for the fact that I never had one to spoil and love me. I envy you the closeness you had. She sounds like a wonderful person and I'm glad you had her in your life. I'm sure she knows how you feel. Perhaps you have been thinking of her lately because she has been thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather also played in a band. He worked a regular shift and came home at a regular time and he and Nana had a routine. We kids loved going over there. Pop-pop worked for the Jersey City Print and so the house was full of pads of paper that we would write and draw on. We always lived near them. That's one reason I wanted to get home with Kelly. It's important to be close to your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThe cooking kind of Jello pudding is the best. They still make that you know. I never buy that instant crap.