Thursday, March 5, 2009

Grandmom and Her Gift of Memories

Today is my paternal Grandmother's birthday. She would have been 99. Although she passed away three years ago and had been in a nursing home, I still miss her.


(Here, Grandmom joins us for my birthday celebration in 1985. My Dad and my friend Sudha are also in the photo.)
I spent a lot of time with her when I was a kid. Saturday nights at Grandmom's house was always fun for my Sister and I. We didn't do anything grand, but what we did do became great memories for me.






Like watching Hee Haw and Lawrence Welk. I have to admit, at age 10 I wasn't exactly thrilled about watching the latter. So, I would go in her bedroom and turn on her little black and white tv...probably from the sixties because it had a remote that my Grandmother referred to as "the clicker." That's because the up and down buttons ( the only buttons on it) actually made loud CLICK CLICK CLICK sounds when you went through the five channels available.

I would come out during the hour show when Grandmom would call me to let me know the couple that danced was on. Bobby and what was her name? Cissy? Can't remember now.






Then we'd watch the Love Boat and Fantasy Island. Somewhere during this time we'd have an ice cream break. She had these great Fire King bowls we'd use. I have them now and cherish them because of these special nights together.



She also had a cookie tin we'd sneak a cookie or three out of, fully expecting to hear her reprimands coming from the living room. "You'll ruin your supper!"


Since my Mother worked during the day, she would bring me over to Grandmom's if I was sick and needed to stay home from school. We'd look at her old photo albums. Or play cards. A good round of "Go Fish" always seemed to make me feel better. That and a bowl of Campbell's chicken noodle paired with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Memories.

Simple, yes. But I carry them with me always.

Great gifts from Grandmom on her birthday.


10 comments:

Connie said...

Funny, but I have a blog coming up in a day or two about my grandparents also, honey! I know what you mean about how much they meant to you.
Kisses for Le Bèbè!
xoxo,
Connie
That pix of your little one recently shows how much she is growing and how FAST! Darling!!!

MJ said...

Great post! Yes, it was Cissy & Bobby who danced together ~ I was subjected to Lawrence Welk too and I think we had only 1 channel at the farm!

I see facial resemblances between you and your Grandmom too!

Free Art Printables said...

What wonderful memories! Tank you for sharing that with us. Jen

Ms.Daisy said...

Great pictures and wonderful memories!


Love,
Ms.Daisy

Jill said...

So sweet. Great photos, too! The only living grandparent I had growing up was my mom's mom and she lived 10 hrs away. Our summer 'vacation' was always a trip to her house. And the CLICKER was also a favorite memory of my g'ma. She had a little roll-top desk in the bedroom I used and I used to play "library" in there for hours with index cards and a date stamp. I now have that desk and I just cherish it.

Anonymous said...

Memories are wonderful! Fire King bowls! My grandmom had them and I have them now. My 3 year old daughter loves her ice cream in the "green bowl".

Elisa in Cincinnati

Xazmin said...

What great memories. I'm glad I stopped by, and I think your blog layout is so pretty!

Anonymous said...

A beautiful tribute to our Grandmother. She was a Grandmother's grandmother. She knew how to be one. She always put up a fuss when I spied her blueberries but she knew how much I loved them and graciously shared! And I see your face in grandmom's young picture! Love you!

j said...

Precious post. You have such sweet memories of the time you spent with her.

Unknown said...

Hi Jillian! Wonderful memories! I think that our grandmas (sometimes) are the best part of our moms. I have wonderful memories of both my grandmothers. I love your blog. I'm new and have never seen it before. You asked me about the giveaway. It is the post right below the Pink Saturday post. If you don't see it try refreshing the blog page. That should bring my whole blog up. Have an awesome day!
~Liz