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.