I LOVE remembering times when I was little. Special times like when grandpa and grandma Lee (my moms parents) would come and stay the night. I have lots of memories of family visits to our cabin in Big Bear. The many winters of dressing up like the state puff marshmallow man to go out and play in this white wonder... only to be freezing within minutes and back inside to warm by the fire. I remember grandma use to cover our shoes in bread bags... they would go all the way up to our knees. Walking in bread bags on snow hence ice... SLIPPERY! Grandpa died when I was 11. I will forever remember waking up and answering that phone so early in the morning. Even after papa died we would take week end trips to grandmas house. One weekend the brave soul she was took Bryan (my younger brother) and I to Catalina island. I still can see the glass bottom boat we were on. Oh and shopping... my grandma always took me shopping, we didn't always buy but she would always take me to look if I wanted to. One of my favorite memories were grandmas dresser drawers. She had two drawers in a dresser in the back room, and she filled them with special stuff for us. She was a school secretary so if a toy, sweater or something wasn't claimed she was able to bring it home. We would run back and see what the newest trinket would be! I also LOVED the hot tea we would have before bed. I would load mine up with sugar! I'm sure for a kid that was a great night time drink.. caffeine and sugar. funny.
Some of my fondest childhood memories were of my grandmother in Utah. This was my safe haven, my heaven here on earth, she... had the arms of an angel. This is where I was taught unconditional love. Grandma was just special, everything about her was, to me perfect! Grandma loved her garden and I loved
This post started when I was reminiscing about my childhood and looking through all the old pictures to do a memory board for my Grandma Lee's Birthday. This weekend is her 90th Birthday! NINETY! WOW. She gets a gold metal, a star.. heck what ever she wants! I am so blessed to have her with us still. To be a part of our lives and for my kids to remember her. I pray that they have good, strong and lasting memories! I'm striving to create some "stand out" memories for them to remember her by!
So anyways, I'm going through old photos and boy is it hitting me. How very little time I have left with her. How every phone call needs to be cherished. Every visit ingrained in my brain. Remember to focus on the positive and let go of any critical comments (i mean shes 90, she had to be feisty to stay around so long!) But really shouldn't we be doing all this anyways? Why did it have to take until I felt I was running out of time for all this to really be at the forefront of my mind? Yes, i had my kids, I had work.. etc. etc. you'll always find something to do. Make an effort, a true, real, heartfelt effort to spend time with those you love. You never know when that phone call... hug... visit will be your last.
I am planning on some small local trips with her. On Oct. 5th the kids don't have school so I thought it would be the perfect day for a short get away up to Oak Glen. We are going apple picking. Grandma said she has never been out there, and the kids enjoy it there. Perfect memory maker! I also thing we will go and spend a weekend with her, or a day when school is not in. I mean, she IS 90... I could do the driving to Long Beach! and speaking of driving yes, even at 90 she is still driving! she drives good, is of good mind, has good hearing, good health. We have been truly blessed! So stay tuned for more posts on our trips and of her birthday.
Grandma Thank you for always Believing in me, Encouraging me and Loving me!
~Nicole