Today my grandma would be 89 years old. The impact that this woman has had on my life is immeasurable. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her.
We recently had a family dinner out at my house and while I was going to write a post about that night, thinking about it brought back so many memories of my childhood I couldn’t ever completely collect my thoughts about that night in particular. I kept going back to those family dinner nights spent at my grandma’s house. So, since I’ve been thinking about them so much lately, I decided that to celebrate Grandma’s birthday, I’d write a post about some of my favorite memories.
My grandma’s house was the one my dad and is brother and sisters grew up in. My grandma and grandad moved in when my dad was about a year old. That house is rich with memories.
Every so often, we’d get together as a family over at Grandma’s house. And the way I remember it, it pretty much always went the same.
We’d walk in the side door (we never used the front door), the smell of fresh baked apple pie filling the air. Grandma would greet us at the top of the steps, half apron tied around her waist. She would place both of her hands on each of my cheeks, half smile and make a little “tsk” noise, followed by a big hug. Hugs for everyone (we’re a huggy type of family).
We’d gather around the dinner table, hold hands, say blessing and eat dinner soon after our arrival. While the main course would always vary, it seems like we always had green bean casserole. And by we, I mean not me. I’ve never liked that stuff. (No joke, up until about 6 years ago, I always thought it was some weird, nasty secret family recipe. Imagine my surprise when I saw the recipe on the side of a French’s Onion can. {For shame.})
The apple pie that filled the air as we arrived would be our dessert every time. Well, that and a scoop or two of Umpqua Vanilla ice cream. And, like clockwork, every single time as it was being served Grandma would always “warn” us that she wasn’t sure how it turned out and that she didn’t think it was going to be that great. I don’t ever remember having a bad piece of pie in that house.
The laughter that resonated through that dining room will be forever engrained in my head and my heart. There was always laughter. Many times to the point of tears. The more of my dad’s siblings that were gathered, the more laughter there was. They would reminisce about childhood. Tell stories about the Johnsons…the crazy neighbors that ran over their kid not once, but twice.
thud-thud-“IS THAT YOU HEROLD!?…GET OUT FROM UNDER THAT CAR!!!” -thud-thud-
If it got really crazy, my normally very reserved dad would even do his impressions.
After dinner and dessert were finished, we’d retreat to the living room. Or, if it was a nice summer evening, we’d be out on the deck. If there was a particular event we were celebrating, (or if my sister had a new boyfriend over) there’d always be a trip down the hallway, permanent market in hand, to the last closet. On the wall inside the closet, we’d write the date and whatever occasion it was we were celebrating. I’m not even sure how that tradition got started, but that closet holds years of memories for our family…history even.
Eventually, I’d get “cold” just so I could snuggle into one of Grandma’s sweaters that hung in the first hall closet.
The evening would wind to a close. More hugs would be shared. Goodbyes would be said. I’d sleepily settle into my seat in the car. As we pulled out of Grandma’s driveway, she’d always be standing in the window, with a smile on her face, waving goodbye.
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What about you? What are some of your favorite memories of your grandparents?