I forgot to show you our little robins the other day: We took pictures of each one as it hatched, and now they have grown exponentially!
Today is the 100th birthday of my Grandma Hess, who was my one and only babysitter during my childhood years. She lived next door to us and was my best buddy. I remember going with her to church meetings and pretending that I knew the words while she helped me hold the hymn book. She drove a little gray Opal, and always wore blue canvas sneakers, a dress, and an apron. She did her hair up in those scratchy wire curlers so popular back in the early 70s, and I would watch the magical transformation as she removed them from her hair.
After Grandpa died, Grandma was never the same. She always seemed a little lonely, and we were all too young and busy to fill the void very well. My Aunt Eleanor gifted her with a trip to Europe, which was exciting for a while, and she later served a mission for our church, serving others with a grandmother's love.
I was out on our porch, snapping beans, when a neighbor came running to our house, asking for my mother. The neighbor was the bearer of bad news that day; he came to tell us that he found my grandma's body in her home, after feeling as if he should pay a visit. She had just brought us some scraps to feed the chickens, and it seemed impossible that she could be gone so fast.
I was all of eleven years old at the time, but it seems like yesterday. Although Grandma's body may be at rest, I know that her spirit is always close by, and that she is loving her great-grandchildren as if they were her own.
Happy birthday, Grandma! Thank you for giving me your love of all things feminine, and your spirit of selfless service.
Marqueta
Marqueta,
ReplyDeleteWhat a special bond! And what a special post for your dear Grandma! I am sure, as you stated, she is close at hand watching your children grow! The veil is so very thin, isn't it?
Love,
Emily
Marqueta,
ReplyDeleteThis was a dear tender story! She was very lovely!
As "but Vapors" we shall look forward to our eternal reward
with our loved ones and with our Dear Lord!! Sooo Thankful for his GRACE! ;-)
Love the Robin picteres!!
Blessings and Love, Linnie
A beautiful story! Oh !How I loved my Grandmother.
ReplyDeleteI think of her almost everyday.
I have never seen robin eggs except in pictures.
Marqueta,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you had such a wonderful bond with your dear grandmother when you were a child. I never got to meet my grandma, for she passed before I was even born.
I really enjoyed reading this story, for it truly touched my heart in many ways.
-L. Rose
Sounds like your grandma was a wonderful lady, Marqueta. She has such a sweet expression in her pictures. I never had that special grandparent bond, as my grandmother died when my mother was sixteen and my other grandmother didn't live nearby. I feel I've really missed out on something special. Forgive me if I'm a tad bit envious. From all I've heard a grandparent's love is the closest you'll ever get to unconditional love on Earth.
ReplyDeleteMarqueta,
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely memories.
The robin blue eggs are so pretty. Of course babies are a lovely addition to any day.
I wrote you a letter in March and today I just got it back in the mail as returned. So Monday I will resend it in with the dishclothes I have made you. As well as another letter. :0)
Love Erika
I'm glad you had those experiences, Marq. My memories of Grandpa were almost polar opposite from yours. It's funny how each individual ends up coming away with a different picture of someone.
ReplyDelete