Her last few years here on earth were spent in a nursing home with family visiting as often as possible... just a shell of the lady she was... robbed of her body and mind by Alzheimer's. It's a ruthless disease, but I take comfort that she didn't suffer. It's really the family that suffers with that disease. Children and grandchildren suddenly become unknown. Great grandchildren will never be remembered. Favorite dishes cease to be served and songs are left unsung.
But we take comfort in Granny's faith. Her spirit fully restored in a heavenly body now. And we have our memories to pass on to our children and their children. And so I remember...
I remember Granny and Papa Joe's house in the summer time filled with all of us. Older cousins playing basketball in the driveway out front while our parents rocked in the glider on the porch. Climbing the apple trees and playing tag around the weeping willow. Stealing grapes off the vines. Everyone playing horseshoes in the backyard before dinner.
I remember I almost always staying in the smallest bedroom with a twin bed. To a little girl like myself it was a fascinating room. Asian fabric wall hangings that must have come back from the war with Papa Joe. Any my favorite thing? The electric organ that stood at the foot of the bed. Many a screeching could be heard as I attempted to play it.
Granny could play any instrument she tried. She would often play the banjo and harmonica at family gatherings or whenever anyone asked. She also loved to sing. I still sing "Playmate" to my boys a favorite of mine.
My most favorite memories are at Christmas though. It's these memories that I long for each Christmas. A room packed full of family... cousins wrestling in the floor... adults playing games on the card tables... and food, lots of food. Orange Slice cake is my Daddy's favorite. I also remember Pork cake and Jam cake. I remember fresh baked sourdough bread and pear butter too-- my favorites. I loved how we all smashed ourselves into the living room and exchanged presents. And then we sang. Granny and Papa Joe had Christmas song books and we all got one to help us sing. Rudolph, Up on the Rooftop, and Jingle Bells. With 6 kids and 19 grandchildren it was a very tight fit... but it was what I looked forward to most.
.JPG)
Me and Jaco... I also remember Granny and Papa Joe reading their Bibles each morning. Taking time to focus on God's Word before the day began. They were people of great faith. And they expected their children to follow God too.
Granny was the last of my grandparents to pass away. No more memories with them will be created, but their legacies will live on. I hope I can share enough stories with my boys that they will know them.
That chubby baby is me.
But this chubby baby is my Ethan..JPG)
My Daddy with his parents.
Granny and PaPa Joe's children.... Back: JW, Mike, Dan, Tim, Front: Jennie and Alice
and all the rest of us too! (or at least the ones that were able to make it this past week)
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