Well, I think my flag is PERFECT. Today, I've been reminiscing about going to my grandparent's houses and the memories that I have regarding those visits.
I was very fortunate to have 4 sets of grandparents growing up. My great-grandparents lived long lives. Grandma and Grandpa Jones (Earl Maloney's mom and step-dad) lived in Grover City (now called Grover Beach). I remember going to visit them in the winter (clamming) and sleeping in the bedroom next to the front door. It had an electric blanket which I thought was wonderful because it was chilly there. When they moved to Fresno, they lived in a mobile home park. We would go and visit and always knew where the Pringles were.
Grandpa Kick (Marge Maloney's dad) lived to be 97. He actually almost lived long enough to be a great-great grandpa. He died one month before Jenna was born. He lived in the Tower District (Mitch and I bought his house). I remember visiting him on Sundays and having Eskimo Pies at his house. One of my most vivid memories is getting to fill his pipes with tobacco. That's probably why I LOVE the smell of pipe tobacco to this day!! The second most vivid memory is making pies with him for Thanksgiving. He was the most incredible baker! All of his pies were made from scratch. One Thanksgiving, we (he) made a lemon meringue, a chocolate, a pumpkin, a pecan, and a banana cream (my favorite). It's really neat that my dad has taken over that gift!
Grandma Marge and Papa (my dad's parents) lived in Fresno on several acres near Bullard High. It was a big house and each bedroom had a bathroom (I thought this was very cool). I didn't get to stay with them too often when I was a child, but when I did, I would sleep in Aunt Jeanne's room. Grandma Marge was a wonderful cook and I do remember having Thanksgiving at her house. She would also make me eggs and toast in the morning. Papa had a magnificent garden and 100 orange trees. I remember picking oranges in the winter and getting to eat the best tomatoes in the summer. He would also take me for tractor rides!
Grandma Della (my mom's mom) is the grandparent that I have the most memories of. She lived in Topeka, Kansas and we would visit her every year on the way to California for the winter. She would also come to our house every Christmas for 3 weeks. After she retired, she moved to Fresno and had a one bedroom apartment close to our house. Spending the night at her house meant fried chicken for dinner and Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for breakfast. It also meant getting to have a beer before I was 21. Her favorite drink was Scotch and water (heavy on the water, my mom would tell my dad).
I would have to say she lived out the Scripture -
Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Being a single parent of two, she personified love, grace, and perseverance! She passed those traits on to her daughter (my mom) and she passed them on to me. I can only hope and pray that I have passed them on to my children.
Grandma Della taught me the Lord's Prayer. I have many memories of going to church with her and thank goodness for those CERTS she carried in her purse. They came in handy when the pastor got a little long winded!
So, any day now I get to be the Mimi......this position comes with HUGE responsibilities. You just never know how you might impact someone else's life! Guess we'll find out soon enough!
