I have to say one thing all my parents taught me was to respect the elderly and encouraged my relationship with my grandparents. I was super close to all my grandmas in particular. For each one had special things to teach me, reflecting on their own childhood. I somehow knew they had been through a time different than me and it fascinated me. I also looked up to them in so many ways. Today I feel like not enough kids have that same respect and value that special bond that can be formed. I encourage my kids to have that special bond with their grandparents and love their special relationship they have with them.
My grandma Billie who we called Grandbillie was very creative and I looked up to her for that. She was an amazing seamstress, made most of her own clothes and each summer she would take me to fabric store. She would let me pick out my own pattern and material and she would make me an amazing outfit for Christmas each year. She also loved to take classes on floral design and had a beautiful floral centerpiece on her table most times of year. She taught me about manners and taught me to hand sew. I would make sachets while she worked on her sewing machine. She always had peppermint lifesavers in her purse. Any kid is gonna love that! She had a swimming pool in her backyard. Each summer I would spend a week with her and we would swim laps together. I ended up losing her to a battle with cancer in the mid 90’s but I think about her a lot and miss her so much.
My grandma Stella always had the sweetest childhood stories to tell me and had such a big heart and still does. She made the best chicken wings, loved to spoil me with treats and we used to have fun taking the bus together to different parts of San Francisco. It would be an adventure each time. She hosted Christmas eve at her house for many years. I always felt so warm and safe when talking to her or being at her house. She had the most beautiful skin which glowed when she smiled at me. She is still around today and lives in Idaho in an assisted living home, near my aunt Karen.
My step grandma Clara took me right into her heart the minute she met me. I was her first grandchild. She did crossword puzzles with me, brought me gifts and was so easy to talk to. She owned a cute little shop in Nutley, New Jersey and I would go to work with her sometimes when we visited her. She was also a preschool teacher for many years and had such an amazing gift with children, including with me. She used to eat her cereal in a cup of coffee with cream and sugar. It was so charming to me, watching her do that as a kid. She passed away the same year I lost my dad. I miss her very much. My grandparents had a special place in my heart and still do. I love watching my kids with their own grandparents, forming a special relationship with each one of them.
