Thanks to everyone for the condolences and prayers during this time of loss.
The first family death I remember was my Grandfather Anderson. I was only 8 at the time. He was 72 which to an 8-year old is ancient. What I remember about Grandpa was he was a little man and very humble. He had an old Ford car, I think maybe a Model A. I don't think he drove very much after moving to town, but walked most of the time. He must have had the beginning of some sort of dementia because he would go for a walk and someone would bring him home.
The house they built on their farm North of Lyons is still standing. It has had some updates. After a family gathering one year, some of us called and asked the owner if it would be ok if we came out to see the house and what they had done to it.
It is strange how things you remember are not like you remember them. We lived in
the house after my Uncle decided to move to California. The rooms all seemed smaller than when we lived there. The owners had added a more modern kitchen and garage. The trees out front looked the same, but we were told they were planted about 20+ years ago replacing the ones that I remembered. A lot of the out buildings were gone, but the 2 car garage was still there. This garage was built to house the cars of that era and it was a tight squeeze to get out of our 1956 Ford when it was parked there.
One story of the house building is that the old house was moved so the new house could be built in the same spot. Aunt Julia is said to have been in the house playing the piano as it was being moved.
Grandma lived to be 81. She was a very religious person and never missed church unless we couldn't get there to take her. She had ulcerated veins in her legs and it was very hard for her to get around. She always baked the best bread. She had one kind of bread she called "Grandpa Bread". I think it was because it was what he liked. Her favorite cookies to bake were ginger snaps. I cannot smell molasses without thinking of her. She had a rocker that faced the west windows of her dining room where she would read her Bible or crochet. How many baby booties she crocheted is any one's guess.
Life does go on and we will always have memories of those that go before us. Let's cherish the time we spend together and remember only the good when we think of the past.
God Bless you all.
Sue
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I'm not over the hill. I'm on the back nine.
5 comments:
These are really nice memories. Thanks for posting them.
Good thoughts Suzie.
Odd how when we grieve for a recent lost one, that we also grieve again for those of years past, too.
I can really relate to certain smells producing memories. Sticky buns and baked bread will always remind me of Grandma Mabel. Memories of "helping" her bake come to mind. Christmas isn't Christmas without some sort of baking, thanks to Mabel!
And I remembered becoming a widow at about 40 years old and wondering how I would be able support my kids. I also tried to keep things on a routine for the kids and it was years before I acknowledged that that funny feeling in my stomach had been grief.
I still drive past my old houses in Lakewood, CO whenever I visit. So many memories!
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