Childhood Memories of my Grandmother

I spent a lot of time with my Grandmother; when Fridays would come I would say I wanted to spend the weekend with her and my parents would take me Friday after school and pick me up on Sunday. When I was a little older, I was allowed to go on my bike after school or on Saturday, stay some Sunday evenings and ride my bike to school on Monday morning. It was clear across town, but I didn't mind because I'd had another weekend with her.


Of course, I don't remember how I spent the whole weekend, but some things stand out in my memory.

When I was 5 or 6, it was mud pies. I would line her back step and the wooden walk with all my deliscious, fancy creations. I was allowed to pick berries, flowers, leaves, anything I thought I needed to make my cakes. Getting out her door must have been quite a challenge. To say nothing about the lost spoons that I'm sure would have happened and the cleanup she probably had to do.

Her front yard was filled with lilac bushes, placed so that there was little 'rooms' to play hide and seek in or set up a play house. Many hours were spent with my 'pretend' friends.

It was always a special lunch she would send me if I stayed till Monday morning. She would ask me what I'd like, full well knowing that if it was the season, I would always say lettuce sandwiches. So she would pick her leaf lettuce fresh from the garden, and lay lots and lots of leaves on buttered homemade bread, a little salt and pepper and I had the best lunch in the whole world.

Of course, Sunday meant church. She loved her church and there was no getting away from going. You went early for Sunday school and then the church service. We would generally walk and she would always wear a hat and gloves and hold my hand. I never quite knew if it was to keep me from running away or just to keep me safe. Of course, now I know that for her generation, that's just what you did. For safety, kind control and to walk properly with respect.

There was a beautiful park behind the church, only about two blocks away and on the way home; sometimes we might walk through there and sit on a bench for a little while.

I think of her often; she was such a wonderful Grandma, a kind and gentle lady.