Monday, August 25, 2008

A Tribute to my Grandparents.....



When I was a child, my sister and I spent many summers at my grandparents house. They lived in a teenie, weenie town in northeast Arkansas. Their little house had a screened in front porch where grandma had some plants in pots. Outside their yard was full of all kinds of gardens; flower gardens, a strawberry patch and a large vegetable garden.

Now these things didn't really appeal to me then but I reckon this is where my love of gardening comes from. I remember they would spend hours in their gardens, sometimes just weeding or picking fresh veggies. Of course, I really loved it when they picked strawberries.

Strawberries were my favorite fruits. I remember standing by grandma in her little kitchen and watching her clean them. Seems like she put lots of them in the freezer for storing. But we always had fresh ones as well. She sprinkled a little sugar over them, let them make their own juice, added baked pie crust strips and we would have a great strawberry shortcake.

At night, grandma and popa never turned on their t.v. Instead we always sat on the front porch. I always sat by grandma in the wooden swing and we'd rock back and forth while we listened to the singing of the bugs. Then finally, we'd turn in for the night.
Becky and myself

My sister and I had a game we played after we went to bed. We called it "Kisses for Momma". Grandma and popas house was right down from the railroad tracks. Every night we always heard trains going back and forth. We missed mom lots so we decided to send her kisses by way of the train. When we heard it coming we blew kisses to it in hopes it would take our kisses to her. It was a silly little thing we did, but it brought us much comfort.

Now you are probably asking is there a point to all of this? No, not really. It's just that I spent so many happy days with my grandparents and I wish I had paid more attention to what they said and did. I'd probably be a much better gardener/person now if I had.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents Susie. Very touching post.

Casey said...

I love that Aunt Susie. I love that story. I wish I could have known my great grandparents. I love to hear stories about them. Love you, Casey

Meadowview Thymes said...

I have wonderful memories of my grandparents--especially my grandmother. She lived to be 95--and I have always thought she was closer to God than anyone!
Thanks for sharing your pictures and memories.

Eve said...

I loved this post. We can learn so much from the older memebers of the family if we just pay attention. And we never get too old to learn either.

beckie said...

I can hear the love in your stories, Susie.You pay tribute to them by sharing with us. You and I have talked about what a great influence our grandparents were on both of us-like you I wish I'd listened better. But the wonderful memories we have of them are what counts.

DP Nguyen said...

This was a lovely tribute and what great memories of your grandparents. It was a beautiful post.

I feel the same way-I wish I had listened to my dad more when I was growing up. He always tried to get me to learn how to garden properly, how to take care of the soil, how to grow things.. and I wasn't interested. I just cared about the bugs and insects, lol. And now I wish I had paid more attention.

Susie said...

P.G.-I'm glad you enjoyed my story. I enjoy writing about my grandparents cause they were such wonderful people.

Casey-I wish you could have known them too! They loved you dearly.

Meadowview-That's fantastic your grandmother living to 95. Mine only made it to 76 but I know her and Popa are both in Heaven with your grandmother.

Eve-I enjoy talking with older folks so much. You can learn so much from them and they always have a good story.

Beckie-Memories are wonderful to have. I'm so thankful that I had great grandparents. I know you did too!

DP-Most youngsters are more interested in insects and bugs. I think in our adults lives though, that information is helpful to us now.

Beth said...

Susie - what a nice story. How I wish I would have paid attention to all the things our parents and grandparents did in the garden (and in life). Oh, how much wiser we'd be! Thanks for sharing ...

Susie said...

Hey Beth-I'm glad you enjoyed my story. Yes, I think we all can learn something from our older folk.

marmee said...

i love black and white photos! what a sweet tribute! it is a very personal thing to share, bravo to you!

Susie said...

Marmee-I'm glad you enjoyed my story. I too love black and white photos. My Popa always took photos on special occasions. He had one of those old cameras that you looked down into.