Thursday, May 23, 2013

Grandma

This mothers day was the the first time in years I was able to spend Mothers Day with my mom, so thankful for that - we had a wonderful day.  It was also the first time I was able to visit my Grandma's grave since she died.  She played a major role in my child hood and was the first family member that I was close to that died.


She was a strong Dutch woman that survived the war
she was a Montessori teacher
she immigrated to Canada
she raised 5 children





I remember her voice
I remember her smell
I remember her curly silver hair
I remember her cats - most chubby and skittish
I remember her pots of tea and the tea cozy
I remember having tea at the kitchen table with Grandma and allowed a little bit of sugar
I remember dutch cookies, dutch cheese and all those yummy treats
I remember her stories

I remember celebrating St. Nicholas at Grandma's house (the one my father grew up in when he also immigrated to Canada)
I remember a nock at the door and a white sack on the door step
I remember our shoes full with special treats
I remember paper noches flying through the air
I remember chocolate letters - one for each - the first letter of your name

I remember her shelf full of National Geographic Magazines
I remember her knitting basket
I remember her black and white television and watching Love Boat when we stayed late
I remember her dinning room table (that is now at the farm in my parents dining room)
I remember her buffet that had a drawer with the silver and her asking me to put out what was needed on the table
I remember family gatherings at holidays - we all found a way to fit around the table
I remember Grandma's chair at the head of the table
I remember Grandma's piano and the orange cloth that laid across the keys
I remember the steep stairs that led to the one small bathroom upstairs
I remember her paintings
I remember her crown of thorns in the window in the dining room
I remember her bedroom with a tray of perfume bottles and her jewelry
I remember her spoon collection, hundreds from all over the world

I remember the beautiful cards she would always send (still have some)
I remember her phone calls
I remember traveling with her

I remember her backyard
I remember her flowers
I remember her old shed
I remember her tree that we cut the top off
I remember her pond
I remember the back porch - we would hide in the shade in the hot summer months

I remember her hallway with her shoes
I remember her various canes
I remember her gong at the front door
I remember her hugs
I remember her smile
I remember her wave good bye

I miss you like it was just yesterday that we said good bye
Thank you for all the love, warmth, and wonderful memories
Thank you for being Grandma

4 comments:

  1. This is beautiful. Tissue box in hand. You said this all so lovely.
    Thinking of you. xo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Rebecca, she was a wonderful woman.
      Chey xo

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  2. These are lovely photos and such lovely memories. I remember my grandmother's tray of perfumes too.
    Very special, I'm glad you shared this.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - Grandmothers are very special indeed.
      Chey xo

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