grandparents
Becoming a grandparent makes getting older something to look forward to - all the fun of parenting, without the hassle.
Mango
It was the summer of 2000, which for some reason sounds futuristic, and at the time it felt like it. It was a new era of so much more. My discman blasted Destiny’s Child into my ears, I couldn’t wait to get home and play The Sims and the nokia 3310 was soon to be exposed to the world not knowing that years later it would be a popular meme about how indestructible it is. What a time to be alive, and I didn’t even know it yet. I’d learn a lot about myself this summer, this lesson would come to me through something I’d least expect – mangoes.
Joella DanielaPublished 2 years ago in FamiliesDonkeys and Wolves
Donkeys and Wolfs When putting words together, I often dance around ideas, trying to make them sound eloquent with exaggerated metaphors to communicate some deeper value. But that was not how I was raised. As a child I was taught by my grandfather to be direct, treating the truth like a cudgel. To have no shame when bashing people with the bluntness of my tongue.
Childhood in a Cup
My Grandma Wendy passed away over ten years ago. I had only been five years old at the time, my mind too young to comprehend the permanence or finality of death. When my parents sat me down to tell me that my grandma wasn't coming to visit ever again all I could feel was confusion. I didn't know how I was supposed to respond. I didn't know what I was supposed to feel or think or do. Now, after all of these years, I understand that my grandma is somewhere within the golden gates of Heaven and won't be around any time soon. I have faith that one day I might see her again and I can just imagine the joy that will be felt on that day, however far away it may seem at this moment. Now, I understand that all I can do is treasure the memories I shared with her. One of my favorite memories is of her making the most amazing, nostalgic drink in the entire world. After all, nothing can beat an ice cold glass of chocolate milk.
Amber SpencerPublished 2 years ago in Families- Top Story - June 2022
Rocking Chairs and Sweet Tea
Walking in the front door I can almost hear the sizzle of the bacon frying in the cast iron skillet and smell grandma’s biscuits baking in the oven. It has been too long since I have been in this house and every step I make through it holds hundreds of memories. I didn’t live in this house growing up, but I did a lot of growing up in this house.
How often do you catch the pain behind the unwavering smile?
I often find myself visiting memories offered in your reads. I allow myself to flow without tooting one’s own horn in your series of self-discovery and reflection writing prompts. Helping me open the floodgates of my emotions.
Divyata DewanPublished 2 years ago in FamiliesA bowl of Macaroni and cheese and Grandma
One of my first memories is standing in my grandma's kitchen. Most of the memory isn't clear. A smile from my mom. A feeling of love and warmth. My grandma's laugh. The sound of a conversation I'm too young to follow. Mostly I remember how special I feel. The rest of the grandkids my brother, my cousins are still playing outside. I'm the only one in the kitchen just me, nobody else.
The Invisible WriterPublished 2 years ago in FamiliesThe Anatomy of an Ice Cream Float
Summer means St Andrews, and that, despite the passage of time, has always meant ice cream floats. The place, and taste, are so ingrained into my being that I can close my eyes and recall each change like a scar on the landscape of my world. A new building here, a cafe closed there - the expansion of the world and the shrinking of the family can all be held at bay by an ice cream float.
S. A. CrawfordPublished 2 years ago in FamiliesS'mores Summer Day
Waves from the lake lapping onto the shores. Picking up sticks and twigs among the lilacs, pines, and oaks. Then bringing them towards the fire pit for the nights campfire. My older cousin gathering sticks that are slightly deeper in the woods, along with helping to set up a few logs. The adults talking among themselves, setting up a few tents, a few chuckles can be heard from a joke or story that had happened from the months prior. While a few go in and out of the cabin, getting everything set for the next few days.
Ashley TenoldPublished 2 years ago in FamiliesRemembrances of Corned Beef Hash
The coolest thing just happened. I’m working on a jewelry project and after re-shaping some sterling silver wire with a torch, I had to let it “pickle” – that is, rest in a weak acid bath to clean up any heat discoloration. While I waited, I went up to the attic where we have our extra storage to get a roll of paper towels. There’s a little cubby hole in the wall at the top of the stairs that we hadn’t yet looked in after my husband and I moved into my grandparents' old apartment, upstairs from the one I grew up in and where my mom still lives. Just for kicks I decided to open the door and see if there was anything in there. Mostly it was just junk – scraps of wallpaper and a jar of dried-up wallpaper paste that’s probably older than I am.
Randi O'Malley SmithPublished 2 years ago in Families- Top Story - June 2022
Harvest
The sun had not even begun to crest the horizon when I heard the clang of pans in the kitchen, followed by the crack and sizzle of eggs frying. Grandma Nellie did not even try to be quiet. She wasn’t too used to having others in the house. Besides, it wouldn’t be long before MaNet, her daughter and my grandmother, would creep into the bedroom to gently rouse my brother and me. The smell of bread toasting to a near black wafted like lit charcoal across the bed linens and was quickly replaced by the sweet, salty scent of bologna hitting the cast iron.
Andrew Forrest BakerPublished 2 years ago in Families Why Do Grandpa Always Tell The Same Stories
“When I lived in Segovia...”, “When I was in America...”, “When I worked on the train...” This is how many older people begin to narrate pieces of their history, between nostalgia and hope to find someone to listen to them. But sometimes it's not easy, because history repeats itself over and over again and they end up always telling the same thing.
Nouman ul haqPublished 2 years ago in FamiliesTo The Grandpa I Miss in Heaven, I Think About You Everyday
Dear papa, I’m not going to lie, these past months have been hard without you. It’s been hard not being able to run to you about my great news or when I need advice. It’s been a struggle not being able to show you my growth in painting and not being able to run to you with a new one to show you. There aren’t enough words in the English dictionary to explain how much I love and miss you, just know I do. The glue of our entire family is gone, and I don’t think that pain will ever go away.
Juliet PerilloPublished 2 years ago in Families