Two members of our family are in their 90's.
One is my gramma. She was the youngest in her family. I have listened to the stories she has told about how she met my grampa at a dance. She also has told me of how it was hard because her family was Norwegian and his family was Finnish. It was interesting to learn about how even though they were only a few miles apart, that there was that kind of division.
The other is Sean's gramma. She is a spry little lady who wanted to have grey hair, but had mostly her natural color. She is one of the nicest little ladies, who like my gramma, continues to shrink in size each time we see her.
Our kids have been very fortunate to get to know, not only their grandparents but great-grandparents as well. I can remember two of my great-grammas. There are things I remember about each of them.
One of them lived in a house with a pink oven, which I thought was so neat because pink was my favorite color. In the summer, there was always a HUGE garden that I can remember picking tomatoes, cucumbers, dill, beans, peas and pulling carrots. (sometimes the best carrots are those plucked from the ground with a little dirt still on them) We played countless games of croquet. She had a cute little dog named Goldie.
The other one lived in a small town that had a small ally that ran between the houses. I can remember birthday parties for her and running from her house down the ally to my great aunt and uncles house. I also remember when she developed Alzheimer's and visiting her in the nursing home. Sometimes she would just sit there and rock back and forth. Sometimes she would laugh about some secret memory that was locked up inside. One of my favorite memories is when she looked at us, started speaking German, laughed for what seemed like forever and then said, "oh, that was funny". I'm sure it was.
They are able to make some wonderful memories with my grampa whom they see several times a year even though he lives so far away. I'm glad that Noelle has memories of my gramma who left us much too soon and sad that Michael can't remember her. I'm happy that I'm able to share the stories of my grampa who died when I was around Noelle's age. (Michael's shares his middle name with him)
I'm greatful that my parents and Sean's dad live in town and are able to see Noelle and Michael often. They are able to attend school concerts and soccer games. I hope the longevity that comes from their parents continues on through them so that someday, they will be able to make some wonderful memories with their great-grandchildren as well.
