Grandma G

Last week (it has been 3 months since I wrote this) my Aunt hosted a get together to give a recipe/memory book of our grandmother she had been working on for the last several years.  She collected memories from all of the children/ grandchildren and compiled them along with some of her favorite recipes and quotes. I decided to frame some of her recipes and hang in the kitchen.

Grandma collected quotes.  Some of her favorites were typed and hung in little frames above her kitchen sink.  Their are two that I remember and think of often.

The first was a poster that she had framed and hung in her laundry room.  It showed a cat hanging by a single claw to the end of the rope.  It said, "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

The second quote was one above her sink which said (and I am paraphrasing)  What's the difference between work and play?  Well work is something you have to do and play is something you get to do.  Whether you are working or playing my friend is up to you.

She LOVED to work.  She was one of the hardest workers I know.  Even in 80's when she had advanced Alzheimer's she loved to work.  She would go outside and sweep the blacktop or dust her home.  She was always working and she loved it.  She taught those around her to love to work as well.  Her house was always spotless, and she worked right alongside my grandfather in their large and perfectly manicured yard.  She was such a great example to me.

She also made everyone feel loved.  Growing up I always felt like I was one of her favorite grandchildren, but after reading all the memories from my cousins I can see that everyone felt like a favorite of Grandma's.

Grandma loved roses and had a beautiful rose garden in her yard.  When roses were blooming she always had a fresh cut rose in a little vase sitting on her table and she would often send home a fresh cut rose wrapped in a wet paper towel.

She was one amazing woman,  with a wonderful sense of humor.  Always kind and gracious.  The perfect hostess with a way that made people feel comfortable around her.  She was very wealthy, but you would never know it from the way she acted or treated people.  She worked right alongside anyone that she hired to come in and help with the home or yard.  One of my favorite memories my cousin Mary shared  was baking cookies to give to the garbage men.  She had Mary sit outside and wait for them so that my Grandmother could run out when they arrived and give them the fresh baked cookies.  I also remember her waiting outside during the summer to give them a cold glass of water.  She was so thoughtful and never thought herself above anyone else.

I am sure she had some faults, but I don't know of any, nor have heard any mention of any from anyone that knew her or knew of her, even when she was alive.  Every daughter-in-law loved her like their own mother.  As far as I can tell she was pretty darn near perfect.  Wish you were still here Grandma.  Wish my kids knew you, but luckily they will someday.