Thursday, March 2, 2023
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Looking back on my childhood and even life into adulthood, my grandparents always made sure to never miss out on any milestones big or small. As a little girl, I was lucky to be able to spend so much time with my grandparents, many time at hockey arenas cheering on Kyle while Grandpa and I devoured sweets and hot coco at the concession stand. Grandpa had the biggest sweet tooth. You could always count on my grandpa on bringing out donuts to our house whenever he visited and leaving both Kyle and I a little richer.
I was lucky enough to live with my grandparents, not once but twice. While my brother was getting chemotherapy in Boston, my grandparents came out and stayed with me for six weeks. They were a second set of parents to Kyle and I. The second time they welcomed me into their home when I did a PT clinical, and they would wait for me to eat dinner no matter how late I got home.
When my grandfather turned 80, he told me a story about taking his grandmother out on her first boat ride when she turned 80 so we planned a special trip to the racetracks for his 80th. A five hour car ride because we kept getting lost and we did not win a single bet until the last one. Grandpa gave me extra money to bet on the last round and we won our money back and a little more. Of course, grandpa insisted that I keep it. My grandfather loved to wear and collect hats, and before we left we went into the souvenir shop and he bought us matching hats to remember the day.
On my Grandparent’s 59th wedding anniversary and my third month of marriage, they rode out to see the first house that I bought and I made them an anniversary dinner. I bought them a round ice cream cake so everyone was able to have an end piece of frosting and no worries I did not buy them a carrot cakes. You can ask grandma about that one if you want a good laugh.
Grandpa just had a special way with kids and I was able to witness this with my own children. Rory loved to visit her sleepy grandpa. It was her nick name for him. Grandpa would talk a little more, walk a little faster, and of course try to give her sweets. Rory was always cheering him on saying you can do it sleepy grandpa.
I am so grateful that I was able to experience life as your grandchild.
