I was blessed with four incredible grandparents in my life. They had a huge...and I mean HUGE impact on my life. They were there at every phase of my life (although my mom LOVES to tell the story of when both of my Grandmothers greeted me after my Pre-shool graduation I looked around and said, "so...where are the Grandpas?" but pretty much other than that "pivotall" (and I'm sure "stellar" performance), all of my grandmas and my grandpas were there supporting me and loving me during countless violin recitals, school plays, birthdays and wonderful family gatherings. And my wedding day was all the more memorable because all four of my Grandparents were with us in the temple when Chad and I were married.
Don't they just look like wonderful people?
Don't they just look like wonderful people?
Here are Chad's wonderful Grandmothers who I feel so lucky to have met and wish I could have gotten to know them better in person.
Since my wedding both of my grandfathers have passed away. While spending three wonderful weeks in Utah in February I particularly enjoyed watching my three kids spend time with my grandmas...their Great Grandmas...but just like my preschool self I found myself missing my grandpas and wishing that my kids could know them. So this year for one my New Years Resolutions we are going to celebrate and honor the all of my and Chad's grandparents on their birthdays. This is going to be so much fun.
Today, March 14 would have been my Grandpa Bob's 90th birthday. The most memorable thing to me about his appearance was his white white hair. In fact, when I see a white haired gentlemen I often tear up thinking of my grandpa. Gramps loved tennis, salt on his apples, and poached eggs-still runny. Although he was self-proclaimed to be tone deaf he was my biggest fan when it came to playing my violin and he always loved to hear "Ashokan's Farewell" and anything fiddle. One Saturday while I was in college I spent the weekend at my grandparents house and while I was studying in the guest room I heard my grandpa come down stairs singing some old tune at the top of his lungs and completely off pitch. It was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. He had a booming voice, the greatest laugh and I can honestly say that I never saw him be cross or even grumpy. Even when he endured terrible back pain for several years I never heard him complain once. When we were little my brother and sisters and I were always excited when Grandpa Bob would come over but no one was more excited than our little dog Cookie who inevitably wet all over my Grandpa's shoes EVERY TIME he came over. My grandpa laughed and laughed EVERY TIME.
Gramps drove really cool sports cars and loved watching sports, especially tennis. I was only a decent tennis player but whenever I would play on the court outside his condo he would come out to watch and offer gentle tips and words of encouragement. He was meticulous with his things. I always stood in awe at the cleanliness and order of his garage, tool box, and collections of Presidential campaign pins. I think those pins started me on my infatuation with Presidents and U.S. History. Gramps must have been a staunch Republican because he only ever referred to President Clinton Mr. Clinton or just plain Bill. I hope he doesn't hold it against me that I voted for Obama. He had a great collection of old books and my cousins and I loved searching through the books till we could find the one where he had cut holes through several pages in order to hide old credit cards.
Gramps was my first date.
There was a 1950's themed daddy-daughter date at our church and my dad couldn't make it so
Grandpa Bob graciously stepped in.
Do we look great or what?
I have to say it is a little miracle that I even found this picture. All my childhood photos are still boxed up in Utah so it is an absolute blessing that I just happened to come across this photo this morning when I was going through my wedding photos.
I was barely pregnant with Jack when Grandpa Bob passed away so none of my children got to meet him. But today, in honor of their Great Grandpa Bob my kids heard all about him while they ate poached eggs ( I am way too squeemish to serve them runny...but I told them that's how Grandpa Bob would have liked them) I bought them tennis rackets and as soon as the rain clears up this week we are going to hit some balls then come home to enjoy my newly organized garage and listen to a little fiddling.
Happy Birthday Gramps!
