It is cold outside this evening. I can hear the blowing wind moving past the basement windows. The curtains move as a puff finds the way through. Taped up along the ceiling is twisted crepe paper and cut outs of pumpkins, apples, gourds and all sorts of harvest fruits and vegetables with a helping of straw. And in many cases not only cut outs but the real thing lying on the tables. My favorite was the shook ears of corn; husk still on them pulled back with a pretty ribbon tied around for decoration. The dried yellow kernels on the cobs were neat but when Granny and Grand Pa Homer could get Indian corn with all its colors, that was the highlight for a little boy of yesteryear.
I noticed as I walked in the kitchen door upstairs the wonderful smells. Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry’s, Mashed Potato’s, Giblet Gravy, and many sweets and deserts to go along with the dishes of candy setting here, there and everywhere. Could that be West Haven cake in the air? Oh Yes, I remember, Granny almost always made a side pan of Oyster Stuffing just for me, I think. Evan though I’m an old man now I still love that stuff!
The basement was full of children stirring about doing the things kids do. Sometimes the noise level had to be adjusted by a louder shout. “You kids settle down!” from one of the dad’s.
And what do I remember about God and His place there? God was always welcome in Granny and Grand Pa Homer’s house. He always got first place at mealtime. I never ate a dinner there where Thanks were not offered up to Him before the first plate was filled. You know what? I can say that about both my maternal and paternal Grand Parents. God Bless them all for showing me the Way.
We sometimes think it’s our right to know our Grand Parents but that is not the case. Let me say I had the Privilege. Yes it is a Privilege to know them. For one to know your roots can be done without physically meeting but to have actually known them means so much more. You young people would not believe what a blessing those memories are when you get old.
But even this aged old man with all my years did not get to know Grand Mother Maxine’s father; he went to be with the Lord when she was about 6 years old, on Valentines Day. However I did get to know my Papaw her first stepfather. Not many of you will remember Papaw Heber, Granny’s later husband, he passed away in 1960. I guess Nettie and maybe Richard would be the only ones old enough to remember him. And lastly Granny married Grand Pa Homer. They hosted wonderful Holidays for all her family to enjoy with them.
On the paternal side of my family I did not get to know my Grand Mother as she too went on to be with the Lord when Dad, Grand Pa Steve, was only a little boy of 5. His dad though lived a long life, we all called him Grand Paw. He remarried a lady who became Grand Pa Steve’s stepmother. Her name was Grand Ma Bernice. A wonderful God loving women.
To any sells pitch there is always a bottom line. You mommies and daddies with young children let your kids know and love their Grand Parents, Great Grand Parents and Great, Great Grand Parents. It’s their privilege, give it to them.
Timothygme