I’m a really lucky girl! I have 3 sets of Grandparents plus one adopted Grandmother. A few nights ago me and Huck were sharing memories of times spent with our Grandparents. I thought it would make a great blog post to share some of my favorite memories with each of them, and today just so happen to be Grandparents Day. It was meant to be!
The Gay’s
My grandparents live in Florida, so growing up, I didn’t get to see them that often. We would always go visit for Spring Break and during the summer, though. I get my emotions from my Nanny. I remember every time we would leave she would be waving and crying in the driveway! I completely understand that now.
Nanny Gay
I actually have two favorite memories with my mom’s mom. About 5 years ago, my mom was very sick. She spend months in and out of the hospital. My Nanny came into town to help take care of her and be there for her. One of my best memories with my Nanny was during some of my worst memories. I remember one day spending all day at the hospital with my Nanny and Mom, and I really got to know her. We talked all day, and she shared stories about her life. I learned about her childhood and her life now. I never felt like I knew much about her, so spending that day learning more about who she is, meant so much to me.
My second memory is during a trip to her house with my cousins when we were younger. One night, me and my cousin Matt put a fake snake in the bathroom. We went to bed and staring at the door waiting and listening for Nanny to find the snake {We are so mean, I know!} Of course she did find our snake, and freaked out! That wasn’t the only time we did that to her, either. I blame our parents for letting us buy fake snakes to scare Nanny with.
Papa George
My grandparents were married way before I was born, so Papa George has always been my Papa.
He was an electrician and to this day still wears a button up work shirt with pencils in his pocket. Growing up, I would always try to take pencils out of his pocket. He would act mad, try hiding them, or yell for my Grandmother to tell us to stop {he was just joking} To this day, me, Tabby, and my cousins still try to take the pencils.
The Brooks’
My Papa Brooks is the the youngest 70 year old I know. If you go to his house, there will be an old Western movie on the TV and he’ll offer you some of his special brew the whole time you’re there. He comes from long line of ‘brewers’, and I hope to one day carry on the tradition.
Papa Brooks
Me and my cousin, Jameson, spent about a week at my Papa’s house when I was in middle school {I think}. Papa didn’t cook but he would take us to Waffle House everyday. I think he only ate once a day that whole week, because when me and Jameson would get hungry, we would walk to my Great Aunt’s house. We spent that week watching black and white westerns and eating Waffle House.
He’s adopted Huck as a new Grandson, too. They call each other regularly, and Papa always tells me I picked a good one. Oh, and if me and Huck every break up, he’s still welcome to come visit. I’m sure he would disown me at that point :)
Joan
My Papa and Joan were married when I was younger and recently got back together. I do remember when I was younger riding around on the four wheeler with her, petting her cows, and talking her ear off :) I wasn’t always so quite. Last Christmas, we watched some home videos and it confirmed my motor mouth and my country accent.
The Mathis’
I spent the most time growing up with my dad’s parents. I’m the oldest grandchild and started spending the night, with them, when I was 6 weeks old. To say they spoiled me is an understatement for sure!
Nanny Mathis
On our last trip to Georgia, I setup my Nanny’s computer with Skype. We’ve spent hours talking to each other on the computer since then. It’s not the same as sitting around their dining room table, talking in person, but it’s a lot closer than a phone call. I actually get to see her face. Like with my Nanny Gay, I’ve learned a lot about her life. Little facts about her like what her first job was, how she meant my Papa, and that she was born at home. Skypeing is a special time just for the two of us and I enjoy it so much. Now, I just need her to fix her camera so we can go back to our regular Skype dates :)
Papa Mathis
I get my adventurous eating from my Papa Mathis. And maybe my love for cooking. This man can cook. I’ve always said I wanted us to open a BBQ restaurant together. He makes the best everything and I’m not being bias. It is a fact!
He makes the best Brunswick stew I’ve ever had! Huck agrees. No ones comes close. And when he makes it, he makes enough to feed an army! I’ve always wanted to learn how to make it, so one day we planned to make a half batch. A half batch included 3 Boston Butts if that gives you an idea of how much Brunswick stew I’m talking about. He starts at like 5AM and it took all day from start to finish. I arrived early that day a little before 5 ready to cook. We cooked and watched stuff cook all day. He doesn’t really have a recipe for the Brunswick stew. “You look for the right color of red” he told me… Just like any good grandparent recipe! I picked his brain all day about how he makes this, how do you do that, where did you learn to cook this. In the end, I left with a years supply of Brunswick stew and a life time of memories!
Adopted Grandmother
Since meeting Huck, I have another Grandmother to add to the list.
Oma
Oma {German for Grandmother} is Huck’s grandmother. He was very close to her and after I met her, I officially adopted her as my own Grandmother. She actually told Huck I was a keeper many times :)
Oma was born in German and Huck and I decided to dress up in Lederhosen and go surprise her. It was our Halloween costumes if you’re wondering why someone would just randomly dress up like that.
When she saw our outfits she started crying. It was a complete success! She also told me my boobs looked very big in my outfit! I love Oma. She said what was on her mind. I enjoyed getting to know her and learning about Huck as a child. She would tell me the good/embarrassing stories! Part of our trip to Germany, we plan to visit the city where she was born.
All my favorite memories are times spent learning about my Grandparents. These people helped make me the person I am today!
I’m lucky to say I know each one of them personally. The memories I shared are just a few of memories I have of them, but the ones that standout.
Happy Grandparents Day!
For Grandparents Day call your grandparents if you can. I called my Nanny Gay last week, and I know it meant a lot to her {she told me multiple time and then told my mom, too :)}
I still have tears in my eyes. We are truly Blessed to have them all in our lives. Thank You for share and you need to have Joan share you song of “Little Sandy and Andy”, because when I read this I think of you so little singing that song, Nanny Mathis would like to see it too, since she thought it to you. Happy Grandparents Day to All the Special Grandparent out there that are still sharing their childhood with their grandchildren.
I didn’t mean to make you cry! And you’ll have to show this to Nanny Gay!
Sloan THANK YOU SO MUCH for remembering my MOM for Grandparents Day. sometimes it is hard for me but I know my mom would be that happy to know you and Chris are thinking of her, beside that who would be so crazy to wear those outfits. HA HA love it!!!!!!!!! love you two
Im so happy that you love your family so much that means alot. And Thank You for thinking about my mom. I really miss her, And she really loved those outfits you two crazy kids wore. HA HA
I miss her too!! And it was worth looking like fouls to make Oma happy!