Each of our lives is a story unfolding. In a story there are good
chapters and well, not so good chapters, yet in every story there
are characters. When my story is complete, it will not be without
mention of the beloved people in my life that helped shape and mold
me into the woman I am - many of whom are in this room today. One of
the special characters in my story is Grammy Watts.
I didn't have the privilege of growing up in the same house during childhood so when I think of my childhood and my family, one of the first thoughts that comes to my mind is Grammy's house. That beautiful blue house at the top of the hill on Walnut Street. The ride to her house was an adventure in itself. Brad and I still refer to it as the roller coaster road. I don't know exactly what it was about that house that always beckoned me home; maybe it was the fact that it was my dad's childhood home and he and my mom started dating while dad lived in that house; maybe it was the smell of the pine wood floors (I think they were pine); maybe it was all the wonderful antique furniture that held a glimpse into the past; maybe it was the smell of toast in the morning and the sweet taste of Grammy's strawberry jam; or simply the fact that it was in a small town. Whatever it was, I will always remember walking in the back door at Grammy's house and finding her sitting on the couch in the family room (with that monstrous console TV), doing her crossword puzzles. She seriously could have authored crossword puzzles herself after all those years!
As I think of Grammy today, a flood of memories come; all of the card games we played as an extended family gathered around the kitchen table, the Christmas plays, all of the family sleeping in every nook & cranny in that old house and learning phrases from Grammy like, "Oh Frost!". A recent favorite memory of mine was visiting Grammy at her apartment in Indiana nearly 10 years ago. I was in the area for a college friends wedding and stayed with Grammy. It was just she and I that night - which was rare. That weekend happened to be only one week after I went on my first date with Ben. I remember talking to her about this special "boy". I told her all about him and she asked if I thought he may be the "One". Sure enough, he was and I'm thankful I got to share that special moment with her. Although, later, when she finally got to meet him, she made the comment that he "looked" Jewish even after I already told her that we met at our church! That was Grammy - always speaking her mind. :)
I will also cherish all the handmade gifts: ceramic bunnies, Christmas ornaments engraved with her initials and the pillows she made for me that have "Love Grammy" stitched on the back, one of which is now on my daughter's bed.
So, Grammy, here's to your long and legacy - filled life! Your story is now complete. My hope and prayer is that one day my story may leave a legacy of love for those around me - just like yours.
I didn't have the privilege of growing up in the same house during childhood so when I think of my childhood and my family, one of the first thoughts that comes to my mind is Grammy's house. That beautiful blue house at the top of the hill on Walnut Street. The ride to her house was an adventure in itself. Brad and I still refer to it as the roller coaster road. I don't know exactly what it was about that house that always beckoned me home; maybe it was the fact that it was my dad's childhood home and he and my mom started dating while dad lived in that house; maybe it was the smell of the pine wood floors (I think they were pine); maybe it was all the wonderful antique furniture that held a glimpse into the past; maybe it was the smell of toast in the morning and the sweet taste of Grammy's strawberry jam; or simply the fact that it was in a small town. Whatever it was, I will always remember walking in the back door at Grammy's house and finding her sitting on the couch in the family room (with that monstrous console TV), doing her crossword puzzles. She seriously could have authored crossword puzzles herself after all those years!
As I think of Grammy today, a flood of memories come; all of the card games we played as an extended family gathered around the kitchen table, the Christmas plays, all of the family sleeping in every nook & cranny in that old house and learning phrases from Grammy like, "Oh Frost!". A recent favorite memory of mine was visiting Grammy at her apartment in Indiana nearly 10 years ago. I was in the area for a college friends wedding and stayed with Grammy. It was just she and I that night - which was rare. That weekend happened to be only one week after I went on my first date with Ben. I remember talking to her about this special "boy". I told her all about him and she asked if I thought he may be the "One". Sure enough, he was and I'm thankful I got to share that special moment with her. Although, later, when she finally got to meet him, she made the comment that he "looked" Jewish even after I already told her that we met at our church! That was Grammy - always speaking her mind. :)
I will also cherish all the handmade gifts: ceramic bunnies, Christmas ornaments engraved with her initials and the pillows she made for me that have "Love Grammy" stitched on the back, one of which is now on my daughter's bed.
So, Grammy, here's to your long and legacy - filled life! Your story is now complete. My hope and prayer is that one day my story may leave a legacy of love for those around me - just like yours.
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