My Grandfather on my Dad's side died when he was in his 40's . My Dad was very young . I own a Model 12 shotgun that belonged to him and I've seen two photographs of him . That's the extent of it . I would give anything to be able to sit down and have a conversation with him .
What would I give...
- Thread starter Ivan the Butcher
- Start date
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
Grand parents
Both my grandfathers passed away before I was born. Maternal grandfather was a stone cutter/monument maker and died of lung disease. Paternal died of stomach cancer a few months before I was born. Paternal grandma had a severe, crippling stroke when I was young and I don't have any real memories of her. Maternal grandma lived to a ripe old age and buried three husbands who died of natural causes. I remember her fondly.
Both my grandfathers passed away before I was born. Maternal grandfather was a stone cutter/monument maker and died of lung disease. Paternal died of stomach cancer a few months before I was born. Paternal grandma had a severe, crippling stroke when I was young and I don't have any real memories of her. Maternal grandma lived to a ripe old age and buried three husbands who died of natural causes. I remember her fondly.
I was the late hatch (4th of 5) of a late hatch (5th of 5) and an only child late hatch... paternal grandfather died before my parents met... paternal grandmother died when I was about ten and wasn't a bad person, just not fun for a kid... maternal grandfather died when I was 4 1/2... memories of him are black licorice & tobacco and playing with kittens while milking cows... maternal grandmother made it into my teens... she could cook... and adored her grandkids... spoiled us rotten... in fact taught me how to cook many things... I just got off the phone with my niece giving her her great grandmother's potato water sweet bread cinnamon roll recipe... thanks for adding to the wonderful memories...
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
My Mom's Mom used to have teacakes (as she called them) made fresh when we visited them at the farm in Arkansas...Grandmama served them up with iced tea made with well water that I drew up from the well in back of the house hand dug by Poppy before I was born...What would I give for a glass of water from that well again?...Whatever the cost it would be priceless to me...
I missed my chance at the memory of a snack with Dad's Mom, and so did he...She died in the worldwide Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 when Dad was 2 years old......Ben
My Grandmother died in January, 1915, probably from the flu epidemic. I have a journal written by my Dad. (born March 1, 1904), shortly after she passed away, when he was about 11/12 years old. It will rip your heart right out of your chest.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
OP
Ivan the Butcher
Member
My wife's grandmother, Naomi, lived into her 88th year. In 2007 at Christmas we were all gathered at my M-I-l's home for the celebration. Naomi was blind from macular degeneration and couldn't see the last few years of her life, so on Christmas morning my wife and her sister sat on each side of Naomi and took turns describing the unwrapping of each gift by a great grand child. The scene will forever be locked in my mind of the precious time my wife, her sister, & grandmother had around the tree will her family scattered all around Naomi! When Naomi went home late the next spring, the 9 great grandkids took it pretty hard! I know they would give anything to have a snack with Naomi, as would I. (Naomi's mom was Effy Mae, and was a hoot, I only met her twice, but what a gal!)
Ivan
Ivan
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
You just brought back an old memory for me.
My grandparents lived on the old family homestead in Missouri and drew water from their own well too. Due to the limestone in the area the water was incredibly sweet tasting. They kept an old aluminum "dipper" that held about 12 ounces sitting on the counter next to the sink that we all used when we wanted a drink. It was a hold-over from when I was just a little tyke and they didn't have running water - just a hand pump at the well head on the back porch, and a bucket to haul it water from the pump into the kitchen.
Grandma even cooked on a wood stove back in those days. I can just barely remember my dad putting in the indoor plumbing and the bathroom in their house when I was about 4 years old and installing the propane tank for a gas stove and furnace a couple of years later. Prior to that they used the outhouse out back and the wood stove for heat.
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Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
I thought I heard someone mention tea cakes.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
One year in the 50's our family was driving to Grandmama and Poppy's farm in Columbia County, Arkansas when Mom suddenly realized she had left her Mom's present at home...It was Sunday with almost no stores open, so she had Dad stop at a hardware store on Highway 80 in Marshall so she could find something for her...We had very little spending money, and what can you find to give your mother in a hardware store?...
By sheer luck they had a pottery cookie jar shaped like a smiling, fat Indian chief for 50 cents...She bought it and gave it to Grandmama along with the card she remembered to bring...She was thrilled with it, and filled it up with the fresh baked teacakes she just took out of the oven...Years later when Grandmama passed on Mom got the cookie jar back and sometime in the late 90's she found a collector who needed it for his collection...He was overjoyed to find it, and immediately sent her a check for $750 adding that she should tell him how much shipping cost so he could reimburse her for that expense...She told him the $750 covered the shipping also...
I wonder what that jar would be worth today full of Grandmama's teacakes?...I would gladly trade a really nice S&W revolver for it...Maybe even throw in a box of ammo...
...Ben
My mom's grandmother passed when I was 16. She was the only great grand parent that I remember. I was in my twenties when I lost both of my grandmothers. My Dad's mother died when she was 94. She had five husbands and outlived them all. She had eleven kids by the first three men.
The second and third husbands were brothers. My Dad's Dad died when my Dad was only five years old. My Grandfather died in 1919 from the Spanish Flu. I have postcards he sent my grandmother and they look like my hand writing. I am named after him so it's a little spooky.
My grandmother was on the Oklahoma land rush with her first husband when she was only 14. He died shortly after that.
Her last husband was what I knew to be my grandfather. When I was a kid I stuck to that old man like glue. He farmed some small acreage with horses, raised hogs, kept a couple cows and bought and sold farm equipment. One of his cows was pregnant and he told me if it was a heifer I could have it. That old man taught me to pray and it was a heifer.
The second and third husbands were brothers. My Dad's Dad died when my Dad was only five years old. My Grandfather died in 1919 from the Spanish Flu. I have postcards he sent my grandmother and they look like my hand writing. I am named after him so it's a little spooky.
My grandmother was on the Oklahoma land rush with her first husband when she was only 14. He died shortly after that.
Her last husband was what I knew to be my grandfather. When I was a kid I stuck to that old man like glue. He farmed some small acreage with horses, raised hogs, kept a couple cows and bought and sold farm equipment. One of his cows was pregnant and he told me if it was a heifer I could have it. That old man taught me to pray and it was a heifer.
I never met my dad's parents. He immigrated from Europe, while they remained there. They both passed away when I was young. Knew them only thru photos. Grew up with my moms parents, who also immigrated from Europe. They were both born around 1895. Growing up together, it was only natural that they marry. I can remember them both. He was a wounded WWI veteran, very proud of his service. A short fireplug of a man. Spent most of his life as a Seaman. He could be tough when he needed to be, but next to my dad, he was the gentlest most dignified man I knew. Grandma did what grandmas do - she cooked and baked a lot, least wise, that how I remember it. Lots of funny stories about them and their life together. Too many to go thru here.
I think of them often.
Thanks, Ivan .
I think of them often.
Thanks, Ivan .
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31FordA
Member
I was lucky enough to know all my grandparents. I really had five of them, since my great aunt Helen was like an extra grandmother. My mothers parents were "Mom and Pop" because that's what everyone called them. Aunt Helen was my mothers aunt. Aunt Helen never had kids, but my mother was her favorite niece, and my brother and I were treated like her grandchildren. My fathers parents were "Grandmom and Grandpop". I was born on the same street in Philly as Grandpop, Palmer Street, one block apart.
Pop passed away first when I was 10, and Grandpop was the last to go when I was 20. They were all wonderful, and I have lots of happy memories. I can still hear Mom singing "You Are My Sunshine" while playing the piano, and telling me "Be good and be careful" whenever I left the house. Grandmom's Irish brogue, Aunt Helen bringing a shopping bag of snacks for even a short car trip, Pop taking me to see "The Legend of the Lone Ranger". Grandpop and his stories of Philly in the Roaring 20's. I miss them all everyday.
When I was in boot camp at Parris Island we were allowed to use the pay phones as a reward one day. I called Grandpop and spoke with him for the couple of minutes we were given. My Dad told me later that my call meant the world to Grandpop. Everyone he met got to hear about his grandson in the Marines taking the time to call. I wish I could talk with him now.
Pop passed away first when I was 10, and Grandpop was the last to go when I was 20. They were all wonderful, and I have lots of happy memories. I can still hear Mom singing "You Are My Sunshine" while playing the piano, and telling me "Be good and be careful" whenever I left the house. Grandmom's Irish brogue, Aunt Helen bringing a shopping bag of snacks for even a short car trip, Pop taking me to see "The Legend of the Lone Ranger". Grandpop and his stories of Philly in the Roaring 20's. I miss them all everyday.
When I was in boot camp at Parris Island we were allowed to use the pay phones as a reward one day. I called Grandpop and spoke with him for the couple of minutes we were given. My Dad told me later that my call meant the world to Grandpop. Everyone he met got to hear about his grandson in the Marines taking the time to call. I wish I could talk with him now.
My mother's dad died when I was about 4, Supposedly we were buds, but I have no recollection of him. My Mom's stepmother wasn't a very nice lady and she died when I was 14 and I knew her but she didn't speak English so I never had a conversation with her.
My dad's dad died when my dad was 14, My dad's mom lived with us a while when we were kids, and before I started first grade, she used to take me into downtown Pittsburgh on the trolley. She'd walk my legs off, get us lunch somewhere, and sometimes see a movie. She always made popcorn when we were watching TV. The smell of popcorn always reminds me of her.
When bought my first house, she was living with my aunt, about 200 yards up the hill from my back yard. She frequently would come and sit on my back porch and visit with us. I cherished the time I had with her.
My dad's dad died when my dad was 14, My dad's mom lived with us a while when we were kids, and before I started first grade, she used to take me into downtown Pittsburgh on the trolley. She'd walk my legs off, get us lunch somewhere, and sometimes see a movie. She always made popcorn when we were watching TV. The smell of popcorn always reminds me of her.
When bought my first house, she was living with my aunt, about 200 yards up the hill from my back yard. She frequently would come and sit on my back porch and visit with us. I cherished the time I had with her.
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I really enjoyed your letter. It reminded me of stories that my great uncle and my grandparents told me. There are probably young people that think stories like that are not the truth but for those people it was just life.
My maternal grandmother died when mom was a baby but I can vaguely remember going to see her mother. She was the only great grandparent that was alive in 1941 when I was born. Larry
My grandmother lived to be 105, and raised 9 kids on her own (granddad died in 1955) and was very active until she broke her hip for the 2nd time at 104,
she cooked and cleaned every day and grew a lot of her own vegies, she never did learn to read or write. Always enjoyed when it was her birthday and everyone showed up to celebrate.
she cooked and cleaned every day and grew a lot of her own vegies, she never did learn to read or write. Always enjoyed when it was her birthday and everyone showed up to celebrate.
My Grandfather died shortly after writing that. My Grandmother came to live with us for awhile. She took me in her 66 Chevrolet to get my drives license.
GypsmJim
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In our family it always seemed that when one was coming, another was going.
I was blessed in that I knew all my grandparents, and lived with them for a very long time.
When we found out we were expecting, we happily but sheepishly told my Grandpa. He passed away only a couple months later (we just "knew" it would happen)
My sons were blessed in that they both got to know ALL of their Grandparents and HALF of their Great Grandparents.
When Great Grandpa died, my son was 12. It would be his first funeral. On the way home he said to me: "Gee, I hope we don't have to do THAT again". Little did we know that only 2 months later.......
I was blessed in that I knew all my grandparents, and lived with them for a very long time.
When we found out we were expecting, we happily but sheepishly told my Grandpa. He passed away only a couple months later (we just "knew" it would happen)
My sons were blessed in that they both got to know ALL of their Grandparents and HALF of their Great Grandparents.
When Great Grandpa died, my son was 12. It would be his first funeral. On the way home he said to me: "Gee, I hope we don't have to do THAT again". Little did we know that only 2 months later.......
AJ
US Veteran
I was born in 1951. All four of my Grandparents were alive until I was in my 30's. I remember both of my Great-Grandfathers, one was born in 1878 and the other in 1879, both lived until I was nine, so I remember them both. One Great-Grandmother lived until I was 17. So I guess I should count myself lucky. I tell folks my corporate memory goes back to 1878, as I can remember stories told to me by all of them.
Speaking of letters; my grandmother died in 2000 at the age of 94. She was born completely deaf. She never let it slow her down and she was constantly upbeat and cheerful. She was a lovely human being.
Right before she passed she wrote a letter to my mom. In that letter she said that the only true regret she had in life was not knowing what the voices of her loved ones sounded like but she joyfully anticipated the day when she found out.
Mom still has the letter.
Right before she passed she wrote a letter to my mom. In that letter she said that the only true regret she had in life was not knowing what the voices of her loved ones sounded like but she joyfully anticipated the day when she found out.
Mom still has the letter.
