Deanna Beaver
Why are grandparents given such a grand title? What does grand mean?
I decided to Google synonyms for ‘grand’ and found magnificent, glorious, epic, monumental, and royal. I’m here to say, I concur.
Grandchildren are sweet gifts from God. It doesn’t matter how tired you are, there is always energy for those little cherubs. However, the next day, your body may feel like it has been run over by a dump truck. Don’t worry, a good night’s sleep will have you up to snuff in no time, as well as Meloxicam, just saying.
Don’t get me wrong, I am blessed to have two wonderful grandchildren. I adore them and probably brag about them to the point of overload — sorry, not sorry. They make my heart sing.
I have fond memories of my grandparents, both maternal and paternal. I was fortunate enough to have had two great-grandmothers whom I knew and interacted with during my elementary school years. All of my grandparents were very different and unique in the way they left memorable impressions on me.
It’s interesting and humorous how the human mind works. What I take away from an event may be different than the recall of someone else. My cousins may have totally different recollections from the ones I’m sharing.
My grandfathers were hardworking men in their own right. One was a farmer and worked at a livestock market. Granddaddy Otis plowed fields and had a chicken coop before they were rad. He would walk by and squeeze the top of your knee. This affection somehow hurt and tickled, yet also made you laugh. Granddaddy Bill owned a hardware store in our local town. He was the best whistler in town.
My grandmothers were different as well. Grandmama Gladys was very industrious. She could crochet anything you requested. I have several pieces of her handiwork. She cooked three meals a day. When it was time for the noon meal, she signaled Granddaddy by ringing a bell and yodeling, “O-tissss”—somehow, he could hear her even when he was driving a tractor.
On the other hand, Grandmama Earldene was renowned for her talent in creative decorating. Southern Living magazine should have featured her house. She had a small gift shop in the front of my granddaddy’s hardwood store. Years later, she owned and operated a flower shop.
Grandmama Earldene also cooked three meals a day. There was no need to call Granddaddy Bill. He walked a couple of blocks home for lunch at noon every day. He was very punctual. Suppertime was 6:00 sharp.
When I spent the night with my Harrell grandparents, we had devotions and prayed before bed. An overnight stay with my Griffin grandparents included watching Walter Cronkite report the nightly news and Jeopardy. Their devotions were private.
Although each grandparent engaged in the same activities, they approached them in different ways. I loved all of my grandparents and respected them for the Godly people they were and how they loved me in their unique ways.
Reminiscing causes me to wonder what my grandchildren will remember about their grandparents.
Will they remember Papa Joe reading books to them and listening to their stories? Go Bills!
Will they remember Granddaddy Rick’s vast garden, with its variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, where he taught them how to grow and harvest various produce? Go Braves!
Will they remember Grandmama Tricia, GiGi (their great-grandmother), Gramma Patsy (their other great-grandmother), and me, DeeDee, reading, singing, playing games, and going on adventures?
What will they remember? I’ll bet it will be grand, just saying.
Thank you for joining me on my walk down memory lane.
Feel free to reply and share what you remember about your grandparents.
Beautiful. I loved reading about your family, Deanna. What a rich heritage. You and your grandchildren are so blessed. And there’s that word grand again. Magnificent and all the other synonyms you found certainly apply to our grands. Don’t they? ❤️❤️
Cindy, thank you for your kind words. I do feel blessed to have known my grandparents. You are right. Those synonyms for grand, describe our grandchildren. I know my grandparents enjoyed and loved all of their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Grandparenting is indeed grand! I love my 5 sweet ones and enjoy adventures with them. Your post was fun to read and led me to recall memories of my grandparents.
Jeanne, I am so glad you could refelct on time spent with your grandparents. It’s comforting to remember those memories. I know your grandchildren will remember the funs times they had with you and Ray.
Thanks for your trip down memory lane! I took my own trip! From egg custard pies to crabbing at the coast, my grandparents created lifelong memories and am so thankful for their individual contributions to who I am today! Love you friend!
Having never know my grandparents I always love reading about other’s memories. I love being a grandmother to our seven wonderful grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Creating memories with them is a joy i don’t take for granted!
Each one is a gift!
Madeline, I am sorry you didn’t know your grandparents. Your grandchildren are blessed to have you and will remember your love.
Vicki, I have favorite recipies too! I would love to hear about your crabbing adventures at the coast. You, my friend, are the best of all of your influencers. Love you too!
Such sweet memories! You are a lucky lady; just saying. ❤️
Thank you Maggie. I am thankful that I had these and many more experiences with my grandparents. Your grandkids are blessed to have you.
Hey Cuz! I really enjoyed this post, especially reminiscing about Grandmama and Grandaddy Harrell. I guess I’ve been remembering a lot of things and thinking about days gone by since Mama’s passing. And thinking about your Mama, a.k.a. Aunt Patsy, since she is the last surviving member of the Harrell family. Terry and I have eleven grandchildren and we pray that we can leave them the godly legacy that was given to us. Love you!
Love reading your memories and seeing the grandkids on Facebook! We are blessed to be grandparents!
Hey Cuz! I enjoyed reading and reminiscing about Grandmama & Granddaddy Harrell. Precious memories! Terry and I have eleven grandchildren and we pray that we will be able to leave them the godly legacy like we had. Love y’all.
Reuben, I am glad I helped you take a walk down memory lane or should I say Dryfork Road. We certainly made a lot of memories there. You and Terry are blessed just like Psalm 127:5 says. Take care and thank you for reaching out. Love y’all too.
I enjoyed reading about your grandparents and your sweet memories of them! And, I appreciate you letting me share with you about mine the other day. They were, like yours, “Godly people who loved me in their unique ways.” Haley and Elijah are blessed to have wonderful grandparents like you!!
I can’t wait to be a grandparent too!
Jennifer, you will be a fabulous grandparent. I enjoyed hearing about your trips to Metter in the summer. Tell K to bring back Earldene as a possible girl name.JK. Thanks for reading and responding.
ps: Earldene – fantastic name :o)
That’s debatable!LOL
I remember Grandma Beaver sending me lots of Beanie Babies and patiently teaching me how to color within the lines during our visits to her in New York. As for Grandmama Patsy, although she once gave me my shots during childhood visits, my favorite memories of her are from college. Each week, we’d try a new restaurant together in our lighthearted quest to find the best hamburger in Statesboro.
Erica, Gramma Patsy and Gramma Beaver enjoyed those visits too. Thank you for reaching out to them. You have to cultivate relationships. Hold those memories close to your heart.
What a precious tribute to your grandparents! I loved growing up right next to my grandparents and hopping the fence everyday after school to visit them! We loved ringing the outdoor bell for lunch & dinner, riding our pony Tarzan and fishing at the stocked pond with our Granddaddy. We are blessed to be in our grandson’s life ~ we hope he will recall the laughter, the love, endless reading of books, and all the adventures outdoors.
Missy, thanks for sharing your memories of fun times with your grandparents. My grandmother Earlene took me fishing once. She told me I talked too much and scared away the fish. So I had to make a choice— fishing or talking. I’ll let you guess the choice I made. Just saying.
It is definitely a blessing to be an active part in our grandchildren’s daily life.