How many of your grandparents did/do you know?
By Carl Halling
@CarlHalling (3617)
United Kingdom
May 5, 2008 3:38am CST
I only knew one of my four grandparents. She was my grandmother, Mary. Although born in England, she spent a good part of her adult life living abroad...in Sri Lanka, Australia (where my dad was born), France, Spain. She was a formidable woman, a keen dinghy sailor unafraid of hard work in the midday sun, her life was highly colourful, unconventional, hard and often tragic, full of loss and sorrow. Three times married, she loved animals dearly. My mother's parents I never knew. Her dad who was of Scots-Irish extraction died while she was still in her teens, while her Glasgow-born mum stayed in Canada where my mum came from. How about you? How many of your grand parents do/did you know? Tell us a little about them. Grandparents are precious; none of us would be here without them. Let's talk a little about them.
2 people like this
2 responses
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
23 May 08
I have known 3 grandparents and 3 great grandparents.
My maternal great grandmother had hair as white as the driven snow - and the most gorgeous sky blue eyes you could imagine. even in her late 90s those eyes never faded a bit. She was always very swift having never lost the faculties of her mind - she would crochet the loveliest of trims around pillow cases - well into her 90s so delicate and intricate.
She was a farm wife, and I remember visiting her in the huge old farmhouse that I loved so dearly as a child. I can recall her using the wringer washer machine - and I fondly remember her old wood cookstove - black as coal it was and pristinely clean. She made the best pies.. my brother and I would go picking wild blue berries and goose berries for her to make pies with....
we sat down at a long white wooden table in her huge dining area to partake in the harvest. :)
she told us a story of her son going berry picking and getting mauled by a bear.
my paternal great grandmother would run up and down the hill to do her gardening - well into HER 90s, though her mind lost its sharpness - her physical prowess was ever so keen. I could sit for hours and listen to her play the piano.
1 person likes this
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
23 May 08
These are wonderful stories; I love your descriptions, so vivid. Your maternal great grandmother sounds beautiful, and she left you with such tender memories. The same with your paternal great grandmother. She lived her life to the full, and was blessed by with great old age. Good for them both, Thanks for such sweet and touching tales.
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
5 May 08
I knew my grandma and my grandpa on my mom and my dads side. I didn't know one of my grandparents very well though because my mom and dad didn't visit them very much. My grandma and hin were separated and lived in separate houses.
My grandparents on my moms side were visited the most. I really don't know why.
My dads parents, which were my grandparents were great. My grandma used to make me laugh all of the time. We used to take grandma camping with us alot.
All of my grandparents are deceased now though.
1 person likes this
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
5 May 08
It sounds like you have very warm memories of your grandparents. Your dad's mother sounds as if she was great fun.
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