Being a bit of attention seeking a-hole, I haven't taken much time to use my blog for anything besides ranting about my own personal mommy woes. Thank you Jay for reminding me that "it isn't all about me."
Lessons from Grandma
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy, when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear how much I love you,
So please don’t take my sunshine away.”
These are the words that rocked me to sleep at Grandma’s house. They play softly in my mind whenever I think of her. From the time I was born, my grandmother was the sunshine in my day. She was unconditional warmth, surrounding me like a security blanket, allowing me to feel safe and loved. Under her love I blossomed and grew. At two I was tap dancing in the kitchen, by five riding the kiddie coasters gripping her hand, by ten we were taking adventures to cities I’d never dreamed I would go.
Time spent in the yellow house was a time of hidden treasures and laughter. At Grandma’s house we were always "on vacation." From sneaking Oreos in the cookie jar, to staying up past our bedtime playing Bingo, we got away with things that we couldn't at home. When asked for pancakes for dinner, Grandma would say, “Why not, you’re on vacation!”
At Grandma's house I learned a something I carry with me daily. It's the sweet, silly things in life that make life worth living. Yes, I learned to do many new things; how to bake lemon cake, how to dance the polka, how to play Rummy 500. But it was those first bites of a cake we had baked, whirling around the room to ‘Bring Out the Barrels,” and cheering when we had reached 500 that made me understand what being alive should feel like.
I wonder now how my grandma put up with my sister and I, buzzing about the house, creating messes with glitter and glue, never making our beds, and digging holes in the back yard. If these things bothered her, she never said a word. It is in this demonstration of patience and understanding that I learned another lesson. I learned the meaning of unconditional love.
And so Grandma, I will not say goodbye. Each moment of happiness I have, you are there. Every time I dance, ride a roller coaster, or just sit and enjoy the sweet, silly things in life, you are sitting beside me, smiling. And when I put your great-grandson, who you never got to meet, to bed at night I sing to him with with you in my heart, “You are my sunshine.”
On that happy note, I would like to dedicate my first Tuesday's Tribute to another smart cookie, my grandmother - my sunshine, the warmth shining down on me from heaven.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lessons from Grandma“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy, when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear how much I love you,
So please don’t take my sunshine away.”
These are the words that rocked me to sleep at Grandma’s house. They play softly in my mind whenever I think of her. From the time I was born, my grandmother was the sunshine in my day. She was unconditional warmth, surrounding me like a security blanket, allowing me to feel safe and loved. Under her love I blossomed and grew. At two I was tap dancing in the kitchen, by five riding the kiddie coasters gripping her hand, by ten we were taking adventures to cities I’d never dreamed I would go.
Time spent in the yellow house was a time of hidden treasures and laughter. At Grandma’s house we were always "on vacation." From sneaking Oreos in the cookie jar, to staying up past our bedtime playing Bingo, we got away with things that we couldn't at home. When asked for pancakes for dinner, Grandma would say, “Why not, you’re on vacation!”
At Grandma's house I learned a something I carry with me daily. It's the sweet, silly things in life that make life worth living. Yes, I learned to do many new things; how to bake lemon cake, how to dance the polka, how to play Rummy 500. But it was those first bites of a cake we had baked, whirling around the room to ‘Bring Out the Barrels,” and cheering when we had reached 500 that made me understand what being alive should feel like.
I wonder now how my grandma put up with my sister and I, buzzing about the house, creating messes with glitter and glue, never making our beds, and digging holes in the back yard. If these things bothered her, she never said a word. It is in this demonstration of patience and understanding that I learned another lesson. I learned the meaning of unconditional love.
And so Grandma, I will not say goodbye. Each moment of happiness I have, you are there. Every time I dance, ride a roller coaster, or just sit and enjoy the sweet, silly things in life, you are sitting beside me, smiling. And when I put your great-grandson, who you never got to meet, to bed at night I sing to him with with you in my heart, “You are my sunshine.”
9 comments:
This is a beautiful post. It brought a few tears to my eyes. What a beautiful way to share your most sweet and tender moments with your Grandmother. God Bless Her.
what a beautiful relationship the two of you had! reading about your incredible grandmother made me happy today. thanks for sharing!
that was beautiful....and what a special woman.....makes me miss my grandmothers oh so much....What a wonderful tribute
Grandma's rock! Great post!
What a great tribute to your Grandma!
Fantastic Rachel, really. I had one of those Grandmas as well, and I miss her all the time. Thanks so much for reminding me...I owe her a tribute soon.
Great work. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!!
Jay
that was a wonderful tribute.
My mom sang that song to my nephew when he was little. So cool.
I adored this!!!
I so wish I had a grandma like this. ;-)
So I havent checked out this blog in a really looooong time. That was beautiful Rachel. I thought about her all day on February 2..I even asked her, "Did you see the groundhog?" I think the splash or rain we've seen is her way of saying yes. Damn the winter! I love you and I miss you and Grandma is always watching over us and Noah too :) WE are her sunshine still! xoxo
Post a Comment