One of my most vivid memories of my grandmother is piling into the velvet maroon seats in her sedan and going to the “Gummy Bear Store.”  The “Gummy Bear Store” was actually the local gas station, but my grandmother allowed my sisters and me to choose one piece of candy from it, and we usually chose gummy bears.

My grandparents attended all of my talent shows, plays, choir concerts, and graduations.  They were both alive for my wedding and the birth of my oldest daughter.  And I am so grateful that I was able to have them in my life as a young girl.

While they weren’t the wealthiest people, and they never bought me extravagant gifts, they were priceless to me because of the way they loved and spent time with me.  Although I possess no artistic aptitude, my grandmother was a gifted painter.  She bought canvases and tried to teach my sisters and me to paint.  When my sisters and I spent the night with my grandparents, they rented classic musicals for us to watch while we ate Grandpa’s famous popcorn. And my grandparents always hosted holiday parties, complete with my Grandma’s sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top.

Now that I have children of my own, I am keenly aware of how valuable the time is that they spend with their grandparents.  Nana, Grandpa Bob, Gigi, and Poppy Sir love my children with their hearts and souls, and I am so appreciative of the fact that my three little ones will grow up with precious memories of their own grandparents.

I imagine my children will remember never-ending snacks, pink lemonade refills, and piggy back rides.  I hope their grandparents will witness ball-games, recitals, and birthdays.  And most of all, I pray that my kids will look back on these days and feel the emanating love and joy that their “great” grandparents have for them.  I can still feel hugs from my grandma.  I hope that you can, as well.

~Think on These Things~

Natalie