Grandparent Gifts

I am thrilled to remind all of you that today is National Grandparent Day. Being a grandparent is a huge and delightful component of my life these days, but I’m drawn to think about my own grandparents today. Although my family did not live in close proximity to our extended family, I remember well visits to my paternal grandmother’s house in New York where hearth was defined by her heart. She made the best pound cake, and I can still feel the softness of her humble hands which reflected her genuine authenticity. There was nothing fancy about my grandmother, Mary, but her smile and open arms never waned. Never do I see a thimble without feeling grateful her legacy of memories.

Contrast my grandmother, Mary with my other grandmother, Florence. Her kid leather gloves always matched her pillbox hat. Her appearance was stellar, and her familiar smell lingered for years in her multitude of specialty purses that matched her extensive spread of shoes in her closet. I remember playing dress up in that closet and prancing around in those shoes I longed to grow into. Her laugh was infectious, and although not really accomplished in the kitchen, she made a pretty great leg of lamb.

It's funny what we remember about our grandparents. I know my children remember the cheese sticks in their grandmother’s fridge always available when we popped in for a visit. That grandmother was known to slip her grandkids a couple of 20 dollar bills when home on college break. She preferred stealth generosity which was always given at just the right time. My kids also remember their other grandmother, my mom with a constant supply of Menthos candies in her purse. Such treats made Sunday mass togetherness a bit more “sweet.” Speaking of attending mass with my kids and my mom, I remember the mutual and infectious giggle fits shared between the whole lot of them disrupting the priest’s protracted sermons. I think it’s the only time I gave my mom one of those classic disapproving eyebrow raises. Her eyes, in defiant contrast, oozed with delight.

Every grandparent-grandchild relationship has distinctive sensory nuances that last for all time; like that weird bird lamp in the front foyer, or the slightly scratchy feel of the worn velveteen couch. Or, what about the kitchen cabinet where the candy was stored, or yes, even the television volume loud enough to be heard down the street. My grandmother’s old upright piano with yellowed keys brought celebration and lively sing along fun anytime and all the time when we gathered. There are just so many memories which are fun to excavate from years ago. I realize how my grandparents remain still so impactful for me.

My gift for this Grandparent’s Day happened recently when my grandson, upon seeing me, ran to give me hug. With his baseball hat on backwards and that unique 8 year old smile where big teeth coexist with little teeth, he raised his eyes and looked right into my eyes. “Nona, you’re just the right size for a hug,” he said as he squeezed his arms around me. I’m very fortunate to have many of those moments with all my grandkids. My heart overflows with gratitude for them as they keep me grounded with the best kind of love. When all’s said and done, as I think about my legacy as a grandmother, I’ll be just fine being remembered as just the right size for a hug.