A few years ago when we were faced with three job layoffs within eight months (thanks to the lovely economy) we decided to make a career change and Jared applied to graduate schools. The university we chose to attend happened to be in the town my grandparents lived in. I was born in that same town and until I was five spent most of my days with my grandparents while my single mom was at work.
When the graduate school acceptance letters started to come Jared and I ultimately chose Utah State University because it was a good school, but going back to the place of my earliest childhood memories was a bonus and I was anxious to spend more time with my grandparents. I lived several states away from my grandparents most of my life, but they are in most of my earliest memories and they have helped define many parts of who I am today.
When Jared and I moved our family to our new college home I regularly went to my grandparents’ home to help my grandma with housework, scrapbook, watch TV, read the newspaper, or just chat. My grandma is the social one.
One day I started asking my grandpa about his life experiences. He is rather reserved and didn’t open up very easily but after a bit of proding he started telling me parts of his life story. My grandma filled in the blanks. Then Grandma pulled out old books of rememberance and I scoured pages of faded black and white photos and newspaper clippings. After a bit of coaxing she let me bring some of the pages home where I wrote down all the information my grandpa had shared and scanned hundreds of photos. Then I started writing their story in digital scrapbook page form.
I had awesome plans for a book I wanted to make my grandparents. They were approaching their 60th wedding anniversary and I thought it would be the perfect celebration gift.
Then my grandpa had a stroke and could no longer remember many of the stories he had once told me. In fact, some days he couldn’t even remember who I was. It made me even more determined to finish that scrapbook.
But then life got busy.
We had a new baby. And Jared got really busy in school. And, and, and…
Graduation approached and we made plans to move from my childhood town and I was now pregnant with our third child. Finishing the scrapbook frequently nagged my mind but I ignored and justified. Too busy.
We are planning a summer road trip back in a few weeks and I had planned to finally finish that book to give my grandpa. I knew his health was getting worse and was prepared to see him for possibly the last time in July.
But then on May 18th my mom called to let me know Grandpa had passed.
Mixed feelings…instant regret for not finishing his book in time for him to see. I’m mad at myself for not making the time and now it’s too late. But I’m also grateful I took the time to write down the memories my grandpa shared with me. I’m so grateful to have the memories of listening to his story first hand and that I can pass it down to my children.
{{hugs}}
[Reply]
You were blessed with grandparents that loved you. And you blessed their lives, and continue to for the ones that are still with us. Finish the book and give it to your grandmother–it will be a treasure to her first and, later on, to your children.
[Reply]