I want to share a story about why I love my grandparents so
much. Growing up we lived in Connecticut
but would spend a lot of time in Colorado during the summers, this was by far
my favorite part of growing up. This
meant lots of family to visit and lots of fun things to do. I always loved
going to Deer Trail, loved seeing my Grandpa Don, he was always so funny. I
loved seeing all his work equipment. I had no idea what any of it did, but it
was big and loud. He also owned the local hardware store which was super cool
to hang out in. My favorite memory for
there was the Jolly store next door. Walking in it had that old time grocery
store feel and smell, you couldn't find anything like it in Connecticut. I used to always get ice-cream! Grandpa Don
still has the hardware store but it is long past its prime and is in need of
some tlc.
It always seemed we would start in Deer Trail visiting
Grandpa Don and Linda, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Deanna and occasionally seeing Uncle
David and Aunt Margie. Uncle Jeff and Aunt Deanna always had the coolest dogs and the coolest cars. The one and only time I was ever on a horse was Uncle Davids horse he had dogs to but I was always scared of them. These are memories that will never be replaced. From there we would end up in Pueblo visiting Grandma Louise
and Grandpa John. This was always my favorite part. I have never told anyone
this because I never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings, but truly my favorite. Grandma was the first to introduce me to
Sunday school and I loved it! She was always making something and she always
smelled like Oil of Olay! Now grandpa John, he has always been a character to
me. Two of my most favorite movies of
all times, Charlie and the Chocolate factory and the Never Ending Story are
truly because of Grandpa John’s choices at the video store on summer. He bought me paper dolls and always let us
take over the TV when we visited. He used to take my brother fishing all the
time, I used to play with my paper dolls and hang out with grandma. These memories are my fondest because they
spent time with us. They worked jobs but still made time for us. I love all my
family, but these memories, these memories are what I remember the most. These
are the memories are the reasons I stay in Deer Trail close to Grandma and
Grandpa. Through the past 15 years since
I moved back my kids have developed the same bond with my grandparent s that I had
during those summer months growing up.
As I sat and watched my grandpa yesterday, I cried and
laughed. He is still a character, but I cried because I know he doesn't have
much time left. He talked about Jesus,
and Cowboys and Indians, and how he is going to Jerusalem. I took comfort in knowing he is walking with
Jesus, but my heart hurts, it hurts for my grandma and for my children. Most of all my heart hurts because I will
miss my most favorite grandpa of all.
