grandparents

Becoming a grandparent makes getting older something to look forward to - all the fun of parenting, without the hassle.

Aprons are my Happy Place
It began with a couple of aprons I'd just completed, I took a photo to ask my daughter which one she wanted. I have loved sewing since I learned from my Grandma Gandy; she was my favorite person while she was alive. I started sewing doll clothes by hand when I was about 10 years old. My Mom encouraged me to experiment and trusted me to use her "GOOD" scissors. You know the ones, the beautiful, heavy, steel scissors that were to be used only, ONLY for fabric and thread. My designs were simple and hand stitched; I loved the process and the freedom of creating something unique and completely mine.
By Karen Tompkins5 years ago in Families
Growing Up with Grandma
There’s a Facebook site dedicated to the town where I grew up. Recently someone posted this: Does anyone else remember the husband and wife cab company that operated out of their house on West Avenue? He drove a spotless black Buick and every time he dropped off a fare he'd drive back home and pull into the driveway. Instead of investing in a radio his wife would come out on the porch and shout the next address to him. I always found that humorous and a little endearing.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)5 years ago in Families
Good things come in small packages
“Good things come in small packages”…. five words that warmed the crying heart of an 8 year old. These words have stuck with me forever. Spoken out of a mouth that was soft like butter but a personality strong as the wind.
By The designer hippy 5 years ago in Families
Carried on Her Shoulders
My grandmother has 9 children, 36 grandchildren and great grandchildren, and 2 more on the way. That’s 47 offspring and counting! Even once she’s gone, that number will continue to grow exponentially. When I was a child I was in awe of her. Even then I saw her as a creator. I imagine she’s the most immortal person I know. There was an energy in her in those days that brought the rest of us to life. She was always singing and she had a song for absolutely everything. There was something so maternal and comforting about her voice. With so many mouths to feed, my grandfather was always away at one job or another. He would come home exhausted and park on the recliner. I guess that’s why I always saw my grandmother as the matriarch. I saw her preparing well-budgeted meals for hordes of hungry grandkids. I saw her wielding a screwdriver and changing lightbulbs. She had the knowledge to do home repairs by herself. She never waited for her husband to come home to take care of something. When he did come home, I saw her make him a sandwich and plate of chips and bring it to him on the recliner. I remember the sound of his voice calling, “Laura, another popsicle!” She took care of all of us, including him.
By Jessica D.5 years ago in Families
A Mother's Day Goodbye
On May 10th, 2021, just after midnight following Mother's Day, a "BOSS MOM," grandma, great-grandma, sister and friend to many left this earth.
By Camille Turner-Bragdon5 years ago in Families
Passing the Gift On
First and foremost I am a very creative person! Oh my where to begin?!?! Creating is my passion! Creating is my happiness! I will make-shift anything I need to for decorating my house. I wish I had a whole room just for all my crafty things! Where to begin? I think I will start off from where it all started!
By Kristina Steffy5 years ago in Families
Quilting With Love
I had the benefit of growing up with both of my grandmothers and one of my great grandmothers at a time before the Internet. As a child of the 80s, I learned from them how to cook, bake, knit, crochet, and quilt.
By TESB5 years ago in Families
Made with Love
“Click- clack, clickety-clack.” Goes the metal knitting needles clicking away. The scraping of metal and the creaking of a wooden rocking chair were the sounds of home. The sounds of safety. The sounds of peace. I learned this lullaby first with my grandmother, lying beside her, until I too learned this instrument.
By Kiana5 years ago in Families
A Real Life Feminist Hero.
Ninny Clarke age 18. I don't have five children or a dead bigamist husband. I have never experienced my deceased husband's other family, bereft and betrayed and fuelled by scorn, coming into my home to claim it as theirs. Never have I had to fight for survival in a world of severe patriarchal and pious judgement where social security was a ration book and feminism a blasphemous enterprise.
By Caroline Jane5 years ago in Families
Grandma Forever
Grandparents are always special whether we are thirty years old or just three. They entertain us with their tales full of wisdom (or sometimes inappropriate humor), fancy cartoon stories, become the elephant for our kiddish elephant rides (provided we’re not too heavy), take us to fantastic places our parents won’t allow us to go to, tolerate our tantrums and best of all they stand with us when our parents scold us.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Families
My Gramma's Scissors
Hi My Name, is Jen and I was blessed to have a Grandma who could create almost anything. She was an Antique dealer and had a great respect for things in a way that taught me to do the same. Her creativity and talents were many, from making me cloths, treats, Big Quilted Blankets to Chocolate covered pretzels (my fav). She was also an incredible letter writer an art all its own. She was a true gift to those around her.
By Jen Goodwin5 years ago in Families
MOMMOM FOREVER
During times like these, it’s important to keep an eye out for the most vulnerable among us, and in the case of the coronavirus pandemic, that means older adults who are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in Families