My Nana
Tomorrow is National Grandparent’s Day and I want to honor grandparents everywhere. Do you have a special grandparent you would like to honor? If so send me a quote or a short story about your grandparents. What role did they play in your life? How have they helped you out? What have they taught you? Send me your stories and let others know what a difference grandparents can make!
My Nana….
If you are a regular visitor to NanaHood you know that I called my nana, Grandma Layne. She was my mother’s mom and one of the strongest women I have ever known. Born in 1913 in a tent in a logging community in Washington, she was the middle child of Emory and Gertie Lee. Grandma’s mother died when she was only three years old and my great-grandfather moved back to Kentucky with three little girls. By the time my grandmother was a teenager she had developed a strong sense of family and a tough work ethic that served her well for the rest of her 89 years. She outlived her husband and two of her children (one of which was my mother), and while her life was far from easy, she was one of the most content people I’ve ever known. She loved simple pleasures, like an ice cream sundae from DQ or sitting in my front yard watching the 4th of July fireworks. She never complained, never cursed, never gossiped. She attended church every Sunday and was faithful about doing her Sunday School lesson every week. She didn’t have a lot of material possessions, but if we needed anything at all, all we had to do was ask and she’d find a way to help us.
The Gift of Time
Her main gift to each of her children and grandchildren was time. If you went to visit her she dropped whatever she was doing and you had her full attention. She was never too busy to talk, read a book, listen, rock a baby, or to give her love. I was blessed to have her in my life and she was a powerful example of strength, courage and dignity. I miss you Grandma Layne!
What did your Nana or Poppa give you?
Don’t forget to share your stories and comments to honor your grandparents this week in honor of National Grandparent’s Day (pictures are welcome too!) Stories, quotes and pictures will be posted all week long at www.NanaHood.com
Happy Grandparent’s Day!
My Grandma (which I call Ma) has always had a special purpose in my life. When I would go over to her house she would tuck me in, read me a buck, kiss me goodnight, turn out the lights amd leave. She always left a presence that kept me safe in bed, kept the bad dreams away, made me feel warm and special. My grandma works at the Elementary School. Now that I’m older I can tuck my self, I dont need a bedtime story, and I can turn the light out myself. I know that she is passing the presence over to the little kids that she teaches. Not in the same way or matter, but its there
I have very special memories of both my grandmothers. They were very different women in nature and personality, but in their own ways they always made me feel special.
My Grandma White (mom’s mom) never had one bad word to say about anyone. She gave EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt. She would invite total strangers to church, and she LIVED and breathed “hospitality”, even though many would consider her house to be a rather run down house. She didn’t notice the holes in the floor or the dust on the shelves – or if she DID notice, she didn’t let those kinds of things bother her. I miss her so, so much. (She went to Heaven in 2002).
My Grandma Wasser (dad’s mom) is still alive and kicking at almost 90 years old. She was always the practical grandma, the one who could give good advice, and who would speak her mind – good, bad or indifferent. She was harder to read emotionally at times, but I always knew (still know) that she loved me fiercely. And I need to remember to call her tomorrow!
Thanks Teresa, for this chance to think about my grandmas and what they mean/meant to me!