Last night I spent two hours with my mom and grandmother. Being at my grandmothers house brought back alot of memories. Her house seems to hold numerous moments of my life not only as a child but as an adult, some good some bad.
When I was born my Mommom and Poppop (as I call them) already had three grandsons. So as the only granddaughter at the time I was doted on. My mom has told me that the day her and my dad brought me home my Poppop came out and said nothing more than " Give me my girl". For the next two years of my life i basically lived with them instead of my parents. They would try and take me home, but I would cry so terribly that my mom would wait until they got home and then call so that they could turn around and come back and get me.
After starting school, I was forced to then live at home during the week. The only time during the week I was allowed to go was when I was home from school sick. I can remember laying on my grand parents couch all curled up with the dog and watching The Munsters, Bewitched, or Tom and Jerry. It wasn't until I became teenager doing teenage things I began to quit staying. Even though I quit staying I spoke to my grandparents just about everyday. Then when my grandfather passed away in 1992 I just couldn't bear to go there at all. Through the years though I have learned to except his passing and go back.
Last night though as I sat in my grandmothers kitchen with both her and my mother, I remember how much joy it brought me to be there. I can still vividly remember the sound of my Poppop snoring, the smell of sausage cooking on Saturday and Sunday morning, fighting with my Aunt who still lived at home at the time, wrestling with my Uncles who were only teenagers then, and the smell of the warm summer night air blowing through the window as I lay in bed. I remember going to the flea market on Sundays with my Poppop and him saying here's five dollars don't ask for any more once its gone and then him giving me more, because I always asked.
While laughing in that kitchen last night, I have realized that one of the greatest joys I have found was their unconditional love for me. Also the fact that my grandmother now shares that unconditional love with my girls. She loves harder and stronger now though, due to the fact that she is having to love all of us for both her and my grandfather. My girls have learned that she will be their shelter from the storm and their rock, just has she always has and will continue to be mine. She keeps me standing strong in my faith even when I am ready to give up.
I know right now in this very moment that not even death has been able to break the bonds between me and them. For when my grandmother hugs me I can still feel that extra pair of arms around me making me feel secure. The love that I have shared with them and the joy of being their granddaughter will stay with me through eternity.