more participants at Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday
Alphabet Wednesday : G
In my memory as a little girl, my grandpa was all around. He had a round bald head, a round face and a round belly. I lived with my grandparents until I had to go to school at 7, my parents prefered a life as a couple and not necessary as parents. I found this all normal and my grandpa, as he was retired had a lot of time for me of course.
He took me in the woods very early mornings where we climbed up the ladders to reach the top of an observation stand and watched the deer. I remember that I was very impressed when I saw a little Bambi for the first time. We also collected mushrooms and I had a little basket to put them in. He teached me the once which were comestible and the once which were only beautiful but could kill people. Unfortunately I have forgotten the latter once, sometimes they could have been useful.
I always remember when he took his little afternoon nap, I loved to watch the flies which would land on his bald head. Then eyes still closed he waved them away. I was fascinated to observe them rubbing their legs and imagined that his head was a skating rink. Once I wanted to help him and had the good idea to take my grandma's fly swatter and smashed it on his head to kill a fly ! Poor man ! But he survived his imaginative granddaughter.
My grandpa liked to craft little things for me, like a flute which he made out of a willow branch and other things I don't remember.
Sometimes he lost his temper and I found this very funny. I remember when we were all in the kitchen and he stand there in the middle with a loaf of bread and a big knife and just wanted to sit down, when my bustling grandma took the chair away he just wanted to sit on. Instead he sat on the floor, and throw knife and bread against the wall. I still can see the scene and it still makes me laugh.
Unfortunately my Grandpa passed away at the young age of 76, just one day before my 14th birthday. But I keep him as one of the most important man I ever met in my life, he did do two good jobs, grandfather and father when I was little.
My grandpa in 1953
PS. about my grandma I wrote last year here
Your post reminded me of my Grandfather he did the same job for me. I never thought I would make him a great Grandfather but I did sadly he died 5 days after my daughter was born in 1985
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice story about your Grandpa! That was funny and fascinating that your parents thought to let you be with him . He looks like a really nice fella . I bet you have more stories to tell about him too hey . I enjoyed this a lot .
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your memories of your Grandfather, especially your use of the fly swatter :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and cute pic!
ReplyDeleteYour grandfather reminds me of mine who also died way too young...
Wonderful memories of growing up with a Grandfather. I was fortunate to have my Grandfather live with us for many years, and have happy memories as well. He actually really liked my brother the best, but that was Okay...they were soul mates! Great photo and story for the Letter G.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story, I think you were very lucky to have such a lovely grandpa. Now you will have to tell us about your grandma.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this post, Gattina! I had a grandfather who treated me as his daughter too. He was a very special person just like yours. Thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteThe story of your grandfather was so dear, and the photo of him resting is just tooooo precious. You felt about your granddaddy as I felt about my Uncle Edwin. I adored him and still have precious photos of the 2 of us together when I was very young. Those shots are little treasures of mine. This is such a special and poignant post.
ReplyDeleteThat was just entirely SWEEEEEET! I don't think you've ever talked about your grandpa before... He sounds like such a lovely man!
ReplyDeleteHe sounds wonderful. He was definitely a builder of great memories.
ReplyDeleteOh he looks like a very nice man! I love his smile! You know I was also raised by my grandparents, but didn't go to them until I was 10 years old. My Papa (from Germany) was a good man.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute to your grandfather!
ReplyDeleteoh her looks and sounds like an absolutely wonderful man. How lucky that you got to share a lot of time with him.
ReplyDeletehe looks like the perfect grandparent.
ReplyDeleteI never had any grandfather (all gone by the time I was even a twinkle)
I loved your memories
Oh Gattina what a lovely and honorable story about your grandfather! I am touched. If only children today could appreciate their elders as you did. Thank you for sharing this touching story.~Ames
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your Opa, he sounds like he did both jobs very, very well! Love this picture!
ReplyDeleteI have the fondest of memories of my grandfathers, both of them, and I treasure them as the most precious things of my childhood.... Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming tribute to your grandfather. His photo captures an easy, fun loving personality.
ReplyDeleteThat was a sweet story about your grandfather. I suppose most grandfathers are very partial to their grand daughters. My grand father built me a lovely tree house when I was small and I really loved him too.
ReplyDeleteGrandpas rock!
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to your grandfather. I can see where you got your sense of humour from.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your grandfather so much that I went back and read about your grandmother, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tributes, both. And you DO look almost exactly like her, by the way.
Lovely.
=)
What a sweet story! My grandfather spoiled me rotten! I still miss him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of joy on your Grandpa's face. He looks like a wonderful man...and a wonderful person to be loved and hugged by.
I can hear in your writing how very much you miss him still.
Thank you for sharing him with us on Alphabe-Thursday. I always think of memories as the best kind of immortality.
A+
Both of my grandfathers lived nearby so I spent more time with them than with my dad when I was young. Both died too young. They still are the 2 most important men who helped shape my life. Thanks for sharing your granpa with us on G day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory and tribute to you grandfather who so willingly filled an important role in your life.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have lovely memories of a dear grandfather - and you've shared them very sweetly. One of my grandfathers had a stroke and was unable to speak - I only remember him in hospital. The other grandfather lived until I was 21 years old. He was not a happy grandfather - he couldn't be bothered with granddaughters as he found girls to be useless and he made that clear. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you to have such lovely memories of your grandfather. He sounds like an honourable man who cared for you very deeply.
ReplyDelete