Life In The Headlights

The first Sunday after Labor Day was officially designated as Grandparents' Day for the first time in 1978.

I have to admit - in 1978 becoming a grandparent was not even on my radar. However, I had grandparents who I cherished greatly.

My paternal grandparents lived many years on a farm near Two Buttes, Colo., prior to moving to Springfield, Colo., where at first they lived two houses down. Eventually, they would purchase the house right next door.

Growing up, I spent many an hour with my grandparents on their farm near Two Buttes. I remember watching a centipede scurry up the kitchen wall and watching a tornado out the kitchen window with my grandmother. Today, I wonder what in the world we were doing just standing there watching a tornado instead of running for cover.

I remember my daddy and my grandpa coming in from the field and my grandma meeting them at the door with a broom. She would sweep off the thick film of dirt that had formed on their clothes from riding on a tractor with no cab. They weren't allowed in the house until most of it was off.

I remember the fresh, cold water from the well which was only a few steps away from the house. And the scary outhouse we had to use when nature called.

I remember the time my grandpa shot a rattlesnake from the door of the house that had curled up and was ready to strike right at my feet. He hit it - first shot. I was shook up, but otherwise unharmed.

I remember my grandmother's home cooking - red hot apples, bread pudding, fresh beans from the garden that I had helped her snap and more. There was always meat, potatoes, vegetables and a yummy dessert. We sat down at the table and ate together.

I remember feather mattresses, wind blowing through the weathered planks of the walls, making home made glue for projects, and a whole lot of love.

After they moved next door we were blessed to hear my grandmother playing either her organ or her piano as the drapes flapped in the breeze of an open window. The songs she played are still some of my favorites: Church in the Wildwood, Amazing Grace, I Come To The Garden Alone. And I remember my grandmother regularly reading from her bible and her beautiful embroidery work.

My grandmother almost always had an apron on and grandpa - it was overalls for him. I remember wearing a pair of his overalls when I was pregnant with my first child - it was the only thing I felt comfortable in.

I remember my grandpa and his pipe. Whenever we had ear aches, he would light up his pipe and blow the smoke in our ear - it really did help.  And every day after dinner we would see him - walking around his yard when they were at the house in town or around the farm when they were there. After his walk - it was time to take a short nap.

The warmth and love I felt when with them is like no other. And it is a feeling I will cherish always. I was blessed to have them as my grandparents.

I didn't know my maternal granddad well - he passed away when I was only 5. My maternal grandmother passed away when I was 13. I do, however, remember my granddad's violin, the candy he gave us and his ornery personality. I remember when my grandmother came to visit I got to watch what I wanted on television, because we both loved western movies.

I remember so many things, but the main thing I remember is the laughter and above all else - the love they showed us all.