Childhood Web Grandma

My grandmas were great ladies!

My Granny is the one in the wheel chair, although this is not how I remember her. My memories of my granny seemed to always be surrounded by water. I remember her laying on her raft in our swimming pool in the backyard for what seemed like forever just tanning. I was amazed someone could change colors like that :)  

Granny also had a boat she would take us out on often. She taught me that it was ok to try hard things, and when you don't succeed, you just keep trying or you find another way. When we would go skiing on the boat, Granny really wanted to water ski with just one ski. She tried and tried to get up starting on one ski, but never could do it. She would start getting up and fall back down, over and over again. Eventually she found another way; she would either start on two skis and have the driver of the boat take her near the cove where she would kick one off and one of the kids on the side would swim after it, or she would start at the edge of the water/sand area where she was already standing and have the boat take off. Once she got up though, she would ski for long time. I loved the different faces she would make as the water splashed up in her face.  She would bring lots of Shasta soda for us to drink and warn us to stay away from her Fresca. My Granny was also great at playing cards and we spent many past times playing card games. She valued the importance of time together as a family and showed us that it doesn't take much to have fun and be together.

My Grandma Helen is the grandma whose name and legacy I carry. She is my mother's mom and an inspiration to me. I didn't have the opportunity to spend much time with her when I was a child, but I heard her many stories. One thing I remember as a child is being told often "your grandma was a great dancer." She spent many years as a ballroom dance instructor and showed that when you do something you love, you will always hold that dear to your heart. She was an inspiration to me to keep dancing and I have followed in her paths as I taught some dance classes together with my mother.

Grandma Helen has another legacy she shares with the family. I heard stories as a young girl about the hard life my grandmother had when she grew up. She was in Germany during World War II and was raised in an orphanage by the nuns from age 4-14. Then she went to work for other people, tending their farms and other housework. She had many trials and a hard life. There are always times that we go through during childhood that we think are difficult, but when I remember the stories of my grandmother, it helps me to persevere and  know that I can get through these times.

My grandmothers left lasting impressions for me to follow. They taught me to value my family and the times I have with them and to stick to my dreams, never taking for granted all that I have been blessed with in my life.