When Lilly was a new baby and Jim was gone every night waiting tables, I would call my Grandma regularly to find out more about her. I asked her questions about her life in Germany as a young girl, her ride across the ocean to the states, her courtship with my Grandpa during WWII, and her marriage that lasted over 60 years. She was still very lucid and told me great stories.
Here are my grandparents in Milwaukee
This is my grandma on her wedding day. She hated those flowers because they hid her beautiful dress and small waist.
This is my grandma on her wedding day. She hated those flowers because they hid her beautiful dress and small waist.
Since my Grandpa died my Grandma has slowly deteriorated and is now living in a nursing home with alzheimer's. I used to be scared to talk to my Grandma for fear that she would not remember me. Now I realize that even though she doesn't remember me, I still remember her. I called her to say "Happy Birthday and I love you." That did my heart good. I also figured out if I say "Hi Grandma" really loud she knows enough not to say 'who are you.'
My Grandma was an avid knitter and loved to bake bread. We are connected through needles and dough - I love that.
My great-grandmother was a wonderful seamstress and supported her family by sewing when they immigrated to the U.S. from Germany. That talent skipped a generation and landed on my mom, who is also an incredible sewer. The knitting skipped my mom and hit me. I love that we're all connected through a craft that transcends the generations.
I think this picture is of my grandma's family 'along the way to the Salt Lake temple' before my grandparents got married. Is that true Russell family?
My Grandma still has some of her spunk left. She said "Yeah you knit, but not like me, you knit the American way." I just thought 'ok grandma, whatever you say.' Then when I got off the phone I remembered a German lady who came into my yarn shop to show us the German way of knitting which was much faster than the American way (according to her). I could hear in her voice over the phone that she also thought the American was inferior. That makes me smile.
Happy Birthday Grandma.
10 comments:
Happy Birthday Grandma!!!!!! Lovely story! That last picture is completely awesome!
And congratulations to us for getting through the F-month! :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOMORROW!!!
What a beautiful tribute, daughter, thank you. The temple trip picture is when the whole family was going to Salt Lake to be sealed together in 1941. (My parents got married in 1945).
I loved this post....especially because I didnt know that about Grandma. I dont have very many memories of her growing up. But I do remember her bringing cracker jacks...thats about it! Thank you for the stories, I am grateful for them! She is a wonderful grandma and I never thought about calling her on the phone but think I will now knowing that you called her and were able to talk to her on the phone!
Yay for you surviving February!
About 7 years ago a was into crocheting and showed Grandma and Grandpa some stuff I had made. Grandma insisted that I need to the learn to knit...but it had to be "the German way". She tried to teach me but at that time her eyes were pretty bad and it was unfortunetly unsuccessful. ANyways...she gave me her knitting basket and a bunch of needles, want some?
Thank you everyone.
Denise - yes!! I would love to have some of her knitting stuff. The German way of knitting seems really hard, I think you would have more luck with the slower American way. :)
This is a very nice tribute.
and...
Happy Birthday to you!
I want to learn to knit super bad! It is something I can do while I sit and watch TV then I won't feel so guilty for doing nothing. ;)
Grandma is one of a kind! I thought of her and Grandpa on their birthdays. I need to mail her a card.
Thanks for sharing your memories!
Happy Birthday, Daughter!! I all of a sudden realized that I must knit the "German way" too - if I ever knitted. I will have to watch you knit and see if I can tell the difference.
I loved reading this!! You are such a wonderful granddaughter.
sweet post! I love the pictures. .I just love our heritage! I am so proud to have German blood in me! I never thought to call grandma either and i also live 1 hour away. I really need to visit her.
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