I never knew my paternal Grandmother, but I was very fortunate to know my maternal grandma a little.
From the time I was 9 years old until around I was 12, when she passed, I used to visit my grandparents farm in rural Alabama for about a week each summer.
I don’t remember very much but do remember hanging out in her kitchen some and watching her cook. As I remember, she was a very good cook and cooked everything from scratch. Those memories are very vague.
I do have one memory that has stood the test of time.
My grandmother was sick with a prolonged illness and her family had placed her hospital bed in the guest room where I stayed when I visited that summer.
It was in rural Alabama in the early 1950s. The days were hot. On some summer nights my grandfather and my grown uncles would sit on the screened in porch and talk as the nighttime cooled the heat of the day. One night, I fell asleep sitting on the porch listening to them.
One of my uncles carried me into the bedroom and I woke up just as he walked into the room. I stirred around in his arms and when my uncle put me on the bed, he started kidding me saying I was awake the whole time.
He was just joking but I got upset. I remember my grandmother sitting on the side of her hospital bed calming me down and telling me my uncle was just joking.
I was a young boy and not interested in such things, but one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t ask my grandmother more about her life.
I would have liked to have heard about her growing up, I always loved hearing Grandma’s stories about her childhood and young adulthood. I would have liked to know what life was like for her growing up in the countryside, during the early 1900s, and as a young woman finding her way in the world.
I wonder now how she met my grandfather, what their life was like.
I wonder how they survived during the Great Depression.
How did she feel about sending her sons off to war during World War II?
All her sons returned but I wonder what went through her mind when one of her sons encountered temporary blindness during ground action.
If I had heard about Grandma’s experiences, it would have not only helped me understand her better as a person, but also might have taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, determination, and the importance of family.
Three years ago, my new grandson-in-law gave me a journal to work on where I could tell him as much as I could remember about my life.
I encourage everyone to take the time to sit down with their grandparents or elders and truly listen to their life stories. You never know what kind of wisdom and inspiration you might uncover.
Plus, it’s a beautiful way to honor and connect with our loved ones.
Shameless Self-Promotion
But, in these busy times, there is another way people can learn about their Grandma.
I put together a journal which may help.
I think this journal and notebook, My Grandma: In Her Own Words, (Amazon affiliate link) is a beautifully designed gift.
It is not a fancy book.
This simple guided journal helps grandmothers record their life story with over 80 questions.
The thought-provoking questions and prompts are organized into chapters based on your grandmother’s life stages to help her record memories, experiences, treasured moments and reflections.
If you are considering a gift for Grandma, I hope you could consider this.
Or if you are a Grandma and want to leave your grandchildren a legacy, you might want to consider this Simple guided journal to gift to one of your grandchildren.
Thank You for Reading
life lessons that can be passed down to your children, grandchildren and cherished by future generations to come.