Grandmas are Antique Little Girls

When I visited Daniel's family this summer, his aunt was wearing a shirt that said - Grandmas are Antique Little Girls. When I read this, my mind went to my Grandma Bluhm immediately. As we are nearing our wedding day, I have been thinking about my grandparents a LOT. I've been reminiscing about my childhood and family. You see, I had 4 sets of grandparents. My parents were divorced when I was 5 and I can't name many advantages to that situation, but I will say having 8 grandparents could possibly be an advantage. ESPECIALLY when I was blessed with my grandparents. 5 of my grandparents are no longer with us. I thought I would write a few memories of each one as I hold them in my head and heart forever:) My MOST favorite thing about each set of grandparents is the unique places they all lived and I got to visit.

Grandpa Crouse

Estelle's parents lived in Virginia in the COOLEST house ever. There was a river running in front, fresh vegetable garden, antique pianos, a PARLOR (enough said:), a barn, and a big open field that is any child's dream.

My Grandpa Crouse would take us to the barn which was really a wood workshop. He would make us wood hearts and toys. It was so much fun. He would pull us around the land in a wagon behind his trailer. Most mornings, we would eat homemade biscuits and gravy. I also fell in love with FRESH tomatoes. YUMMY!!!

Boppa

We called Tom's dad, Boppa. I think he got this name because my cousin, Beth, couldn't say Grandpop and this came out instead. It was fitting for him.

Boppa was a gruff man. He had this deep voice and would always rough house with us. He ALWAYS grabbed our big toes and would not let go. I remember he read a lot and would sit in the chair in the back of the living room to read. Tom's parents lived on a golf course/country club. SO COOL! He would take us on rides in the golf course and we would get to make reservations and eat in the club. I thought we were so cool because we had to make reservations.

Grandmother

Grandmother is Tom's mom. She was the opposite of my Boppa and it just fit. She was quiet and calm. She would sew and made my sister's banquet dress. She would let me help her make cinnamon toast and we would cut the butter in squares. I thought I was a cook because I would help her. She would always take my sister and I to swim and I loved sitting out on her porch. She would also play dominoes with us and I loved sleeping on the trundle beds in her guest room.

Pa

Pa is my dad's dad. As long as I can remember, Pa used a wheelchair. I loved riding in his wheelchair. I remember going into his room and sitting in his wheelchair to watch The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. I also thought it was super cool because he had a chair in his shower. We played Mexican Dominoes A LOT and I absolutely will never forget his laugh and smile.

Grandma Bluhm

I have to say that not having my Grandma Bluhm at my wedding will be especially hard. My Grandma Bluhm was a character and a half. She told me how it was and what she thought, and I will be honest when I say it wasn't always easy to hear. My favorite memory was at night with my Grandma. When I stayed with her, I almost always slept with her. We would stay up late and talk, giggle, and gossip. I would catch her up on me and we would talk about anything and everything. I'm not sure I have ever met anyone who loved her kids and grandkids so intensely. I think she worried about us too much. I loved visiting them because they lived across the street from an elementary school. They had REAL swings. The kind of swings that you felt like you were flying.