Yesterday I received the best thing you can get in the mail - a grandma card. My dad's mom died when I was 2 so I never really got to know her and my mom's mom passed away a few years back. But I not only received Birthday cards from my mom's mom but many letters of encouragement while I was on my mission. She was in quite a bit of pain the last few years of her life but was quite an inspiration as she stayed so positive. I remember once I asked when I stayed the night with her if there was anything I could get her. With a twinkle in her eye and a hidden smile she said, "No, you still haven't gotten me the last thing I asked for!" (She had asked for a new back earlier in the day.) She took me for my first bus ride when I was young (she never learned to drive) and always had something cheerful to say. I miss her and all the things grandmas are in your life.
So I am thoroughly elated that both of Todd's grandma's are still around. His maternal grandma is always so excited to see us and gives us great big hugs and kisses. She's deaf but from the expressions on her face I almost always seem to understand what she is saying. Todd's fraternal grandma is sweet and always has a soft, kind word for everyone. I'm so lucky to be included as one of her grandkids because there's nothing like a grandma card to fill your soul with love. I've been included on the grandma card list since the first year Todd and I were married. This year the card included a small note with kind words that made my day. The short quote on the inside of the card rang so true to me that I put it as the quote of the day.
I probably have every grandma card I've ever received in boxes somewhere - I don't think I've even spent many of the crisp bills that have accompanied them and as time goes on I'm sure they'll become even more unspendable.
Growing old doesn't sound fun to me but being the sender of grandma cards makes the idea seem a lot more attractive. I hope you are all so lucky as to have received a grandma card in your life!
7 comments:
I have always thought that as I get older my grandma will eventually stop sending me cards with money in them. They still come and I always enjoy them. I tried to stop cashing the checks until I would get a phone call a month later from my grandmother asking me to please cash it because her checking account won't balance and it makes her worry. I now save the money and spend it taking her to dinner when she visits; don't tell her. Grandmas are great.
I don't have any of my own Grandma's anymore, so I too am grateful for the grandma-in-law! I guess there is an advantage to aging afterall - thanks for pointing it out!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I love getting cards too!
Josh: Don't worry your secret is safe here. Isn't it great to still have grandparents around? That's so cute that you take your grandma to dinner! I'm glad Claudia has a keeper.
Claudia: See above comment - I think you have a keeper. :> And I'm just trying to convince myself that there are advantages to aging. Today one of my friends made the comment that "our only consolation to aging is that everybody does it." ha!
Tristan: Thanks for the birthday wishes. :> I LOVE getting cards too! You must be busy - no blog updates and short comments. ha! Joking, just glad you comment.
You know, Sarah, this makes me think I need to send more cards through the snail mail.
Both of my grandmothers died this last year, so I don't think I'll ever get another one. Sure makes me appreciate and think about all of the previous ones, and helps me to realize how much a card can mean to someone.
Okay...so I'm going to start sending out more cards now.
I was in NYC during all of this so, happy late B-day (sorry)...I was just thinking of you and hope you had a happy day.
Whitni: Glad I've inspired you - Valentine's day is coming up, I'll e-mail you my address. ha!
Corbie: Thanks for the birthday wishes! I had a great day - made even better because of kind friends who wish me well. :>
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