Memories of my Gramma Grell

When asked to write a favorite memory of Gramma Grell I could not think of just one. My family was lucky we lived across the highway from Gramma my entire life. Gramma was included in every day events of all kinds not just holidays and special events. The day of the funeral I realized just how much of my life and who I am today has been influenced by her presence in my life.

One of my favorite memories is one I have quoted to others on many occasions. Gramma was at my house with Aunt Connie and my mom. For some reason the conversation drifted to men and she proclaimed:  "Men are all the same, they just have different faces!'

Gramma hired me to help make potato salad when I was a teen. Many a potato we peeled! She could work with them so HOT! After we finished up we'd have a little lunch. A lunch only Gramma could provide. A summer sausage sandwich on black bread with dill pickles and McNess mustard.

Gramma attended every birthday and always brought a small gift wrapped in tissue paper. I had collected several items from Stanley for my first apartment by the time I moved out. I am very lucky. For birthdays all my Gramma's came. They knew each other and had much in common being cousins of one another. It was great. I continued to invite Gramma to my kids' birthdays. She always came to be with us. Even when it became more difficult to get in and out of the vehicle and my house.

I learned how to make cucumber and onions from Gramma. Her special step was to sprinkle the cucumber slices with salt, let them juice, and then squeeze them out. Then make the water, vinegar, and salt combination and pour it over. 

Many times over the years I would call Gramma on the phone to ask about a certain recipe or technique in the kitchen. She was too funny in her response when I would ask how much of a certain ingredient to use. She didn't measure. Being the inexperienced cook I needed a measurement!

Having such a large family and working full time I don't have much time for baking. Gramma wanted to help. You buy the ingredients she'd say and I'll bake them. Many an ice cream bucket of chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies came to Blue Grass this way. She would also love to make me a pot of soup if I had a ham bone. I could do it, but she wanted to do it. It made her feel useful. And of course it was delicious! She always wanted to hear from Steve how it was so he would call her up and thank her.

Aunt Connie comes most years to help me decorate for the holidays. I would invite Gramma. She'd come to work in the kitchen and make whatever I wanted--meatloaf, casseroles for the freezer, vegetable soup, etc. I had a list and put her to work! In these later years, she'd get a ride with Aunt Connie and just sit and watch us work. But she wanted to be there! The kids would come home from school and she would give them a squeeze and talk to each one. And then Steve would come home and she would visit with him. 

Christmas in Grandma's little house was always fun and crowded. Special food--oyster stew, chili, chips with rotel cheese. And in my younger years a visit from Santa. Lots of cousins, a table or two of SKAT, and lots of giggles or should I say cackles by my aunts. A great place to bring a prospective mate to see how they would fit into the family. Great fun!

I could go on and on. Will others remember my legacy this way?