Memories (Part II)
Memories (Part II)
Grandparents:
On my mom’s side I was able to meet my grandmother and great grandmother before they passed. Unfortunately I don’t have but one memory of them. We went up to Denver sometime around Christmas when I was six I think. It had to be around that time because I remember the cold and snow as well as playing football in it with the older boys and being called John Elway for my arm (they were being nice but it felt good). I recall seeing my grandmother and great grandmother sitting on a couch. They appeared so old to me but I saw all the love they had in their eyes. I remember them being so sweet and kind to me. I believe we were in an apartment and I recall a lot of cigarette smoke and religious pictures and nic-nacs. I wish I could have gotten to know them better and maybe when I was older, but that’s all I can remember of them.
I never knew my grandfathers since they passed either before I was born or before I have memories, I’m really not sure. I know nothing really of my dad’s dad, but I know some of my mom’s. I know that he fought in WWII in the Army and Army National Gaurd. He was part of the island hopping, survived Pearl Harbor, and was around some of the ocean nuke tests as well as being at or near enough to one of two cities nuked to get some radiation poisoning. After all this though he died of either lung or liver cancer from too much drinking and too much smoking. I respect him for his service but overall I don’t really care for the man. He was very abusive physically and mentally to my mother and that will forever tarnish my image of him.
There was one man who wasn’t really my grandpa, I think he was my grandma’s boyfriend or something (mom’s side). I think his name was Mearl or Mert? I do remember him being bald and having freckles or something on his head, and he had teased me about taking the clippers to my head and making me bald like him. I also recall some REALLY good meatballs that he made. He was a very nice man and kind to me.
My grandmother on my dad’s side is still alive and I have gotten to know her, not as well as I wish I could though. Right now she’s in an elderly home and has Altzeimers. She is living in her memories right now of being a child and doesn’t know everyone around her. I wish I could have learned more from her and and enormous amount of wisdom before the disease but I did learn a lot from her before that when I was younger. I remember all the times she would sit and talk with me and try to teach me how to be a better person. I recall the times we would play soccer in the front yard and the times she would teach me to bake. She’s always been such an intelligent, wise, well-spoken, and loving lady. She taught English in school, and I can only imagine how many lives she has touched and influenced. I will also always remember all her strength. She is one of the strongest women I will ever know. Out of my love for her and respect of her strength I even named my Humvee out here in Iraq after her, Aileen, in hopes that it could be even half as strong as her. I love my grandma very much and will always be a better person because of her.
Grandparents:
On my mom’s side I was able to meet my grandmother and great grandmother before they passed. Unfortunately I don’t have but one memory of them. We went up to Denver sometime around Christmas when I was six I think. It had to be around that time because I remember the cold and snow as well as playing football in it with the older boys and being called John Elway for my arm (they were being nice but it felt good). I recall seeing my grandmother and great grandmother sitting on a couch. They appeared so old to me but I saw all the love they had in their eyes. I remember them being so sweet and kind to me. I believe we were in an apartment and I recall a lot of cigarette smoke and religious pictures and nic-nacs. I wish I could have gotten to know them better and maybe when I was older, but that’s all I can remember of them.
I never knew my grandfathers since they passed either before I was born or before I have memories, I’m really not sure. I know nothing really of my dad’s dad, but I know some of my mom’s. I know that he fought in WWII in the Army and Army National Gaurd. He was part of the island hopping, survived Pearl Harbor, and was around some of the ocean nuke tests as well as being at or near enough to one of two cities nuked to get some radiation poisoning. After all this though he died of either lung or liver cancer from too much drinking and too much smoking. I respect him for his service but overall I don’t really care for the man. He was very abusive physically and mentally to my mother and that will forever tarnish my image of him.
There was one man who wasn’t really my grandpa, I think he was my grandma’s boyfriend or something (mom’s side). I think his name was Mearl or Mert? I do remember him being bald and having freckles or something on his head, and he had teased me about taking the clippers to my head and making me bald like him. I also recall some REALLY good meatballs that he made. He was a very nice man and kind to me.
My grandmother on my dad’s side is still alive and I have gotten to know her, not as well as I wish I could though. Right now she’s in an elderly home and has Altzeimers. She is living in her memories right now of being a child and doesn’t know everyone around her. I wish I could have learned more from her and and enormous amount of wisdom before the disease but I did learn a lot from her before that when I was younger. I remember all the times she would sit and talk with me and try to teach me how to be a better person. I recall the times we would play soccer in the front yard and the times she would teach me to bake. She’s always been such an intelligent, wise, well-spoken, and loving lady. She taught English in school, and I can only imagine how many lives she has touched and influenced. I will also always remember all her strength. She is one of the strongest women I will ever know. Out of my love for her and respect of her strength I even named my Humvee out here in Iraq after her, Aileen, in hopes that it could be even half as strong as her. I love my grandma very much and will always be a better person because of her.