It’s almost impossible for me to believe that on this day last year, we were saying goodbye to my Papa. This has truly been the fastest-flying year ever. My kids are going to stay with their grandparents (my parents) for a few days and it brought back memories of staying with my grandparents.
I remember that if it was an impromptu overnight visit and I didn’t have any clothes packed, I would sleep in one of Papa’s white undershirts. I also remember standing by my Grandma’s side of the bed in the middle of the night, silently staring at her, until she woke up. I’m sure that freaked her out a little bit! But she was always happy to see me.
one of my favorite pictures ever, of anybody!
Almost every time I stayed the night with them, I remember Grandma cooking pancakes the next morning. I’d hear the cuckoo clock chiming- that’s what would wake me up- then I’d sleepily saunter into the kitchen. What I wouldn’t give to have her pancakes one more time. (She passed away only 11 weeks after my grandfather.)
The last time I remember staying overnight with them, besides in their final weeks, was in 2006. I was pregnant with our second baby, Allie, and Landon was only about 14 months old. My dad had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Ben was away at a conference and of course my mom was staying with my dad at the hospital. We lived across the street from my parents at the time, and since no one was home at my house or theirs, Landon and I spent two or three nights with them. It was such a special time for me. And yes, Grandma cooked pancakes for me those mornings. 🙂
Papa and Grandma meeting Canaan- he was one month old
My heart hurts missing them. Not only were they amazing grandparents, they were wonderful great-grandparents as well. My grandmother had bi-anuual checkups at MDAnderson so when we moved to Houston, they would come stay with us. We always went to Bass Pro to walk around and talk about high their prices were! Ha! Then we’d eat dinner there. Grandma always brought homemade chocolate chip cookies with her for dessert. My kids talk about them all the time and how much they miss them!
Are/ were you close to your grandparents? If so, what is your favorite memory of them?
About Kelli Hays
