When I was a little girl my grandma’s room was full of wonders.
On her bedside table, then as now, sat a small white lamp and a thick black bible, well-worn even then. How many uncountable times did my grandma sit on the side of that bed, slowly turning brittle pages, seeking comfort, or peace, or giving praise?
My grandma’s dresser was no dainty bit of vanity. Made of heavy wood with drawers down both sides and carved doors in the center, it was strong and beautiful and I swear, those doors called to me. To be allowed to sit before that chest and hold a lap full of silk, the faded ink of love letters, the glitter of glass beads, and all those memories, her memories, in my hands…
My grandpa’s wardrobe was taller, more imposing, less accessible. But when he swung wide the big double doors, even a child could see it was full of dreams. Medals of honor and badges of war – curious jewelry to a child – shared space with carefully rolled papers and a violin. His maps to castles in the air.
On my grandpa’s nightstand, then as now, sat a small white lamp and, nearby, a guitar. How many uncountable times did my grandpa sit on the side of that bed, strumming with nimble fingers, seeking comfort, or peace, or singing praise?
My grandma’s room is much the same, then as now. It’s in a new house and some things have changed. My grandma still sits on the side of that bed. She still has that old black bible. My grandpa sang his last song this year, and now I sit on the side of that bed, finding comfort, seeking peace, and, as I look to those carved double doors full of memories and dreams, I give praise.
January 20th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Brought back memories of my own grandmother. She passed a year ago last Christmas day. Very well written.
January 21st, 2014 at 6:38 am
Oh, that’s hard. The holidays are hard anyway…I feel for you. Thanks for reading.
January 21st, 2014 at 9:53 am
Mine had a large grandfather clock and even it’s chiming had a mystique to it. Her upstairs were a bit haunted or had it’s own aura. One that is indelible in the minds of children. Great blog!!
January 21st, 2014 at 9:55 am
Thank you! It’s so crazy, the things that stick with us, isn’t it?
January 21st, 2014 at 11:43 am
Yes like my other grandmother in Corning, NY. The stairways leading upstairs was very narrow and she had a doll collection in a room where kids were not allowed. I remember the old driveway, neat and circumspect and the boat my grandfather had. His rows of large tomatoes and his adoration of Jimmy Swaggart. LOL.
So yes totally mind-blowing times!!!
January 21st, 2014 at 10:46 am
I loved reading it wonderful blog😃
January 21st, 2014 at 10:57 am
Thank you! 🙂
January 21st, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Beautiful writing.
January 21st, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Thank you! 🙂
January 21st, 2014 at 5:02 pm
I feel like this could have been written about my grandparents. They have been gone almost 20 years now, but it took me back to their house, as a little girl, looking through the “treasures” that they kept.
Thank you for writing this. You are a beautiful writer.
January 21st, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Thank you so much! That’s a great compliment and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
January 21st, 2014 at 6:50 pm
That post was amazing and touching, for someone that has soo much love for my grandma i could relate to that, seeing the collection of memories they gather makes you proud
Thanks for writing that, it is nice to see something different. Nowadays majority of bloggers post about social topics forgetting that family is the most important of all.
January 21st, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Thank you. It started out as just something in my journal, trying to work through my grief I guess, and turned into this. I’m really overwhelmed by the kind words!
January 21st, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Looking forward to more of your posts .. Please follow back
Best regards xx
January 21st, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Done. 😉
January 22nd, 2014 at 8:19 am
wow, lovely post, it brought memories back of how I admired my grandma’s rooms or flat. Memories, are treasures, and are worth more than gold and silver or all money we could earn in our lives.My son died in May 2012, he was only 21, and I keep the memories alive, I have photos of him hanging in all rooms of the house, I have two tatoos in memory of him and I am writing a blog,in honor of him about my life since the day he went to heaven. Feel free to read my story and share my blog I want to give comfort to people who experienced the same trauma and since Reiki helped me through the tough time, i am a Reiki healer myself now and want to give back to all people around the world the lovely and healing energy of Reiki through distance healing. It means the world to me…Thanks for this beautyful words
January 22nd, 2014 at 8:42 am
I’m so sorry to hear about your son. I can’t imagine how hard that must be. Thanks for the kind words.
January 22nd, 2014 at 10:54 am
this great
January 22nd, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Thank you!
January 22nd, 2014 at 11:49 pm
Enjoyed reading this piece the way you enjoyed writing it! Thanks for sharing!
January 23rd, 2014 at 7:26 am
Thank you, and you’re welcome!
January 23rd, 2014 at 7:45 am
🙂
January 23rd, 2014 at 11:42 am
Steph, huge congrats on being freshly pressed!!! Very well deserved post!!!
January 23rd, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Thanks Rachel!
January 23rd, 2014 at 9:01 pm
I just posted about my Grandmother (Nana I call her) too. My Nana continues to inspire me at 101 years of age. Great story. Thanks
January 23rd, 2014 at 9:47 pm
Cool! I don’t know what I’d do without mine. Thanks for reading!
**edited to add: Your Nana sounds like an amazing woman.
January 24th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Awesome piece
January 24th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Thanks so much!
January 24th, 2014 at 4:43 pm
I’m making a call in the morning. A week is too long.
January 24th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
🙂
January 25th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Ahh… So touching… brought back my memories of my grandparents….
ThankU for sharing your memories 🙂
January 25th, 2014 at 4:14 pm
You are so welcome and thank you for the lovely compliment!
January 25th, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Absolutely lovely. Such an inspiring post to bring back memories of our Grandma. Thank you for writing it!
January 26th, 2014 at 1:02 am
Thanks so much!
January 28th, 2014 at 3:47 pm
My granddaughter (14) in Oz has a beautiful relationship with my wife and I and has the same feelings of that drawn, connected love that I felt in your post and others. She has always stated her love for my wife’s perfume and can’t get enough of this fragrance that connects her to Lynn.
Over Skype this week she excitedly announced her purchase of her own bottle so that Lynn can always stay with her in that love connection, although so far away in RSA.
Such is the power of the connecting memory token of love, be it smell, image or sound.
January 29th, 2014 at 10:01 pm
That is so awesome. You made me smile!
February 3rd, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Thank you for reminding me of my special grandmother!
February 3rd, 2014 at 10:09 pm
Thanks for reading, and you’re welcome!
February 7th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
nice article!
February 7th, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Thank you!
February 20th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Such a lovely post xx
February 20th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Thank you!
March 16th, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Reblogged this on michellesotoen.
September 26th, 2014 at 6:27 am
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