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United States
United States
Quote:
Be extra gentle to others because everyone is fighting his own battles
Be extra gentle to others because everyone is fighting his own battles
PLAYING AT GRANDMA'S HOUSEPLAYING AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE
I only knew one of my grandparents since the other three died before I was born. So I really only possess specific memories of my maternal grandma Filippa.
As most of my friends will attest, my Italian ancestry certainly revolves around several memory-evoking topics. Anything to do with food is certainly in the top ten of such topics.
But after I was fed, another important question needed to be addressed. How could I play at my grandma’s house? Yes, it’s true that I always had spare clothes stored at grandma’s house. I could easily be dressed and ready for almost any activity. But the only toys I had were back at my own house.
So the day my grandma’s neighbors installed a brand new above ground swimming pool in their yard, I jumped up and down and yelled, “Yippee.” Unfortunately, they never invited me to partake of their liquid fun. While I sadly watched, those kids jump into the pool, played water tag, and laughed almost continuously.
But grandma Filippa felt my pain. She went down to her cellar, grabbed her extremely large two-handle metal pan (originally used for cleaning her canning jars), and carried it out to her own yard. She used the garden hose to fill it with water and then tried to cheer me up by telling me, “Don’t cry. Here’s your own pool.” Grandma then tied one of her scarves around my chest, let me use my underpants as swimming shorts, and stood back while I entered my own “pool.”
Well, the pan didn’t allow any room for even a small child to complete even one swimming stroke. But I was happy just being able to submerge the bottom half of my body in water!
And I was ecstatic when the season changed to winter. At least I didn’t need any special toys to make snowballs or snowmen!
Now grandma Filippa was angry with my Aunt Arlene. Auntie “R” and grandma’s son Angelo lived at the other end of grandma’s block. But when Auntie “R” cleaned their house, my cousins Donna and Michele were told to go outside and play so they would not interfere with the cleaning chores.
But kids are well known for being, well, kids! My cousins and I soon tired of snowball fights, building a snowman, and even making snow angels. So we then created another game. We climbed atop the metal railing surrounding their porch and took turns jumping into the snow-piled front lawn. Yes, that great game lasted for more than an hour. But all the laughter was quickly forgotten when I walked back to grandma’s house, completely snow-covered and damp from our numerous snow plunges.
Grandma was so mad at Auntie “R’s” house cleaning rules. And grandma was really upset with the damp and shivering grandchild that stood meekly before her. But my Aunt was still considered the real villain in the story since we were “only kids doing what kids will do” when no adult is around to supervise them. So grandma Filippa stripped me down, dressed me in dry underwear, and allowed me to sit on her covered kitchen radiator until my teeth stopped hitting each other. Then grandma kissed me and all was brand new again.
When grandma bought a new appliance, my cousins and I possessed a new toy! We opened the bottom of the huge cardboard box that once covered the appliance. We then took turns rounding around the lawn while perched inside the box. Sometimes more than one of us was positioned inside the box. After several revolutions, one child would usually come shooting out one of the opened sides. Perfection could only be attained after many trials. But we didn’t care if all are attempts at rolling always kept us inside the box. Here was another game for another incredible afternoon.
I’m so very happy that we didn’t have computers or Xboxes. We used our imagination and many available objects to have such wonderful, physical games. I wouldn’t trade those memories of childhood play for anything!
Kacz says:
mynana,
I also went back to your profile and was really surprised that you had not filled in any info. Why is that? I assure you, we are a friendly group and you can ask to NOT have your personal email address showing. Then if someone comments on any journal articles you write, a posting will be sent to your email address by the AARP leader and you can then go to the URL they post and you would be able to read (or even write back) postings to your writing.
I have been in several groups such as this and have thus far NOT had any problems. So take a chance. What have you got to lose? And you have lots to gain!!!
I'll check back to see what your decision is.
Peace,
Kacz :@)
Posted: November 6, 2008 10:47AM EST
Kacz says:
Mynana-
I noticed your name has the word nana in it. Perhaps you would like to share a memory of your own grandparents??? In the meantime, thank you for your input on my journal!
Peace,
Kacz
Posted: November 6, 2008 10:41AM EST
mynana121496 says:
What a great memory of your grandparent. I too have very fond memories
Posted: November 6, 2008 8:23AM EST
