A Tribute to Grandparents Essay
Many people say they have the best grandparents in the world when really they just mean they love them a lot. I, however, am being literal when I state that my grandparents are the best in the world. Now, I’m aware this is a pretty bold statement, but I’m also certain that anyone who knows them would be willing to back me up (except, perhaps, the other grandparents who believe that they, too, are in the running). My grandma and grandpa have been the support not only for our family, but for countless other families, for as long as I can remember. Everything they do is done to help others. Grandma spends hours each week doing various jobs at church. Almost every day, she drives a man, George, wherever he needs to go because he can no longer drive himself. Grandpa also spends hours at church taking care of tasks that most of us would make excuse after excuse to avoid. Even though he’s retired, he still goes to work every day, makes time to take care of their house, and stays heavily involved in the Kiwanis, an organization highly devoted to charity work. Did I mention that neither Grandma nor Grandpa ever complain about the work they do for other people? In fact, they enjoy spending all of their time helping others.
It seems like with all this extra charitable work, they wouldn’t have time for their five grandkids. Not true. Sometimes I think they must have superhuman powers because no matter how involved they are, they always have time for their family. Before we could drive, Grandma and Grandpa toted us around almost every day so that our parents could stay at work. For the past 20 years, they have rarely missed a baseball or soccer game, a piano recital, a birthday party, a choir performance, or an awards assembly. Their basement is full of dress-up clothes and toys, their TV stand of videotapes recounting the highlights of our lives. There isn’t a single room in their house that doesn’t have at least one picture of us and if you asked them to make a list of all the things they’ve done for their grandkids, they would have to write an encyclopedia. Yes, I think it’s safe for me to say that my grandparents really are the best in the world. They’ve placed their family, their friends, even people they don’t know, before themselves in every situation and I am truly thankful that God has blessed me with two people such as them to be an example in my life of what it means to love others and to have the heart of a servant.
Kyndal Marshall, age 20
My grandparents have taught me so much. They have taught me how to cook, build a bird house and fish, and stand up for others. I think that all of the stuff they’ve taught me is the best. The best times I’ve shared with them are eating dinner with them and watching the sunset. My other best moments were mowing the yard with them. When I was sick, they cared for me. They made me feel loved by coming to my school plays. They get me all these presents. They call me when I’m at home to make sure I’m all right. That’s why they make me feel loved. The reason why they’re my heroes is because they’re always there for me. If I’m ever in trouble or need help, they’re there for me. That’s why they are my heroes.
Cody Adams, age 10 1/2
The Greatest Place on Earth
In the summer we go swimming
And in the winter we go skating.
You never can get bored at the greatest place on earth.
There are horses we can ride
And a donkey with a cart.
Three dogs that we can play with
And a cat that we can pet
Two birds that we can brag on
And look at better yet.
Ducks and geese that we can feed
And chickens with their eggs.
There’s sparrows Tim can shoot
And Deer Stands where we can hunt.
There’s hay that we can bale
And Grass that we can cut.
A driveway we can drive on
And a six-wheeler we can drive.
There is a lake where we go fishing
And a creek to play in mud.
Food that Grandma makes
And work that Grandpa gives.
It’s the best place on earth because it’s where
Grandma and Grandpa live.
Rebecca Willis, age 12
Pap
Pap is a nice guy. If you say, “Who wants to play cards?”, he’ll say, “I do!” He likes to play Crazy 8s, Poker and Go Fish. I like going skiing with Pap, because he taught me how to do it. I’m better than I was last year. And last year, when we went skiing, my dad had to go to a meeting and Pap took care of me. Pap will always be my grandfather. Always. And he’ll be a great grandfather to my children some day. Pap’s my hero because he helps me. He’s easy to love!
Veronica Fritz, age 7
Most people think their grandpa is cool; mine is extra cool. He’s the hardest-working person I have ever seen, but he is also very fun to be around. He’s smart, and I have learned a lot from him.
I admire his patience. For instance, one time I was mowing and I accidentally tore up his new fence. So I told him about it, and when he looked at it, he just chuckled and said, “You did a good job this time.”
Did I tell you he is a good hunter? He shot a lot of deer last year.
Well, that’s my grandpa for you, isn’t he the best?
Timothy Wills, age 10
My Grandma
My Grandma is a very wonderful woman. She is very hard-working. She cooks big meals for us all the time, and she never lets anyone do it for her. She loves the Lord and acts like it in whatever she does. Also, she does stuff with us, like riding horses, swimming, fishing, hiking and you name it. She never lets us get bored or hungry, she always has something good to eat. Everyone knows Grandma’s house is the place to go.
I’m so glad God gave me the grandma He did.
Rebecca Willis, age 12
My Grandmother
My grandmother was and still is my hero. Her name was Ruth Lightbody. We (all her grandchildren) lovingly called her Nanny.
I am one of Nanny’s five grandchildren. She loved us all so much that we always felt like we were her children instead of her grandchildren.
Nanny had the ability to make any unpleasant situation good. For example, she was a staunch supporter of her grandchildren and would go to school to “talk” to teachers who were being unreasonable about something or anything concerning her grandchildren. She took on our brood to raise after my father was critically injured in a car accident. My mother had to go back to school to finish her degree so nanny moved into our house and became EVERYTHING to everyone, including the cat and the dog. My grandmother could do everything. She could diagnose a sick cat, discuss world events and give me advice on my latest boyfriend. But her most endearing quality was being herself—lighthearted, funny, kind, and providing the love and stability we all needed.
Nanny is the reason I became a geriatric care manager and she’s the reason to this day, that our family is a close-knit unit. She died 14 years ago, but we still love and remember her everyday.
Ann Reeves
Papa Fred
One of my favorite memories with my Grandpa was when he took me to an Amish auction several months ago.
We drove out to “Amish Country” in his big gray pickup. Stepping onto the land where the auction was taking place was like stepping into a different world. As we walked, looked, and grandpa talked, kids ran about barefoot. Little girls in their Sunday best stared at me, the girl in blue jeans, a t-shirt, and my hair tied at the back of my neck. I’d smile at them, hoping they’d stop staring at me, but they would stare even more at my braces!
Grandpa bought me a homemade doughnut and we had lunch. The doughnut melted in my mouth and the food was incredible! As I sat and sipped my soda, I looked around. Kids sat atop big draft horses so they could see over the crowd.
We looked around one more time before leaving. We left without anything in our trailer, but I left with a full stomach and an incredible memory with my grandpa.
Jennifer Willis, age 14
A TRIBUTE TO OUR GRANDMOTHER
Our Grandmother, Mildred G. Washington, is truly a ‘Phenomenal Woman.’ According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of phenomenal is an Unusual or Exceptional person—our grandmother is truly that and more.
She married her high school sweetheart, George Washington, and with that union were three beautiful children—Brenda, Lois and Derrick—seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Our grandmother is a devoted mother and grandmother. She spreads her love daily among her grandchildren in many ways: She is our ‘Rock,’ our confidant, our consoler, our strength and our spiritual advisor.
We lost our mother (Lois Washington-Brown) unexpectedly several years ago. My grandmother ceased being a grandmother and took on the role of ‘Mother’ for my brother and me (Alphonso). We both were very young at the time. In our daily walks, she is the wind beneath our wings. We call her everyday, long distance, to check on her, to share our daily trials and tribulations, and to ask for guidance and assurance. She truly is the food for our soul. We love her very much.
Crystal Brown-Butler
My Grandma
Some people have memories of their moms or dads, but I have memories of my grandma. We do lots of cool stuff together. Some people don’t know I am a kid who lost her grandparents on her dad’s side because they died when I was a baby. My favorite grandma is my grandma Ann Carlson. I love my one and only grandma. She taught me how to make pizza, how to sew, and took me to Disneyland. When I was 5, my grandma taught me how to make pizza with cheese. I even helped make the crust. My grandma said that it was one of the best pizzas she has every eaten. I was 6 when my grandma taught me how to sew. I made cute little finger puppets. They were fun to make and play with.
The best thing that I have ever done with my grandma is when she took me to Disneyland in California. It is where dreams come true. When the kids in my family get into kindergarten, my grandma takes them. When I went it was like a great dream. I had Minnie waffles and Minnie Mouse even fed me at the character breakfast. Then we went to Toon Town where grandma took a lot of cool and funny pictures of me.
Next was SeaWorld. I got to see a weasel jump down the toilet in the otter and weasel show. I got to go under a tank of man-eating sharks. I was so afraid that I was basically hanging on to my grandma’s leg.
After that, we went to Long Beach, California. That is where my grandma grew up and I got to see where she lived and went to school. I got my picture taken with the Queen Mary. We got to eat fish and chips on a pier. When I ate my food, I kept feeding the seagulls French fries. May grandma said thank God that bird didn’t bite your fingers off.
Well, that is my story and I am glad that I have the greatest grandma in the whole wide world.
Kelsey Bullard, age 11
A Tribute to Grandparents: “Growing Up With Grandparents”
As I am past 80 years old, many children my age didn’t have both sets of grandparents living. I was blessed to have both sides and one great-grandparent on both sides. My grandparents, Elders and Burnetts, were about as opposite as you could get except both were farmers with mostly wagons and buggies for transportation. I often wondered what my life would turn out.
The Elders were married young. Grandma was 14 and had been sewing for her 11 younger sisters and one brother. They never went to the store to buy clothes. Her mother died when she was three. The Elders had 7 for her to sew for them. Grandpa was always very helpful with the daily chores, even the kitchen.
Grandma Burnett would not let Grandpa near her kitchen. She raised the garden and cooked every day—big meals—pies were always part of her chores. The Burnetts had 4—one boy, my mother and the twins. Grandma was past 40 when the twins came along. Grandma Burnett never went to the beauty parlor in her whole life. Her hair was long with a bun and she curled the short hair front of her ear with a curling iron she heated in the kerosene lamp.
When Grandma Elder got older, she went to the beauty parlor every week and kept her beautiful white hair curler.
As I was growing up, I could hardly wait to go visit my grandparents. We lived with both sides several years as I was the only child and the depression and drought caused my folds to move several times. I had no toys, but I had baby animals and chickens and grandparents to play with. I remember crying to go see them.
The Elders moved to Montana and we lived with them, then came back to Missouri and lived with the Burnetts. We also lived at Carrollton, MO, awhile (about 3 years), as the soil grew better crops. I had neither side of grandparents in Carrollton, and it was miserable for me.
We always went to church if it wasn’t too muddy, and in winter we put hot irons in the wagon or buggy to keep warm. Most of the roads were dirt and they started putting gravel when I was in high school. Most of the education for my grandparents was 8th grade. I thought they were very brilliant!
After the gravel roads, a few people had cars. Grandpa Burnett bought a new car and took the family to Paris, MO. I was not born yet, but the whole family was going to visit an aunt and uncle. Grandpa lost control going down a hill and didn’t know how to put on the brakes—the car turned over, no one was hurt, but a farmer cam by and helped them out of the car. He took one baby (twin) and put it on the grass. They handed him the other twin—he said, “I got this baby out once.” They told that story over and over. Grandma never drove again, and my Mother taught my Dad how to drive. A car was a luxury then and very few people had cars.
Even though both families went to church, they went to different little churches in the neighborhood. It was so much fun just to have grandparents. After Grandma Burnett couldn’t hear the preacher anymore, she stayed home and fixed dinner. Grandpa would bring the neighbors home for Sunday dinner, besides their family.
My Grandmother Elder let me help make biscuits for breakfast every morning. She had a little biscuit cutter just for me. Grandpa Elder always made me wash my face and hands before I ate. He was very strict. Grandpa Burnett let me do whatever was all right with Grandma.
To me, living with grandparents was part of growing up. Working was what everyone did—no TV, no movies, no malls, hardly even a café. No computers—loving God and family was priceless!
I have 5 beautiful grandchildren of my own.
Claudine Elder Westfall
Chicken Feathers
We all have our memories of our childhood. A favorite vacation or carnivals and caramel apples. My favorite memories are what I like to call my grandparents work release program. My brother and I would spend our summers with our grandparents doing chores, visiting with relative and going to church. My grandparents live in Sweetwater, Alabama. There were no malls and what I would classify nothing to do. My grandfather did a garden so big that people I the community would share in his success. He grew the best watermelons, both yellow and red, that I have ever tasted. My grandmother fed chickens, did housework and loved to talk about Jesus. Dinner time was really great. My grandparents would get into the kitchen together and cook. They were the greatest team. He would make the greatest meats that no restaurant could match. She made the best blackberry dumplings I have ever tasted. I remember when she showed me how to make them. She even let me roll them out with her old glass rolling pin. It made me feel so special that she wanted my help. They would travel to the grocery store once a month. I remember on time we went and I kept telling my grandma about this great gum. She bought me some and I instantly wanted to share it. I didn’t realize that she had dentures. My hubba bubba was stuck all over the place. That’s when I found out why grandma uses Freedent.
I have to say above all is a memory so strong that I can still smell it. My grandmother informed me one morning that we would be butchering chickens today. I was horrified, but coming from a family that butchers cows, I understood. I thought, well, I’ll watch from the porch. My grandmother told me after my grandfather killed one that she would hand it to my brother and me to take the feathers off. When the chickens quite moving around—well, like a chicken with its head cut off—my grandmother would clean it out and plunge it into the water. The smell from the feathers was so bad. It makes wet dog smell like fresh apple pie. When we were all finished, she froze them for a later use. It gave me a great story to tell my friends, but above all else, gave me a work ethic I can be proud of. My grandfather died last year and my grandmother is still alive. She doesn’t have a great memory anymore, and she just isn’t the same since she lost my grandfather. Every time I go into the house, all my memories come blooding back and I smell those chicken feathers and just smile.
Erika Bullard, age 37
Papa Taylor’s Clothes
My Papa kept his tee shirts
In the bottom dresser drawer.
Every time we visited,
My sister Katy and I
would kneel on the floor
and search through the shirts
for our favorites to sleep in, mine
yellow and falling like sunlight
below my knees.
Now, when we visit Grandma,
we still wear Papa’s clothes
for sledding on Christmas Day,
midnight walks in the woods, trips
to frozen creeks and four-wheeling
off the gravel and into trees.
The cousins layer his flannel shirts
and zip-up orange and blue hoodies, slip
our fingers into his gloves, pull
camouflaged coveralls over
our winter clothes. The fabric
swallows us whole,
makes us small like kids
again,
when four of the cousins could sit
on Papa’s back, him on hands and knees.
Grandkids stacked on the same back
we later saw in pictures’
from the Marines, the muscles
rippling beneath his skin
like the Mississippi River, the summers
we spent on the water. Papa,
our captain, guiding us to
glide through the sticky
Missouri air and over waves
on an open river, pulling the grandkids
on an inflatable yellow torpedo,
soft and worn
like cotton.
Karmen Bennett
Grandparent and Me Writing Contest
“Faster, faster!” my sister Katy and my cousin Doug and I yelled from the big rubber raft behind the boat. “Papa, go faster!” Papa steered the boat in a sharp turn to the left, flinging us out over the wake in an attempt to make us “crash and burn.” We took our hands off the torpedo and stuck out our tongues. “Look, no hands,” we taunted Papa, our captain.
The rest of the family had headed back inside long before the sun began to set and the breeze turned cool, but Katy and Doug and I weren’t ready to leave behind the freedom of the open water. Life on the Mississippi River fueled our summers, and we stretched the days into the nights like arms reaching into the muddy water, always searching and grasping for more. During the summers, Papa drove the boat and steered our lives into the wonders of the natural world.. As when he was farming, Papa never dominated the land, but was a part of it. The sun and the soil and the sky lived inside his skin.
When my grandfather made his transition, I was on a boat, in the middle of the ocean. Stranded, on a cruise, I got a phone call from my father on the morning of my birthday, telling me that he had been trying to reach me for a couple days and that the cancer that Pap had been battling had finally won. Despite the attempts of the cruise personnel, and the airline staff, and the family I was vacationing with, I was unable to get on a flight that would put me back home in time for my grandpa’s funeral.
When I arrived to my grandparents’ house, after the funeral, my cousins and the rest of the family had an air of closure about them, while I was just beginning to deal with the loss. I stayed up late that night and wrote in my journal, angry at my grandfather and angry at God for not allowing me to be present at the funeral, and for not allowing me to say goodbye.
Almost exactly a year later, I met someone who took me on a midnight drive down the Missouri River. The smell of the mud in the water brought memories of my grandfather and my childhood rushing toward me like the current. For the first time, I felt Papa’s presence again, and I began the journey toward understanding that he continues to teach and guide me, even though he is not physically here.
Papa didn’t want me to say goodbye, because as he taught me every day of his life, there are no goodbyes. We are all connected, like the river bleeds in to the sky. Papa’s energy and presence continue to rush through me and guide me, strong and steady like the current. Out on the open water, I breathe in the freedom and joy that my grandfather taught me exists, and that he opened up inside of me.
Karmen Bennett
When Me and My Papa Built a Raft
“Let’s build a raft,” I said to my grandpa. I call him Papa and it is fun to build stuff with him. Let me tell you about it.
It was Thanksgiving Break and I wanted to build a raft that floats. So my Papa said, “OK, so let’s go find something to build it with. I think I have something to build it with.” “What?” I said. “How about a floating raft?” he said. So Papa and I went and looked for the raft. It was in the garage which has a lot of this and that. The raft turned out to be 2 tubes. After we found the tubes, we looked for something to put on top of the tubes. Finally we found an old sled. My grandpa said, “Let’s use this sled.” “Sure,” I said. “Do you have a rope to tie it on?” I asked. “Yes,” he said. So we tied the rope onto the sled and inner tubes. “I think we need some poles to secure it in place,” he said. “I think I have some in here.” So we looked around some more and found the poles.
Let me tell you about the raft. On the bottom it had inner tubes. The inner tubes were attached to poles with rope. On the top of that was the battered plastic sled. It was kind of cool looking and I was glad to make it with my Papa.
“I think it is ready,” I said. “Let’s go down to the creek to launch it,” I said. I couldn’t wait to see if it would work! “Are you sure that you want to launch it?” he said. “Yes,” I said. So while we were going down to the creek, I said, “Do you think it will float?” “Yes,” he said. By that time we were almost there. “OK,” my Papa said. “Let’s launch the raft.” So Papa and I launched the raft. “It works!” I yelled.
After we tried it we thought it was time to go home to my Papa’s house. So that is the story of when me and Papa built a raft. Now, looking back, I want to do it again, because I enjoy spend time with my Papa. That’s a good thing about grandparents…I mean, grandparents like spending time doing special things with you.
Noah Frick-Alofs, age 9
Why My Grandmother Makes the World a Little Brighter
There is a certain person who is always there, and puts a smile on almost everyone’s face. This person is a girl’s best friend. Rays of light shine from the lovely face of only one person, your grandmother. My grandmother is definitely a special one. My special grandmother’s name is Susan Rose of Centralia, MO. This wonderful lady, at the peak of her short life-span, happens to be 58 years old and smiling pretty. Though there have been tragic times in my eleven years of age, Susan has stood by me until I have reached the great young lady I am today. My mother and all of my grandmother’s girlfriends turn to my grandmother for advice. Though sometimes she believes it is advice she needs herself, never a one person is turned down. Also, my wonderful grandma is very active in her life of service. This includes donating to charity foundations such as Good Will and Salvation Army. In addition, she is an assistant to the active secretary of the First Christian Church or Centralia, MO. If the great Lord himself would be generous enough to hand over to me the title of this wonderful experience, I would do nothing but to pay every sent to the great woman I am writing about this very moment. BELIEVE ME, SUSAN ROSE DEFINITELY DESERVES IT. Thank you.
Chelsea Wheeler, age 11
 |
|