DISQUS

beckymccray · 3 months ago

My own grandparents were Mema and Granddad, Nanny and Bud. I went to visit Mema today. She's my last surviving grandparent. She's 90, living in an almost-assisted living place. Know what's in her fridge? Margaritas. :D

sass · 3 months ago

Sounds like Mema still has her priorities straight! 90 is wonderful and I am glad you have the chance to spend time with her.

tigerwoman · 3 months ago

I too had a close relationship with my grandmother who I loving called mema when I was a tot and morphed to Gram later on. We lived with her until I was 8 and I always considered her to be my second mom - Her husband/my grandfather died when I was an infant so although I don't have any memories of him, I always promised I would name my first born son after him and I did. My grandmothers brother & wife & her sister were also like grandparents to me. The only one left is beloved Aunt Ruthie who is now a frail 93.
My dad's parents lived in Brooklyn and we only saw them 1-2 times a year - not very close family or warm people although pleasant just remote. I always thought Brooklyn was a foreign country~! ha
My own mom adored her grandson and thankfully got the chance to be a big part of his life for the first 9 years until she passed away unexpectedly. My dad(s) are both hands off granddads unfortunately and my husbands parents were older and lived across the pond in England, so visits were rare and brief. Still nice memories but like you I regret that my son didn't have the experience of comfort and unconditional love that contact with grandparents on a frequent if not daily basis provides. My great aunt who is 93 and the last of the mohicans in our family has provided that grandmother experience for my son - someone who adores him and kvells in his experiences.

To my beloved grandma, great uncle & great aunt, and my mom who I miss but count my blessings that they were a HUGE part of my life, I send hugs and kisses for Grandparents day. Looking foward to the grandparenting experience in the future!

sass · 3 months ago

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your stories. I never heard the name "Mema" before and yet two comments in a row mentioned it...