On Easter morning, our entire family attended sunrise service, followed by a wonderful pancake breakfast. Then Jeff scooted off to get to the field, while I stayed at church to attend our regular service. The Sunday school was having an Easter Egg Hunt and we didn't want to miss that. As you can imagine, the girls were getting especially restless. We blocked both ends of the pew with adults and held them captive inbetween us. My billfold was completely emptied and reorganized. Every snack I had packed in the diaper bag was eaten. The church pew was cleaned with the wet wipes in the diaper bag. Behind us was three generations of a family. Grandson, Grandma, and Great Grandma. Great Grandma's hearing isn't the best, but her humor was good, and when my Virginia tried to grab her cane from across the pew, it was obvious how quick her reactions were! I chuckled as I thought "how I hope I'm that spry when I'm 94 years old." My own grandmother would have turned 96 years old this year if my math is correct. Several times at church I've thought how my own grandmother and this particular lady would have probably gotten along.

Well, this sweet, sweet old lady died last night. I'll miss seeing her in church. And, I know her granddaughters and great grandchildren will greatly miss her.

All of this has me recounting memories of my own grandparents. My Grandma Moore and I were especially close and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. She's been gone 8 years this May.

December 1971--thanking Grandma for my favorite Baby TenderLove doll.


Another friend shared with me this week that her mother-in-law's cancer has no cure and they simply are trying to keep her as well as they can for as long as can. I reminded her to take lots of pictures and to think about recording her voice telling favorite stories. Or even writing them down for a lasting memory. Why don't we all do more to record moments in our lives that we can't re-create.

What will my children want to know about their grandparents?

Henry and Grandpa McNutt


Henry did you know that your Grandpa McNutt can fix anything? He has patience that is wonderful. I could tell you the story of Grandpa building the railing on the front step at our house in Northwood when a measurement was off. Mom just told us to stay away and let me work it out! The hours he took a couple of years ago to hang my gallery of black frames up in our upstairs hallway was much appreciated. And, I remember many times him braiding my hair for me as a little girl. Did you know he owned a bike shop for a side adventure? And he volunteered on the fire department for several years. Oh, these are just a few of the many memories I have.

Goldie and Grandma McNutt


Goldie, did you know your Grandma McNutt is a great cook. She learned it from Great Grandma Maurine that you are named after. Although a teacher by training, Grandma has done many things in her career. My personal favorite for "most unlikely job held" is being on the cleaning crew at the Jolly Green Giant pea plant in Blue Earth, MN. I hope Goldie that you get the same creative genes that I was given by both Grandma and Great-Grandma. Grandma and her friend Dee owned a craft store for a while in Belmond. That rag doll with an orange dress that you and Virginia play with is from that store.

Give your grandparent a hug today. And write down a memory for the next generation to cherish.