1972, in my Grandpa's arms
2006, my daughter, neslted safely in the arms of my Grandpa
Isn't life beautiful? It is so beautiful.
Grandpa's doing better. So much better, they sent him home. I just called Grandma and she said he "ok" but she's pretty sure that "he's on his way out." She thinks he'll "stick around for Christmas" but won't be around long after that.
Have I ever told you that my Grandma is the strongest, most blunt and MOST HILARIOUS Grandma to have ever lived? She doesn't mince words, which can be VERY EMBARASSING when out in the general public with her, but my God, she's funny.
I'll never forget the story she told me of when she went back to Germany to visit her family. She attended a very large church while visiting and decided to get up and speak to the congregation. She told the people of how hard life was when she was young, how hard they had to work for every little bit they had and then, she proceeded to GO OFF on "those young, unappreciative brats."
"When I was a young girl, WE WOULD SCOOP WATER OUT OF THE GUTTERS WHEN WE WERE THIRSTY and you young'ins walk around with your fancy, expensive water bottles, thinking your life is so hard. YOU PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SUFFER."
God, I wish I had been there.
The best stories EVER are from when her and Grandpa worked at "The Camp" with "The Koreans." Oh, how Grandma loved the Koreans.
As funny as it is to me to hear the stories, I can promise you that it was NOT fun for the people who worked there because from what I can gather, my Grandma was slightly verbally abusive. Especially to "the young'ins" because "the young'ins" did NOT KNOW HOW TO STIR THE SOUP, MAN.
Grandma is very religious, very Nazerene. (Is The Nazerine still a religion? Or is my Grandma the Last Naz Standing? I do not know much about The Nazerine faith, but I do remember that dancing is (was?) FORBIDDEN.) She loves to watch Catholic TV, but only to laugh at how misguided those poor Catholics are. (She does not, however, like to watch basketball, because "those basketball players are tatted out, overpaid thugs who sexually assault women and smoke Marijuana.")
I called her right now to ask her if she needs help with Grandpa. "No, I can manage him just fine, I don't need any help."
That's how she is. She'll NEVER admit to needing help. She's strong, probably the toughest woman I've ever known, but I can't help but think at almost 90 years old, she may truly need help but is unable to accept it.
Sigh.
The good news is that Gramps is getting better. Thanks for the well wishes and prayers for him. Now, maybe you can say a little prayer for Grandma Wilma. She's going to need them, taking care of that grumpy old man.
Your Grandma sounds a lot like mine. A real firecracker. I am so glad to hear your Grandpa is doing better. I hope you will be able to spend some time with him over the holidays.