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December 14, 2002
Look out for them, Leo
I have four friends or acquaintances whose grandfathers have died this month. It's a little disconcerting. I never knew my grandfathers. They were dead before I was born. Though blessed with two very unique and strong-willed grandmothers, I often wondered what it might have been like to go fishing with Grandpa or drink lemonade on the porch listening to stories about the old days. Wilford Brimley always made Grandfathers seem so pleasant and supportive. I missed not having mine. I don't really know much about my dad's Dad. My father never really talks too much about him and any stories I know seem directly related to how my Grandma dealt with him or the kids. I feel much closer in spirit to my mom's Dad, Leo. He was a piano player and an avid card player. Most of the pictures I have seen of him he is smiling. My mom told me a story once about how he would on occasion sneak her out of the house. Just the two of them would go for an afternoon drive and then a tryst with Chocolate Ice Cream at the English Pharmacy. This one-on-one was no small feat for a man who had 8 kids who were all under foot. He would take my mom for Ice cream and upon going back to the house, Leo would tell her that she mustn't tell her brothers or sisters because they would be jealous. Mom, feeling like the princess and understanding that her "favorite child" status would only hurt her siblings' feelings, steadfastly obeyed.
I would have really enjoyed spending childhood afternoons at the piano, just Leo and I, singing and playing jazz tunes. "Missed the Saturday dance..." Or going for Mint Chocolate Chip at the Braum's. I just know I would be his favorite grandchild. I just know it. I kind of like to think he's looking out for me up there or wherever "There" is. Leo, it seems you are getting alot of company these days. Grand old men who may or may not know what "trump" is. I know you'll teach them. So take care of those boys, Grandpa.
For the record, years after my grandfather died and his children had grown to adults with children of their own, my aunts and mother discovered that Leo spirited each of them away at one time or another for a secret ice cream afternoon. It seems they were all his favorite. I love that story.
Posted by mermu at December 14, 2002 01:36 AM
Comments
Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.
Posted by: Anon at February 1, 2004 06:46 AM
The "sneak the child out" story may be embroidered a bit but it's a great story! I had never heard it.
Posted by: Cynthia at December 21, 2002 06:50 AM
Meredith, You write so beautifully. Have you missed your true calling...er, one of your callings? Maybe, you should write a book/novel/epic. It could be fiction based on our family? You could include all those neat stories we're always trying to get Mother to retell.
Posted by: G.A.M. at December 19, 2002 10:28 AM
Actually, he did not sneak me out of the house...we would stop by the Dairy Queen on our way home from whatever and it would be just the two of us. There is not a chance in hell, he would have been able to leave the house with one of us and the others not know.
Posted by: mom(aka rita) at December 18, 2002 09:36 PM
That's funny! It wasn't until Stepan posted his comment that I knew what song you were talking about!
Posted by: Jfer at December 18, 2002 12:57 PM
Hey, it's "MISTER Saturday Dance" to you! Or at least that's what it always sounds like to me...
Posted by: Stepan at December 18, 2002 10:16 AM
Yes, you're right--you'd be his favorite grandchild, and so would I, and so would Jennifer . . .
I'd be up for some ice cream.
Posted by: Elizabeth (cousin) at December 14, 2002 10:17 AM
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