[graciegirl]

My grandmother was way ahead of her times, drove a car far before many women drove. She was witty and disarming, a hard worker, thrifty, innovative, adored her family and was the community midwife. She liked a beer, was a terrific cook and was the sweetest person in the world.

She raised a garden, canned the vegetables, particularly green beans, tomatoes and pickles. Churned butter, made cottage cheese, sewed my clothes . Made her own laundry soap. Made the most delicious yellow two layer cake with white icing without measuring and made biscuits every morning for breakfast.

She was both my grandmother and my mother too. My own mother died of complications of childbirth after my birth. My grandmother always said it wouldn't have happened if she had not gone to a hospital and allowed my grandmother to assist at the birth at home.

[nONIE]

GG,

Like so many other baby boomers I lost all my grandpaents before I was old enough to even know them. You were so fortunate to know your grandparents , I always wished I had known mine, they have so much to teach us that parents sometimes dont have the time or patients to.

[rshoffer]

My maternal grandparents were poor Pa Dutch people. My mat grandmother was a homemaker in their little, tiny row home on a side alley. My mat grandfather worked 47 years in a 4 by 4 ft space in a textile company doing the same thing decade after decade. They never owned a car, never had a checking acct, paid everything in cash... his highlight in life was walking his little terrier sparkey. They struggled their entire lives, he drank too much and both seemed perpetually unhappy. They always doted on me and my sister and I loved taking walks with my "pop-pop". As I got older I realized how poor they were and how much they missed out on in life. When Lennon & McCartney talked about "all the lonely people" in Eleanor Rigby, I always thought of them.

[swrinfla]

I have always regretted that I never knew three of my four grandparents, and didn't really like the one I did know. She was my Dad's mother, well into her 60s when I first met her, when she visited us on Cape Cod. She was rude and unfeeling, I thought (I was about 10 years old). And, her chauffeur backed over and destroyed my almost brand new tricycle

She also stiffed the staff at the residential hotel where she lived - I remember being absolutely aghast that she didn't leave even a nickel for a tip once because she thought the waiter (who was, unfortunately, "a person of color") didn't deserve anything! I never liked going out in public with her!

So sad!

SWR

[colleenj]

I didn't know my grandfathers (they died long before I was born) but my maternal grandmother was my favorite. She didn't have an easy life- she had to leave school after 8th grade (both her parents died and she had to go to work). She married young, had 5 children that survived and her husband died young, leaving her with the 5 children. Her relatives suggested she split the children up and let relatives take them. She was not about to "farm her kids out" and she worked 2-3 jobs to keep the family together- back then there was not welfare and she would have worked 4 jobs before she ever "went to the town" to ask for help.
She was kind, no matter how little she had she always would be willing to give a meal to someone with less. The kids never felt deprived as there was a lot of love in the household (and no one had any money back then anyway).
I was the youngest grandchild and she always made me feel special (although I think it was her way- she made each grandchild feel special). She set the example of smiling in the face of adversity, working hard, giving to others, and that food fed the soul and the stomach. I have very fond memories and even though she has been gone 20+ years, I still miss her!

[Donna]

My grandparents were a blessing from God!..My brother Mark and I grew up with them in Brooklyn, we lived in a two family house. I could remember calling upstairs to her every night to find out what she was cooking for grandpa..My mother used to get so mad at me..Her favorite words were "leave your grandmother alone."

They both came from Italy at a very early age. My grandfather was an upholsterer, my grandmother cared for her 4 brothers, as her mom was very ill..

My grandfather was a pip, he spoke broken English and we used to laugh at his language all the time..I was a little devil, and teased him every day..I loved him dearly though..He taught me how to plant all the vegetables I loved so much..I had a rabbit when I was young and grandpa fed him every night, he would take the left overs outside..That rabbit ate macaroni, eggplant, zucchini, he was the best fed rabbit in Brooklyn!

I lost my grandfather when I was 16, a day I will never forget!..I will always Cherish the beautiful memories I have of him!

My dear Grandmother, she taught me all I know about Italian cooking, and love of family....The holidays were always so special, with all the Italian goodies...We ate, and ate, and ate again, all day long! Any time a friend of mine came to visit, she had to set the table and make them eat! They all loved her dearly..

She would stay with us on weekends after we moved to Staten Island, and she would always bring 12 loaves of fresh Italian Bread from Brooklyn, and all the homemade specialties, that I loved so much!

She always told me to copy her recipes because one day she wouldn't be here, thankfully I did.
The holidays will never be the same for me with out seeing grandma at the stove, cooking day and night.
I have lots of precious memories, and tons of great recipes to last a lifetime..

I love you grandma & grandpa where ever you are!

[Mikitv]

If any one remembers Marjorie Main the Hollywood actress that played Ma Kettle then you will know what I mean when I say that was a lot like my maternal grandmother. She was always Grandma Ma or Ma. She was a Mc Leod who's family was from the Isle of Skye. I swear she would deal the dinner plates out on the table just like Ma Kettle.

She had a hard life but never complained and worked with her husband doing what ever they could for money during the depression. At that time they had 11 children so money was scarce. I never saw her down or sad. She did make us all get up to go to church on Sunday, the only time she wore a dress with her stockings rolled up and twisted at the knees. How she ever kept them up I will never know. She wore pants the rest of the time because we were picking, or she was cutting lawns for the summer homes, or opening and closing their homes for the year.

I spent 10 of my summers with her and they were fantastic. I went to the beach almost every day, if we weren't out picking something that she would can, freeze, or sell to the summer folks. She loved all her grandkids and would even climb cherry trees with us. She played baseball at family picnics and could do just about anything.

Even though she worked all the time she cooked homemade meals everyday. You would get up for a breakfast, of steak, potatoes, eggs, oatmeal. Home made soups, biscuits, and her pies. Also I remember making home canned bread and butter pickles. I got to keep my 14 quarts I made one summer with her.

Almost all of my aunts and uncles lived within a five mile radius of her and she was the true matriarch of the family. She knew everyone in the area and was always picking up hitch hikers (this was the 50"s) and always seemed to know someone in their families.

I could go on because she was so important to me in my younger years and I do miss her.

[diskman]

I was named after grandpa her husband died just before I was born. She was very old fashioned from the old country, as they called it back then.
Never remarried or even dated another man. She said no one could or would replace him.
There were 3 grandson's and I was closest with her. I can still hear her telling me stories from her youth! I can still see her walking me to Ritchies candy store on Coney Island Avenue for a malt & Lorna Dunes. She led a very simple life & actually lived with us. I being the youngest loved to spend time with her.

I was 15 when she passed away. It was the first time I knew of death and it helped me learn the reality of life.

48 years later I still shed a tear for her from time to time. My grandma Anna was the greatest may she rest in peace.

[The Great Fumar]

My Grandfather was a terrific guy, used to make me laugh all the time ...but he did have some strange quirks ...........I thought it was strange that he alway wore the same clothes and always complained about the same food all the time , never had much news to talk about ...
I would like to have had the chance to know him better but we could only visit him once a month..........

[Best Mom]

I only knew one. My Dad's mom. I lost her when I was ten. Only gifts I got at Christmas
was from her but they said Santa Claus. When I was riding a horse once and it wouldn't stand for me to get on, she held the reins and it pulled her off the porch and broke her wrist. I felt so bad.

I am named after my Mom's Mom. She was a local saint. She fed all the hungry, took in the homeless and elderly. Guess that is one reason I try to do the same but will never be as giving as my Grandma.

Really loved my Grandma.