It was no secret that my grandparents were an important part of my like. I spent just about everyday with them from first grade until I could drive. My grandpa never missed one of my soccer games, while my grandma was basically a saint. Ahead of the service I was asked to write a memory about both by my aunt. I did, and I figured I'd share them. )
Grandma--
I spent before and after school at Grandma and Grandpa's house from first grade until I could drive. Every morning I would get to their house while they were still asleep. A short time later, Grandma would wake up. She'd shuffle out in her nightgown and start her day. The tea kettle would go on the stove, tea (for her) and hot chocolate (for me). She'd then mix up her Metamucil, I can still hear the spoon tapping those ugly plastic glasses of theirs. She'd drink her concoction, followed by a "blah". This happened every morning.
After she had her breakfast and I had my hot chocolate, she'd get dressed to walk me to the bus stop. During the school year the mornings were either cold or very cold. So Grandma would put on this silly white hat, an old brown corduroy coat, and these bright red gloves. We'd walk outside and she'd declare whether there was "frost on the pumpkins". On the walk down we talked about anything and everything.
In the first few years Grandma would walk all the way down the hill and stand with me and the other kids at the bus stop. As I got older, I think Grandma realized that wasn't really that "cool". So she stopped waiting at the stop. Instead, she'd walk to the bottom of the hill and when we got to the corner, she'd tell me to have a good day then she'd walk halfway back up the hill. And from there she would watch over me and the other kids until the bus arrived.
When the bus pulled up, we'd all climb on board. Just before I'd walk up the stairs, I'd turn back and wave. Grandma would stick her red glove in the air and wave back from her perch on the hill. And as the bus would start to drive away, Grandma would start walking the rest of the way home.
I like to think Grandma is still watching over me just like she was from her spot on the hill. I just wish I could wave goodbye and see her wave back one more time.
Grandpa--
Grandpa and I had traveled about three-quarters of the way across the country and it had been a long trip. We'd already broken down once in Albuquerque... and now we were in rural Tennessee and we needed to rest.
Somewhere along highway 40 we saw a sign for the Crown Inn. After a string on Motel 6s being treated like royalty sounded pretty darn good.
Unfortunately the monarchy had clearly fallen. From the outside it all looked fine. The place even had a pool. Check-in was fine and we were set.
Then we went into the room. We walked in and the carpet was soaked. The air conditioner had been leaking but we figured that at least it worked. Tennessee in mid July is hot and humid. So a working AC is a plus.
We unpacked our few things and I went to check out the pool. As it turns out there was probably more water in the carpet of our room than the pool. And the water that was there was nothing you'd want to swim in or even walk near.
I headed back to the room and told Grandpa the disappointing pool news. He said he'd take a shower then. I turned on the TV and sat on the bed.
About five minutes later I heard a noise is never heard before and never heard again. Grandpa was in the showering giggling. I mean giggling like a little boy. I had no idea what was going on, but the sound was so funny I started laughing too.
When Grandpa got out of the shower he explained what happened. A few minutes into the shower, the shower head dislodged but only came forward enough that the water started spraying everywhere but on Grandpa.
I'm not sure if it is really that funny. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe it was the terribleness of the situation as a whole. But whatever it was, it was the only time I ever heard him laugh like that and for that there will always have a special place in my heart for the Crown Inn. Even if it was the king of lousy hotels.
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