Grandma's Underwear Drawer

I was 26 years old when I lost my Grandpa H. 

Grandpa K, Grandpa H

He was the first of my grandparents to pass away. 

I was 34 years old when I lost my Granny H.

Granny H & one of her 17 great-children

She was the last of my grandparents to pass away.

I was lucky to have them with me for so long. I was lucky that they played a central role in my life from the day I was born until they left this world.

I was devastated when they were all gone. I still am.

Granny H, me & Grandma K

As I thought about it being Grandparent's Day today, I thought about what they meant to me over the years. They were my (and my sisters & cousins) biggest fans. I don't think I will ever experience the unconditional love like I did from them - especially my Grandpa K. 

Grandpa K knew we were the smartest, prettiest, most athletic (my younger sisters, not me) girls around. He never said it, but we knew. I miss that.

I had a hard time putting my thoughts into words here tonight. So, I grabbed a pen and notepad and wrote a list of memories I have of my grandparents. 

Spinning in granny's green chair until I was dizzy.

Putting on talent shows (actually my older sister & cousin played the Gong Show) in grandma & grandpa K's living room that made the floors bounce and the china in the cabinet rattle.

Making homemade Valentine's Day cards with paper doilies and stickers at granny's table.

Sitting on grandma's step at the farm watching dad go home for lunch (he forgot us sometimes).

Sneaking in grandma K's bedroom and eating M&Ms from a butter dish hidden in her underwear drawer. (What? Your grandma didn't keep M&Ms in her underwear drawer? Maybe she did and you just didn't find them!)

Learning what indian burns and "milking the mouse" meant when grandpa H tricked me into giving him my arm. 

Finding a dollar bill in my birthday card from grandma & grandpa K each year.

Driving granny to the nursing home the summer when grandpa was in rehab from a broken hip.

Sitting on the porch with grandma & grandpa K just visiting.

Taking Chinese food to granny's for supper and leaving with a list of CDs she wanted.

 Granny & Grandpa H and me

I still think about them daily.

I wish I could let them know how much I love them.

I wish I could go grab some M&Ms from grandma's underwear drawer.

Why I Love My Life

There is something about a fence and cattle on the other side.

The sight draws you.

It makes you stop and just take it all in.

It attracts others.

I'm loving that as a child I stood at and climbed over this same fence to get closer to the cattle in the summer (my dad's a farmer, not a rancher so when I say "cattle" I mean four or five at a time) or to go sledding in the winter.

I'm loving that my nephews (and soon my nieces) get to experience the same kind of childhood as my sisters and I had on (or near) the farm.

I'm loving that my dad is the kind of grandpa (or Papaw) that his dad (my Grandpa) was...patient, kind, loving, silly, fun and wise.

I'm loving my simple country life (that is still just 30 minutes away from the closest mall) and that I share it with my family.

Linking up to Wordless Wednesday over at Pinke Post.

Learning German...Army Style

Guten Morgen...Goo-ten MAWR-gen...Good morning!

Yesterday, I talked about how my grandpa was drafted into the service during World War II and that several years ago my grandma gave me his German Language Guide from his time overseas.

As I was looking through the booklet again, I was amused by some of the illustrations and some of the phrases the Army thought the soldiers might need while over fighting a war.

For example, the guide showed how to ask when the movie starts (Wann beginnt das Kino?). Maybe the guide was generic and used for soldiers stationed overseas during non-war times as well. It just struck me as funny.

There were several phrases that I'm sure were very useful, including Gefahr (Danger); Hilfe (Help); and Ich habe mich verlaufen (I am lost).

Another thing that caught my attention was that cigarettes were featured prominently in both the text and the illustrations. It was a different world back then in many ways. Cigarettes were obviously not as taboo as they are these days. Can you imagine the outrage if the Army published the same guide today?

(I'm glad that they included bacon!)

There were some pages that made a lot of sense, including this one...

(Read the guide...No Admittance...turn around!!)

I wish I asked my grandpa more about his experiences during the war. Not so much about the fighting or the being a prisoner of war. More like what the local people were like? What he did when he wasn't on duty? Did he really use this language guide to talk to locals? Definitely a missed opportunity to know more about him.

Unterhosen...that means undershorts! Sorry, I was looking for a cool phrase to end this post and that's what caught my eye.

Guten Tag!

I Have Freedom...Thanks to Many

We are blessed with many freedoms that I, like many others, take for granted most days. I do NOT want to take it for granted today...Veteran's Day.

Many of the freedoms I enjoy come with a high price that many brave men and women throughout the years have paid so I can be sitting here on my couch writing this.

I truly believe that the strength of our nation was built on the ability to feed and defend ourselves. I think the future of our country also depends greatly on maintaining both of these abilities.

I'm lucky to have both farmers and soldiers in my family...more farmers than soldiers and some of the soldiers were also farmers, but farmers and soldiers nonetheless.

My maternal grandfather fought in World War II. He was one of several boys in his family and I think all - or at least most - of them were drafted into service.

During the war, farmers were given an exemption from the war so that the country could continue to feed itself and its soldiers. However, my grandfather's family only had one exemption and that went to the oldest son until the next son turned 18. Then the exemption was passed to that son and the oldest went to war. This happened more than once and eventually it was my grandpa's turn.

Here he is in uniform. Not sure where or when this was taken but I recognize the attitude as well as the ears...that's my grandpa!

I believe he was shipped to Europe in late 1944 and was almost immediately captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp.

Several years ago, my grandma gave me his German Language Guide from the war. She wrote this in the back cover:

"Your grandfather was captured by the Germans on Dec. 17, 1944 near Luxembourg and was freed by the British in May 1945. The Army issued this booklet to him on his arrival overseas."

Those are powerful words that strike such emotion in me. I cannot imagine what he went through in those five months. He did not talk about his time there until his later years and then mainly to my father, his son-in-law.

Luckily he did make it through and came home to marry my grandma and raise eight children. He's been gone six years now.

Thank you, Grandpa! You are loved. You are missed.

So, on this Veteran's Day, let's say a prayer for all of the soldiers who have served or are serving our country, including my cousins who are Marines (I can't believe they are old enough to drive, let alone to be soldiers!).

God bless and watch over you.

Disclaimer: I didn't fact check everything in this post with my mom and grandma so if family is reading this and I didn't get something right, let me know!