Today is a day of many celebrations in my family. It is the 26th wedding anniversary of my favorite brother and his lovely wife, the 30th birthday of my nephew-in-law and also would have been the 96th birthday of my Grandma Roberta.


Grandma died almost 21 years ago, just a few weeks after Brian's first birthday. I still miss her.

I can remember going to her house in Waterloo to visit. She lived near a busy highway and had a small two bedroom house. The backyard lead to the garage where the "little nigger boy" (so politically incorrect!) opened and closed the garage door. She even had a squirrel that was somewhat tamed and would come to the back door for treats. I also remember walking to the nearest drugstore to buy candy after she snuck me some money. Her purse always had a little change purse with gum and lifesavers in it, which of course she always shared.

I remember she ate "madeerian" oranges and stored her leftovers in her "tooperware". The last Halloween she was alive I answered the door at her house for the trick or treaters...I was 9 days away from having Brian but could still get up from the chair faster than her :)

In my living room sits a white angel and a little boy on a toy horse...both figurines from her. When we used to live at Marathon I could feel her presence every time I was in the kitchen washing dishes...weird, I know, but I still felt like she was watching me. I often think how much she would enjoy Becky and Kayla, just like she adored Brian.

There were times she was hard-headed and stubborn, but she always loved me. From that last pan of cookies that were always burnt to the crazy driving to the kisses she always gave me I miss her. Have a happy birthday in heaven Grandma...I love you!

date August 18, 2010

3 comments to “Celebrations”

  1. deb
    August 19, 2010 at 2:17 PM

    Very well said Kathy!!!
    She was a very special Person!!!!

  1. pamela
    August 20, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    I remember when she lived by Sioux City and Jeff & I got to stay with her for a week. We always thought we were special getting to stay with Grandma. I also remember the coin purse with the lifesavers. To this day my favorite lifesaver is the butterum flavor she always seemed to have in her purse. I can also remember her bad driving, and her special ways of saying certain words.

  1. grandma F
    August 25, 2010 at 7:29 PM

    thanks you guys for what you said about Grandma, some days I still miss her so much.

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