grandparents

Many of us have lovely memories of
childhood days spent at Grandpa and
Grandma's house. Today, let's pour
ourselves a cup of cocoa (the kind
that Grandma used to make)
and reminisce a little. Nancy

When Grandpa comes and reads to me
I feel the sun and smell the sea.
I hear of men who caught the whales,
And then some wild safari tales.

He reads how cowboys rode the trails
And men worked hard to build the rails
That carried trains out to the west,
Then baseball stories I like best.

Grandpa can't do skateboards, though,
And he's not good with Nintendo.
These things I overlook, you see,
Cause I love him and he loves me.
-- Bob Tucker

I like to walk with grandma,
Her steps are short like mine.
She doesn't say, "Now hurry up,"
She always takes her time.

I like to walk with grandma,
Her eyes see things like mind do -
Wee pebbles bright, a funny cloud,
Half hidden drops of dew.

Most people have to hurry,
They don't like to stop and see;
I'm glad that God made Grandma,
Unrushed, and young like me.
-- Thena Smith

Grandpa's tool shed is a special place,
Full of mystery and delight,
Where little kids can come and watch
While Grandpa builds a kite.
Each day before the sunset,
Grandpa is always there,
The sound of saw and hammer
Filling the evening air.
Grandpa can fix anything
And make it look brand-new;
He fixes toy cars and airplanes,
Trucks and trailers, too.
There are many happy moments
Pleasant to recall,
But Grandpa in his tool shed
Is the nicest one of all.
-- Marie Dostan

A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes. She is someone you can tell your secrets and worries to, and she hopes and prays that all your dreams come true. She always loves you, no matter what. She can see past temper tantrums and bad moods and makes it clear that they don't affect how precious you are to her. She is an encouraging word and a tender touch. She is full of proud smiles. She loves you with all her heart, she remembers the child you were and cherishes the person you've become. -- Barbara Cage

My grandpa is my mother's pa,
I guess that what most grandpa's are.
And sometimes ma, all smiles, will say:
"You didn't always act that way,
When I was little, then you said
That children should be sent to bed
And not allowed to rule the place
And lead old folks a merry chase."
And grandpa laughs and says: "That's true,
That's what I used to say to you.
It is a father's place to show
The young the way that they should go,
But grandpas have a different task,
Which is to get them all they ask."

When I get big and old and gray
I'm going to spend my time in play;
I'm going to be a grandpa, too,
And do as all the grandpas do.
I'll buy my children's children things
Like horns and drums and tops with strings,
And tell them all about the trees
And frogs and fish and birds and bees
And fairies in the shady glen
And tales of giants, too, and when
They beg of me for just one more,
I'll take them to the candy store;
I'll buy them everything they see,
The way my grandpa does for me.
-- Edgar Guest

Grandmas are for stories
About things of long ago.
Grandmas are for caring
About all the things you know.
Grandmas are for rocking you
And singing you to sleep.
Grandmas are for giving you
Nice memories to keep.
Grandmas are for knowing
All the things you're dreaming of.
But, most importantly of all,
Grandmas are for love.
-- Author Unknown

My ice cream dripped on his good pants,
But Grandpa doesn't care.
His fishing tackle's tangled up,
His rod is who knows where?
I lost his keys in the garage,
I've made a mess out there.
I'm always getting into things,
But Grandpa doesn't care.
I help him in the garden cause
We're really quite a pair,
I pull the plants out with the weeds,
But Grandpa doesn't care.
When I am grown and on my own,
And visits home are rare,
I won't forget the love I got
When Grandpa didn't care.
-- Author Unknown

Each time I go to Grandma's place
To spend some summer hours,
She lets me pick a big bouquet
Of pretty garden flowers.
I've learned the names of almost all
The flowers Grandma grows;
Carnation, iris, pansy, phlox,
Begonia, lily, rose.
The sweet pea is my favorite;
It has a lovely smell.
The flower Grandma likes the best
Is Canterbury bell.
I think my Grandma's wonderful
And hope that when I'm grown,
I'll have a "green thumb" just like hers
And flowers of my own.
-- Pauline Walker

Written by third-graders:

A grandmother let's you put your vegetables back in the pot if you don't want them.

A grandmother always thinks that you are going to get hurt playing football.

A grandmother says she has a very good memory, but she can't remember her age.

A grandmother never says "Hurry up!"

A grandmother is good at sitting on the floor to play, but she can be very difficult to get upright again.

A grandmother always gives you the cherry from her ice cream sundae.

A grandmother comes to football games and cheers even though she may not know what's happening.

A grandmother is a baby-sitter who watches the kids instead of the television.

A boy needs a grandpa for man-to-man talks,
To go hand in hand on companionable walks,
To fix up his toys when they no longer go,
To tell him things little boys want to know.
A boy needs a grandpa to show him the way
To handle a puppy, to teach him fair play.
To impart the wisdom he's learned through the years,
That it's no disgrace for a man to shed tears.
A boy needs a grandpa to sit on his lap
And if no one is looking, to take a wee nap,
Each wrapped in an aura of love and esteem,
Each smiling gently at some special dream.
-- Author Unknown

Today I left some dishes dirty,
The bed got made around 3:30,
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The dirty streaks on the windowpanes
Will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say....
Exactly WHAT did you do today?

I held a baby til she slept,
I held a toddler while she wept,
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
I taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true,
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
With deep blue eyes and soft blonde hair...
If that is true, I've done my share.
-- Author Unknown

Music: Butterfly Kisses
(To save midi, right-click
on title and choose
'Save target as').

Journal Index

The Past Whispers - Home

GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE COCOA
2 tablespoons Hershey's cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
Scant pinch of salt
4 tablespoons boiling water
1 cup milk
2 drops vanilla extract
Whipped cream or marshmallows - optional
In a saucepan, mix the cocoa powder, sugar & salt; slowly blend in the boiling water; boil for 2 minutes until slightly thickened; reduce heat and stir in milk; heat slowly over low heat until scalding hot, stirring frequently; remove hot cocoa from heat and add vanilla extract; beat until foamy.