Grandparents

I have been feeling lately like I need to go see my grandparents.  They are getting very elderly and are not in the greatest of health.  I have not seen them in almost six years and I miss them dearly!  My paternal grandmother will be turning 96 years old next month.  Last time I saw her was for her 90th birthday party.  She is one of those very elegant women who always has struck me as being very proper.  She was a beautician and had a salon in their house.  I have many fond memories of playing beauty shop there with my siblings.  Riding the chair up and down then sitting under the hair dryers.  My grandmother always had gum in her purse.  I remember once when we were having french toast for breakfast at her house my cousin mixed powdered sugar and syrup on his french toast.  My grandma was fairly horrified by the fact that he had done that.  Turns out it is a tasty mixture!  Grandma wasn't too sure about that though.  She has been ailing the past few years and has dementia.  I love seeing the pictures my cousin and aunt post of her on Facebook. 

My maternal grandparents still live in the same home I always remember them living in.  My grandfather is in his early 90's and my grandmother will be turning 90 soon.  Grandma cannot see so well anymore and grandpa has heart issues.  They are hanging in there and taking care of each other.  I last saw them on the way to my paternal grandma's 90th birthday party.  I get regular updates from my mom, so still feel somewhat in the loop.  It is not the same as being able to see them though.  My grandpa smoked a pipe for most of his life.  Many of my memories of him growing up revolved around him and his pipe.  He also loved to play gold.  I have a picture of him with Angel from when she was 2 1/2 sitting in his recliner.  He had his hand on the lever and would lay the chair back and then sit back up.  They were both smiling and laughing, just having a great time!  My grandma sat there and asked him if he was okay since he normally does not do things like that.  My grandma is a fairly tall woman and always liked to show off how high she could kick.  She loved to go to garage sales.  I still have a Christmas candle set that she bought me at a garage sale. 

I am planning on buying a plane ticket and setting up a car rental tomorrow so I can go out to see them all!  I will be going out the weekend before my paternal grandmother's 96th birthday.  I will spend two days with my dad's side of the family; my grandmother, my aunt, and my cousins.  My dad, step-mom, and I think their kids will be there also.  I am so excited to see them all!  I will then go spend a day with my maternal grandparents before I have to fly home.  I am very grateful to my sweet husband that is willing to make this trip happen for me moneywise.  I am also grateful to my mom for agreeing not only to take me to the airport, but to watch my kids for a couple hours. 

I cannot wait to get to see my grandparents!  They have made such an impact on my life and I love them so much.