The memories it brings back while writing this article bring a tear to my eye and a smile on my face. They were the years when I REALLY learned about my grandma and the exciting life she lived.
I wonder how many other people get this same kind of opportunity.
In the newspapers, T.V., support groups and general conversation; I hear about all of the frustration and troubles that people have while taking care of their elderly parents and grandparents. How they look at it as a chore or a have-to thing in their lives instead of looking at it as an opportunity to learn. Learn about life, history, your ancestors and most of all someone that you care very deeply about.
Now, I am the first one to admit that I definitely had those days too, but the good times surely outweighed the bad and all I had to do was remember the days of my youth when 'nana' was always there for me. Like she always said, "Life is what you make it!"; We did things together; right to the end.
Nana lived with my mother, which was a help, but my mom had to work outside of the home and at times nana couldn't be left alone; Partly due to illness and partly due to her ailments that came along with age. I would go and 'keep her company' as nana and I put it. We would clean the house, with nana doing the things that she could handle and I would do the rest (we were helping mom so she didn't have to do it after a hard day of work) and nana would fold the clothes while I washed and dryed them. We had a real buddy system going.
Nana always said that "the older generation and the youngest generation got along so well and could get so much done was because we had the same frame of mind." It took me many years to understand what she meant by that. But I later learned that she meant that things will get done -when they get done -when you work together and are having fun, so don't worry about it, stress will make you grow old!
She taught me how to cook using all of her secret ingredients and I still make the best chocolate chip cookies (next to nanas of course)! I have to use nanas cookie bowl to make them turn out right though; I must be getting help from her to this day.
Years later, nana would go to a nursing home because of illness and at first it was a stress point that nana didn't care to face head on. She didn't like it, wouldn't leave her room or go out and meet new people. It sure didn't pay to try to push her into anything because she would do things when SHE wanted to do them.
That was when we came up with the idea to make a book of her life so that when my kids were older they would know about their great-grandma. That was the best thing that we could have done. We went through her years as a child all the way to the present. I learned about the first time she saw an airplane fly, her first ride in an automobile and her first experiences as a mom. I laughed so hard at some of the things that tears would run down my cheeks and she would just say, "Wait until you're a mom, you will see what I mean!"
Those words came back in fond memories, long after she was gone. Every time something would happen with one of my kids, to me, or a deja-vue moment; I would hear nanas words.
She did eventually get out of that room of hers too; she had to show everyone what we made for 'her great-grandkids' and give them advice on how they should make one too for their families. She even helped a few of them start one so when their kids came they could help put it together with them. She was so busy that I would have to call ahead to make an appointment to be able to go to see her!
After telling my children about the stories nana told me and some of her favorite sayings, the stories of nanas life were all transferred to another generation and the memories of her will live on.
Only two of my children were blessed with knowing her, but the other two know her as if she was still sitting here in her chair passing on her words of wisdom.
Wait until you’re a mom, wait until you're a grandma, wait until you have your first job, wait until-----; and nana was right about each and every circumstance. I grew up knowing that her words of wisdom were always right and they were something that I needed to pass on to the next generation. Now I am the grandma and it is my turn to say "Just wait until-"!
'Life is what you make it' and 'just wait until-' is something that I now apply to everything that I do because of the teachings of a wise woman; just think how wonderful it would be if everyone had a nana!
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer and creator of www.organizingandcleaning.com, she offers tips, hints and shortcuts to everyday problems with organizing your home, work, family and life. She also offers shortcuts on cleaning your house, recipes for cleaners and tips to make the jobs faster and easier.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
tweet this!