H is lucky enough to have three living great grandmothers and two living great grandfathers.  I can remember my Great Grandpa and Grandma Vaughn very well, and I want H to be afforded the same memories.  I used to love to go to their house and play with their wooden blocks.  All of the rooms were connected in a sort of circle shape, so when I had to use the bathroom, I made sure to go out the door that was connected to their bedroom so I could see all of my grandma's dolls lined up on her dresser and chests.  It was so awe-inspiring.  My grandma loved her flower gardens, and she always had such beautiful walkways.  As a child, though, the flowers didn't interest me nearly as much as the parakeets she raised.  They were so cool.  And she was always giving them away to the great-grandchildren.  My great-grandpa passed away quite a few years before my great-grandma so my memories of him are not quite as vivid.  When I picture him, I see him sitting in their living room in his chair watching us play in the center.  I don't remember him talking much, but he smiled at us kids a lot.  My dad always used to throw us into the air and my grandpa would threaten to come over and kick his but if he dropped us.

Dan's grandma has dementia which causes problems with her short-term memory, but she always seems to enjoy having children around, even if it's hard to remember their names.  And, let me tell you, she has no problems with her long-term memory.  I love to listen to her play the piano.  She seems to get lost in the music of a different era, and she's so comfortable on that bench.  Most of the songs she plays from memory, but she can still read the sheet music if she feels like it.  H was fascinated with the piano when we were there last weekend, and great-grandma was happy to oblige.  This moment made me feel a little sentimental for H's sake, and also for all of my own grandparents I've been lucky to know.  

                                 

It's good to know where you come from.