Snapshot #2: a "prodder" by Grandpa Jim

Question: How did Mom get the nickname "lead foot?" She probably first drove a car in about 1912 to 1915 or so. (Model T, probably.) What sort of experiences caused her to enjoy fast driving? What must Dad have said about it? (Or, did she drive a little more cautiously when he was along?) (Or, did he let her drive when he was along?) I never thought to ask him and I was 33 when he died.) Somebody's memoir would have answered the mystery.

Read a memoir. Write a memoir. Post a memoir. Today's the best of all days!

Snapshot #1: a "prodder" by Grandpa Jim

There's a question that has nagged me for some time. How on earth did Mom and Dad meet? He was raised in central Iowa, she in west-central Michigan, where they got married. How did Dad happen to be in Grand Rapids? Where had he been between Spanish American War navy service and their meeting? How did they then happen to migrate to Quincy, Illinois for the birth of their second son? I'll never know. Everybody who did know is long gone. If only they had written a memoir!

FROM GRANDDAUGHTER, Sarah

I would be honored to kick off this new blog with my own favorite memories of Grandpa Jim!

I remember visiting Grandpa Jim and Grandma Jean's house as a young child. I loved to go there! I would spend hours in the basement with Grandpa Jim and his art supplies. We made blank journals together and colored posters with his awe inspiring collection of markers. There was an ever-lingering smell of cigar smoke about Grandpa Jim. While he quit smoking the cigars years ago - because he discovered that it endangered Grandma Jean's health - the smell of cigar smoke still brings back pleasant and warm memories!

I also remember our trips to the art supply store with Grandpa Jim. We would be on our way out the door and Grandma Jean would shake her head and say "I really should at least take your credit cards away before you two leave..." Sending the two of us into an art store unsupervised was risky indeed!

I fully credit Grandpa Jim for my love of fine dining! He and Grandma Jean took us to the most amazing restaurants. There was a Japanese place "Ichiban" where they cooked the food in the middle of the table. If I concentrate really hard, I think I can still taste the amazing marinade they used on their shrimp! And then the dinner theater.... don't even get me started on the delightful times we had watching "Fiddler on the Roof."

I also remember Grandma Jean's Christmas trees. She decorated one tree with white doves and red cardinals! Gorgeous. She made Christmas so special for us. She would load presents under the tree and end up laughing at how carried away she had gotten. I would worry that maybe next year she would remember it, and cut back on the amount that she would buy. But she never did! If anything, the next year's tree would seem even smaller in comparison to the stacks of brightly colored boxes below.

And speaking of gifts, Grandpa Jim's Christmas presents always included jewelry for the women. I still remember how special and grown up I felt when I got a little box with earrings. I think I was 7. And I still have those earrings!

When my daughter, Ellie, was only two years old, Grandma Jean began keeping her on Thursday mornings so that I could get some free time. I was so thankful to have that time away, but what I didn't realize was how deep of a bond my daughter and my grandma were forging. Their Thursdays began to become even more cherished by them than they were by me! I can just imagine my sweet girl in Heaven (yes, she made it there before her great-grandmother) just waiting and planning to someday spend her Thursdays showing Grandma Jean the streets of gold.

I have so many wonderful memories of my beloved grandparents... they have always loved me, encouraged me, and been generous beyond measure. Grandpa Jim, I hope that this blog will bring you great joy as you bring people together through the sharing of memories! I love you and Grandma Jean so much.

NOTE: the purpose of my blog is not as an existing family exchange...not just my personal views, but as a forum for anyone who shares my love of exchanging memories. Memories can be, and often are, HISTORY. I'd like to have SENIORS, baby boomers, and history buffs all to get involved as they are inclined. As the readers, or the writers,( I'll have more on this as we go along.) they will provide the "meat" of this endeavor.

The first post is from our beloved Sarah, and I'm indebted to her for "breaking the ice." I recall the seven year-old Sarah as she roller skated on the basement floor and sang songs to herself...hymns, as it turns out! (She was working on me, and I didn't know it!)

I reserve the right to edit, reduce, paraphrase, or otherwise cause posts to fit my basic purpose.

One of my major goals is to provide examples, or samples, or excerpts that will inspire you to share your memories. I even have a collection to draw upon...written by ordinary folks, just like us. You may gain ideas, topics, suggestions, etc., that will "trigger" a memory of your own.

And if your post needs some "proofing," I'll try to provide that, too.

Another of my goals is to prod people into getting parents and grandparents to write (or even dictate, orally) their memories. I Have a lot of questions that I'd love to ask my parents...but I've outlived them! Don't let that happen, please.

Example: An aunt of mine always believed that, because we had ancestors named Harrison, that we must have been descended from one of the two presidents. Maybe, maybe not. I'm too old to start becoming a genealogist, so I guess I'll never know...and it doesn't matter...but it's an interesting, unanswered question that has come down through the ages.

OK, enough, for now. I'm excited to see what happens to this. (If all you care to do is read, I sincerely hope you'll get something from it.) Love, Grandpa Jim.