Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

jl333 says,

I have too many nice things to say about my maternal Grandma. I call her every single day, and have for years. I don't see her often because she lives in Louisana (I'm in California). We sometimes talk for hours. My one favorite memory of my maternal Grandpa, is that he used to call me Flipper Lip, because I used to always pout.

Wench says,

My grandfather on my dad's side was an accomplished radiologist who decided to become a priest as well. He died of cancer, likely a result of years of exposure to radiation.

My grandmother on my mom's side was Martha Stewart in a Stepford Wive's body. She died of breast cancer.

My grandfather on my mom's side was an accomplished musician and named my mother 'Melodie'. He was married at least five times, possibly more. He was an alcoholic. He died of cancer.

My step-grandfather, who married my grandmother many years after my mom was born, helped to develop one of the first computers. He is still living and generally doesn't know much about me at all and doesn't seem to mind.

JAD says,

Never new either grandfather. My grandmother on mom's side had long nails, but could still use that washing rub board like nobody's business. I was nine when she passed. Dad's mom was a tall God fearing woman who never went anywhere without her white hanky. She lived to be 84. By the way mom's mom was very young when she passed 47.

JAD says,

So excited about comments about our grandparents just to learn a little bit of history. jl333 do you still pout? Wench and another Martha Stewart wow!

Dragonflower says,

My parents had me late in life,so my grandparents were also older than most. All were German. All were farmers in midwest.

Then they moved to Westcoast. I do not know why.

My maternal grandmother used to wipe down the kitchen table with a sponge and then dab at my nose with it. The top part of my nose, like a love tap. I really don't think she spoke much English, but neither did I, cuz I was a really little girl. She died when I was 5.

My paternal grandfather bought me dresses for my birthday that were so pretty and they fit. Usually my dresses were 2 sizes too big, so I could "grow into them",which I never did. I loved those dresses, but they were itchy fabric. He lost a thumb in a farm accident, but he always said it was from sucking on it. Kept me from putting my thumb in my mouth. He died when I was 10.

maryjane31 says,

Maternal grandfather was one of the founding fathers of Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pa. I met him when very young and thought he was so handsome with beautiful white hair. He told my mother I had the most beautiful laugh he ever heard.

JAD says,

Autumn, we needed your grandfather at our house. We had four thumbsuckers. MJ do you still have the laugh?

canadafreeze says,

My maternal grandparents played a very significant role in my childhood. My mother and I lived with them for the first two years of my life, and I know they imprinted their values on me. My grandfather was stern with his own children (one son and 7 daughters), but was a total pushover with his grandchildren. He loved me unconditionally and had a wicked sense of humour. My grandmother was most comfortable in her kitchen, and let me play with her, for which I have been ever grateful.

JAD says,

CF our grandparents had big families which was kinda the norm in thoes days. Grandparents on my dad's side 12 boys and 3 girls. And why are grandparents such easy preys for their grandkids? Think I already know the answer:)

jl333 says,

Nope, happy to report, no longer pout, at least with the my flipper lip.

JAD says,

:)

maryjane31 says,

Yes I still have a very unusual laugh. It has been commented on quite a bit. People try to get me to laugh so they can hear it as it makes everybody else laugh with me.

JAD says,

MJ you made me think about Goldie Hawn's laugh on Laugh in remember? She had the same effect on people.

MsKillie says,

My Grandma lived into her 90's and I'm hoping to follow her example! She kept me well-fed as a picky, skinny child and taught me all about bargain hunting, cooking, crafting, and being a mom. She also helped me raise my son while I was in college ("my boy" as she called him. He was one of the only people she remembered when Alzheimer's took over). They had a special bond that was amazing to watch! She had the biggest heart out of anyone I know and went through more in her lifetime then I could ever imagine. My Grandpa died on her birthday, which I always thought was so sad. She said it was a gift- he went quickly and didn't suffer. Grandpa was a crafty fella as well and kept my family (and the whole neighborhood) well stocked in fresh popcorn from his huge machine we had in our garage. They loved giving gifts to everyone they knew! He used to tell a story about me when I was a baby that made him tear up every single time he told it. During a big family trip to Florida, I was sitting in my babyseat near the RV window and a trucker drove by. He radioed my Grandpa on his CB and said that he felt bad for cheating on his wife. My Grandpa asked him what he meant, the trucker said that he had fallen in love with another girl- the gorgeous baby in the RV window. What a sweet story!

JAD says,

MsKillie, and what a sweet story you have told. Precious memories you'll always have. I love it.

Level1 says,

I remember untying my grandfather's shoes. They were stiff, black leather brogues with skinny laces. He died when I was 6 or 7 but before then, I used to spend my summers with him and my grandmother. He would come in after having been out, sit heavily down in his chair and ask me to untie his shoes. He had difficulty reaching them. I still remember how he would sigh and slide his feet out of the usually hot, sweaty shoes. Then he would pat my head and tell me to put them away.

JAD says,

Level1, I can vision your story as if it's happening now and its' so real. All the stories here are coming to life right before my eyes.

TeaTopper says,

Both my grandfathers died long before I was born, and both grandmothers lived for many years as widows. What's significant for me is how strong and dignified they were, and funny! They enjoyed each other's company, too. I loved listening to them talk about things that are family history now. Thanks, JAD, for this chance to share grandparent stories.

JAD says,

Thanks Tea Topper like you, didn't have any connections to my grandfathers. So glad you had your grandmothers to be a part of your life and share stories with you.

accidentaltourist says,

I only had a relationship with my mother's mother. She was single in a sense, in that my grandfather abandoned the family when my mother was small. Gram never divorced him or had him declared dead, although he disappeared and was never seen again. She taught me to cook, sew, knit, crochet, but more than that, she taught me to be a thoughtful hostess. Lunch at Gram's was much more than just a cheese sandwich...she always served extra things, like home-canned pickles and homemade applesauce. Holiday dinners were amazing. And no matter who showed up unexpectedly on Christmas, she always had a gift tucked away for them....even if she didn't even know them. I'll never forget the time she gave my boyfriend's friend a gift when he tagged along. He was raised Jehovah's Witness, had never had a Christmas present. It was a very touching moment.

JAD says,

AT sounds like your grandmother was a strong woman, after been abandoned she was able to hold her head high and carry on and to teach you the things you needed to know and still to be kind to others. Very touching.

accidentaltourist says,

She was a great woman, JAD. Strong in her faith, and her ability to raise five children alone without a father, in a time when that was not done. She's been gone 24 years, and I miss her every day. I so wish she had lived to see my children grown and meet my grandchildren, but we lost her to cancer at 78.

mzejay says,

I just attended my grandmother's 97th birthday party last month. She is an amazing woman. She and my dad graduated from high school the same year. I asked why she went back to school with a blind husband and ten children at home. She told me that she also went on to take nursing classes also.

BanjoDan says,

My grandmother made great pies and I would ride my motorcycle during Christmas break from college to visit and enjoy her delicious meals. It was a cold cold ride but worth it. My grandfather was a carpenter and fell from a barn he was building and was paralyzed. He had a great sense of humor and never complained about his situation.

JAD says,

Amazing story! mzejay. What longevity she has! 97 she has truly been blessed and graduating the same time as your dad that really blows my mind.

JAD says,

Ban,so glad to get the comment about your grandfather's sense of humor now I know why you're such a funny guy:)

ctgoods2 says,

My grandmother was an awful cook - she could turn the act of boiling water into a fire hazard.

JAD says,

Ct. I couldn't ever see her in your kitchen.

ctgoods2 says,

Me either...

Dhani says,

(True memoir) My beloved Granny Maria -now in the bosom of the Lord- supplemented her miserable wages as a (slave-labor) seamstress in the 30s & early 40s in Upstate New York, through shoplifting. Illiterate in both her native Italian & the English of her adopted country, her dimes & pennies later put me through university.

JAD says,

Dhani, her wages however earned, made a way for you. Seemingly bad situation became a good one.

lillybrook says,

My grandpa Al went shopping with me for a dress for my high school graduation. He had incredible taste -- and he bought my dress. I still have it, although it no longer fits. He is not with me anymore, but the spoils from the day we spent, just the two of us, will be with me always.

JAD says,

lillybrook that dress is your treasure it will always be a constant reminder of your grandpa Al. Thanks for sharing.

sisterpoet says,

Italian ones: FOOD
French ones: Beauty
Step ones: unconditional love

JAD says,

sisterpoet, what a variety! Thanks.

Larry_D._Smith says,

My grandfather, "Smitty," was a small-town pharmacist and kind of "Mayor" of his stretch of the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore and talk me about the love of storytelling. This site is named in honor of him, as well as the most common surname in America.

JAD says,

Larry thanks for listening to your grandfather, by doing so you have created a phenomenon site here on SMITHMAG. By the way my grandfather was a Smitty too. :) maiden name.