Originally Posted By RoadTrip I made a post about popcorn in the "Posts the Most" thread and the memories came flooding back. They were the most wonderful grandparents a kid could ever have. They took me on trips with them and I saw much of the U.S. Without them I would have never seen Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm as a child. I would have never seen the NY Worlds Fair in 1964. I would have never seen the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall or been to the top of the Empire State Building. I would not have been able to tour the White House (you can't get close to it now). I would have never seen Colonial Williamsburg or crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. I would have never experienced Boston or Quebec or Montreal or Niagra Falls. I have seen all this and more because of them. They were always there for me, even when my parents were not. I look back and can't believe what they did for me at times. When I bought my first car (a $200 wonder) and had trouble I could not fix and couldn't afford to take anywhere, I would call up my Grandpa. He was close to 70 years old at the time, but he would drive the 200 miles and be there the next day. He would crawl under my car, take it apart, figure out the problem and repair it. He was the most remarkable man I have ever known in my life. He had only an eight grade education. He started at a Ford Dealership as a mechanic and later ended up owning it. Despite an 8th grade education he was elected President of the local School Board and President of the local Historical Society. He was the smartest man I have ever known. My Gramma and Grandpa always knew how much I loved them. But I never appropriately thanked them for everything they did for me. When you are young you just seem to think that whatever you experience is normal. It is only later that you discover how truly extraordinary it was.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo This is wonderful. And an 8th grade education back then was much more comprehensive then it is now. I'm sorry your parents weren't always there for you. I had the same experience. I will always be grateful for the adults in my life who cared about me.
Originally Posted By iamsally That is a great story. We really strive to be that kind of grandparents. I was lucky to have terrific parents. I loved my grandparents but they lived far away so I did not get to know them well. The exception being my maternal grandma who lived to 107. I was able to know her as an adult. She was phenomenal. Thank you for sharing and I would love some of that popcorn you described!
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Wow. You were blessed by having these grandparents. They sound wonderful.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Wow. You were blessed by having these grandparents. They sound wonderful.>> I know. They truly were. When I would spend weeks with them during the summer they always did things with me that they hoped I would enjoy. Whether it was taking me to the beach at the local lake (which I loved), letting my play at the local park, or just taking me out to the Dairy Queen or the A&W Drive-In for my beloved Coney Dog and Root Beer Float; they always tried to make sure I was able to do something I enjoyed. And let's face it... how many people in their 60's really love going to the beach? I realize now they were doing it all for me. My parents were well off, and I can't say I had a bad life with them. But my Dad's job meant he took frequent trips on business, and even when he was 'home' he frequently didn't get home from work until after I was in bed. I know he thinks he was doing it for his family...to 'improve' the way we lived. But he never took me to a ball game, to the beach, or anything much else a kid would want to do. He did take me to things he enjoyed... high end restaurants, symphony concerts, etc. But hey, I was a kid. It wasn't what I wanted or needed. I know he loved me, but he wasn't a person well suited to being a father. He did the best he could with what he had. But I am so glad that my grandparents were able to give me the best childhood I could have hoped for. I just wish that I would have realized how special it was at the time so I could have told them how much it mean to me.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Your grandparents were inspiring, the likes I've never heard of! What a great legacy they left you.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I just wish that I would have realized how special it was at the time so I could have told them how much it mean to me.<< Seems like we never realize what we have at the time, no matter what age we are. But I'm sure they knew that in time you would come to fully appreciate all they did for you, and how much you were loved by them. People of their generation didn't always say it as much as we do know, but the really good ones, like your grandparents, showed it a million ways.
