I have always treasured this photo of four generations. Standing is my Grammy McLean, seated on the left is her mother, my great-grandmother Haines and then my mom Shirley holding me.
This photo is from Grammy's 100th birthday party in 2004. Grammy loved her birthday parties and expected one each year! I had recently had major back surgery and was on bedrest for two months but drawing on the McLean trait of "get up and go" I made sure I was there! In this photo are from left to right: my middle child Benjamin, my mom (Grammy's oldest daughter) Ashton, me and Mark. 
Here are my mom, Grammy and myself on Grammy's 101st birthday! Grammy was the best grandmother a child could ask for. She and my grandfather had a dairy farm and we lived just a few minutes away. In the photo on the wall over my head is the windmill that was (and still is) on the farm. I always felt "important" that my grandmother had such a thing on her farm, no one else did! I loved going to Grammy's on Sundays and playing with my cousins, in the cow barn, hay barn, out in the woods, playing Red Rover and Red Light, Green Light on what seemed to be the biggest lawn ever. Grammy had a cookie jar filled with molasses cookies. It seemed like she was always cooking or baking something in the big black cookstove. Alot of visits I would stay inside just listening to the adults conversing, sitting on a stool in the kitchen window. Ahh...and the smell of bread baking makes me think of Grammy. When I would spend the night at Grammy's it was a given that every morning I would be awakened at the ungodly hour of 4:30 or 5 a.m. when she would go down cellar and throw wood into the wood furnace!
Grammy passed away in 2006 and I still miss her so. Particularly today on her birthday. How big a deal I thought I was as our birthdays were two days apart! To me, she was the perfect Grammy.
21 comments:
What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. It's great that she lives on in so many happy memories.
Oh Cheryl, I love seeing family pictures. The 4 generation picture is so special.
Amazing that your Grammy lived to be over 100... George's Dad (97) may just do the same thing. Awesome!!!
I am Grammy to my grands --so hearing that name makes her even more special.
Hugs,
Betsy
great memories and tributes...it's a challenge to live up to the standards our grandmothers set before us of family involvement and service...
OK, so now I'm crying. I miss your grandmother (my mother), too. Even though she's been gone three years now, I still find myself thinking I should call her, wishing I could talk with her. It was fun to read your post and see Mum from your perspective. I know she loved all her grandchildren so much. She especially loved the fact that you and she almost shared a birthday. Thank you for writing this post.
Cheryl, It sounds like you had wonderful childhood. Now that I'm older, I realize how valuable and important our grandparents are. I miss mine very much too. Your Grammy sounds just so wonderful (my mom is a "grammy" too to my two nephews).
Vicki
Perfect grammys are few and far between. It seems like you had one or two. I enjoyed your family post today and having a look at the pictures.
George: I was blessed to have such a wonderful grandmother and able to spend so much of my childhood with her.
Betsy: Thanks for your nice comment. Its funny what people call their grandparents. I think Grammy is the best name! Yes, she lived to a few months shy of her 102nd birthday!
Lin Floyd: I can only hope I can be as wonderful a grandmother in the future as mine was to me!
Aunt Jean: I shared your tears today. Gosh, I can only imagine how much you all miss your mother. She was one in a million! I should have noted as well how much my three children loved her and how much they looked forward to going to "Great-Grammy's" with Mom and me.
Lucy the Cat: Thanks for visiting today. As a child I knew my grandmother was special but as I have gotten older it really means so much more to me as I realize how much of an impact she had on my life.
Abraham Lincoln: Glad you stopped by! It was nice to be able to share my memories today on my grandmother's birthday.
I remember Mom dressing me up in my dresses and lacy socks. The ride up to N. Anson felt like it lasted days to me! And at her 100th birthday party, she was smacking everyone in the behind with that cane! She was truly a special great-grandmother as well.
Awesome post! I remember her sitting, cross leg in her chair, her yeast rolls, pickles and mostly her humming hymns!!
I like that picture with four generations in it. You are blessed with a wonderful family. I can only imagine what it must have been like to have a kind loving grammy, and for so many years.
The only grandparent that I knew was my mother's mother and she was a loud chain smoking woman with a bad temper.
This is a really nice post.
ps I hope your back surgery was a sucsess.
This is truly awesome cheryl. all four generations together is something we don't really get to see. a fitting tribute. regards to ashton.
A beautiful post and nice old photos!
What a wonderful grandmother you had. I'm glad she left you with wonderful memories. It's my mother's birthday tomorrow and we'll be celebrating it, too.
All of those photos are so special, but the first one is amazing. What a treasure to have one of all of those generations together!
Your story made me sad. I don't like how things change and we lose loved ones.
I lost one of my grandmothers three years ago and I really miss her (and my grandpa). I loved going to their house.
I'm blessed to still have my mom's parents....they are 90 and 93. They are wonderful people and have done so much for me.
I enjoyed reading about your time on the farm....I'm sure that was awesome!
Thanks for sharing your photos and stories.
Ashton: Remember when she received the Boston Post cane? She did the same thing that day! She loved to tease.
Margaret: I have a photo of Grammy in her yoga pose! I have to go look for that. Gosh to get a package of rolls to take home after a visit was like receiving gold!
James: Thanks for visiting. I was very lucky to have such wonderful women in my life. My great-grandmother lived to almost 100 herself! I can still remember going to visit her in NB, a major trip way back when. She would sing hymns as she worked.
nituscorner: Thanks for stopping by and leaving the nice comment. I just had to honor my Grammy on her birthday, it was nice to share my memories. She was one in a million!
Pete: Hi there. I am fortunate that I have the photograph of the four generations. Very lucky!
Kay: Glad you stopped by. A very Happy Birthday tomorrow to your mom! Have a wonderful day celebrating with her.
Marci: I am glad you have your mom's parents in your life. I am sure you must have many wonderful memories to share. Isn't it wonderful to have such dear family members?
Hi Cheryl, nice pics. Wow! 4 generations.
Lucky you having these pics.
I guess its fun looking at these old pics.
Beautiful memories too.
First we are children to our parents, then parents to our children, then parents to our parents, then children to our children.
Have a pleasant week, best regards, Lee.
What a lovely piece written for your grandmother.. May God Bless Her!!
btw, have a lovely weekend with your daughter... take care...
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What a wonderful post for your Grandmother. Seeing all of those family pictures and hearing your stories of your childhood at your grammy's playing outside with your cousins reminded me of my days at my grandmothers every Sunday, & in summers. We did the very same things. Happy birthday to your Grammy. And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
I must have been wonderful to have such a grandmother and to have been so close to her.
Happy Birthday!
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