My sweet Grammy, a painter, a seamstress, and a crafter of all kinds. She collected trinkets and tchotchkes — tiny spoons and bells, toys, Where’s Waldo books, classic movies and magazines. Her old art books she kept for us were formative in my early drawing days, and hugely impactful to the artist I am today. On her kitchen floor she painted a koi fish pond with lily pads and a happy little frog. She sewed her own fur coat (one that I’m so blessed to have now, and just wore on Valentine’s Day), and her own collection of matching silk pajamas she’d wear every night. She loved going to the movies and eating at McDonald’s, especially with all of us.
(She went so often in fact, at one point they were giving her the toy displays when it was time to change them out; she then made ornaments out of all of the toys, and had her own McDonald’s toy Christmas tree. And I remember thinking it was the most magnificent thing as a kid)
She and my Poppa took us to DisneyWorld and Universal Studios, Grammy’s hometown in California, and San Francisco, too. In the summer we’d all go camping at the lake for two weeks, playing card games, learning to ride bikes, swimming and eating ice cream from Dunlap’s. They never missed a Grandparent’s Day breakfast.
Sleepovers at Grammy and Poppa’s were the best. Cabinets stacked with classic VHS tapes, drawers of video games, and a whole closet of toys. She’d let us stay up late to play Pokémon and Mario, and introduced us to Abbott & Costello, Mr. Bean, and Koko the Gorilla. When she put us to bed at night she’d tell a “Suzie & Sniffles” story — all from her imagination. In the morning we’d wake up to pancakes and bacon, and a bowl of cream-o-wheat with butter and sugar for me, just because it was my favorite, and she didn’t mind.
But beyond the treasures and trips, between the memories, was a Grammy full of love for her grandkids and great-grandkids. So much of my own creative spirit, and appreciation for pretty little things, comes from her. It’s so hard to part, but I’m so blessed to have all these precious memories to look back on now! And what a joy to know Grammy and Poppa are reunited again💛🕊️
first thought was Kermit & Miss Piggy but then we realized Jordan was dressed exactly like Steve from Blue’s Clues 🐷🪩🖼️💌🎃🛼 happy Halloween!!! @chordandjocks
