Thursday, June 3, 2010

Grandma and Grandpa's house....

















We spent the evening at Grandma & Grandpa's. I marveled as always how an 82 year old woman could dig a hole in the ground, plant
a few seeds, and grow the kind of garden that she does, with one arthritic knee that she refuses to replace, even though she needs a complete replacement.

She ripped open a watermelon for us, cooked Persian rice, and made us tea.
I sat outside for 15 minutes, smiling at her clothesline and daydreaming of being a little girl. Grandma's house -a full garden, clothes drying on the line, and the hot Summer heat.


Grandpa was tired. Today he rode his bike (he's 87) with Post Office tape all over the seat all the way to Super Target. I almost had a heart
attack. He rode miles, through a few of the busiest intersections in town, because he heard a rumor that the watermelon were $3 there,
and $5 at Wal-Mart. The $2 save was worth it, until he got there and realized it was just a rumor.

So on the way home with his $5 Wal-Mart watermelon in his bike basket, he got a flat about 4 miles from home. He doesn't speak a
word of English. It's a good thing he prepared by bringing his pump. He stopped every mile to refill it with air, and like always,
quickly and efficiently, repaired his bike tire when he got home. When I was a little girl, I loved watching him dip his tire into
a bowl of water, looking for the hole to patch. I asked him if he felt up to taking a few pictures today -I am so happy over the thought
of finally capturing Grandpa riding his bike. It's the way I will always remember him.
He declined.


One time, the local newspaper stopped Grandpa on the street to ask him if he'd be willing to allow them to do an article on him
for the paper, and to take a few pictures. He declined, and I laughed.

I am still so thankful that he did this. If there were ever anyone that wrote a great story about my Grandpa, it would be me.


.....

Tomorrow morning we're leaving early for a last minute spur-of-the-moment road trip to Austin. Back to the city that steals my heart, every time :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.



PS, my friend Megan is in labor, as we speak :) Please send good vibes her way.

20 comments:

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

Good vibes to Megan. *sending now*

Your grandpa makes my heart sing. I love the image of his post office tapped seat. Your grandparents are true pioneers and I love reading about them.

Oddly enough clothes lines always remind me of my grandmothers. We rarely hung anything on the line when I was growing up at home. But in the sweet mountain air of Pennsylvania my grandmothers liked the sun dried items best. ox

Thank you for the memories!

Enjoy your trip, I can't wait to see the images!!!

a little black cloud in a dress said...

After having read back a bit on your blog, I've decided that your grandfather is the cutest thing ever.

stacey said...

aren't grandparents amazing? I love mine. your grandpa sounds amazing. I just love reading your stories about him!

Anonymous said...

I've loved your entries since the ljs days. I was wondering whatever happened to that ex you had before michael? How did you get over him? I am having the worst time getting over my ex. I unfortunately haven't been able to find a new guy. How long after your ex did you meet michael? and how did that all happen? Where can I meet a decent guy that won't hurt me like my ex?

Christine said...

Your posts about your grandpa always make me smile!

Paige said...

I love the bike seat! Your grandparents sound like fantastic people :)

siniann said...

I really love this post, your grandparents are so lovely.

Oh, I love road trips, specially when it's not too much planned :)
I hope you both have great time!

And I hope your friend Megan is well and will have a healthy baby *good vibes coming* :)

M said...

your posts are really sweet - I love the picture of your grandma's hands :-)

mama bear said...

Beautiful words and pictures. You're grandpa sounds like a great man, you must love hanging out with your grandparents.

That watermelon looks amazing! x

Mel said...

Your love and admiration for them is PALPABLE. How honoring.
Your photogrphy- no words.

Thanks for your view of all things pure and beautiful.

jeana said...

Oh that is too sweet! My grandpa is the exact same way. He will do anything to save a dollar, and he always rigs something up and will use it until there is no possible way to use it anymore. I take my boys to visit them once a week, and they just love it. Have a fun weekend in Austin!

A. said...

Aww, I love your Grandpa! He makes me nervous though with the bike riding.

Unknown said...

grandpas are the BEST :) mine is almost 80 and he still farms...i worry about him out plowing the fields all of the time. hope you have a fun road trip!

Bella Beach Babe said...

I love the mail tape on the bike seat. I loved this post. Grandpa's are so special. My grandfather died a few months ago and I am so glad my children were able to know him and have stories of their own about him.

Jodi said...

they seem like such precious souls x

Aura said...

Kelly- I always love hearing from you. Thank you for your always-thoughtful comments.


Anonymous- I really don't like talking about my ex in here. That was SUCH a long time ago, I was 20 years old! I'm almost 30 now, and not really thinking much about anything from the past. We were very young, and both did a lot of ugly things to each other.

There are plenty of fish in the sea. I don't know what to tell you about finding a good guy, but I will tell you it's not worth getting hung up on someone that has hurt you over and over again, because you could be missing a better opportunity with someone that won't. Good luck!



:) Thanks, guys. We had a wonderful time.

Pure Ella said...

How great to have this lovely relationship with your grandparents. Your grandpa especially at 87 cracks me up - I'm just picturing him on his bike with the watermelon.... how funny. It's good to see old folks not slowing down...
You guys need to plan for some babies soon so the great grandparents can enjoy the chain of life...

Aura said...

Oh, Ella you are so right. You don't know how many times I've kept myself up, heart broken over the thought of not one picture of them with our babies. But ultimately we decided we couldn't have kids for anyone else, you know? They're such a big part of me....but I am starting a new family of my own, now. And my husband & I's time together traveling and staying up and laughing with friends just the two of us comes first :)
We have fought cats and dogs through the 4 years we've been married about when was the right time. One day we realized it's never the right time, it just happens. So if one day my baby is born and Grandma and Grandpa are there to see it, I will be a very happy girl :) But that's not up to either of us, it's just our path we will trust and continue to follow in.
Thanks for the comment. I am going to try my best to get a picture of Grandpa with a watermelon in his bike basket :)

katie said...

this is absolutely the sweetest post. reminds me of my grammie & pop :)

Rachel Elizabeth said...

Beautiful. I especially love the picture of your grandmother's hands and the caterpillar one is wonderful as well.