I had a step Grand who was the most fabulous older women I had ever met. Rosie was always laughing, telling jokes (some not meant for young ears) and always had ice cream in little cups for us. She would wear the most gaudy jewelry but also diamonds and always wore red lipstick. Her house had a formal living space that we never used but it was decorated impeccably. I didn't spend as much time with her as my other Grandparents, but she showed me that being older didn't mean being drab and dull. Later in life when expressing my admiration for her, my much older sister informed me that my Granddad had left my mom's mom for her. I miss her dearly.
Just sent me into a memory spiral of my short, funny, and mean grandmother whose potential was wasted (as often was she) as housewife in very rural Manitoba. Because we lived next door, I'd devor her Glamour, Cosmo, and National Enquirers and, as I got older, hatch plans for my escape. I remember the first time she got a chemical peel on her face and I was horrified. She eventually got multiple face lifts, I'm assuming in the hopes of garning attention from my grandfather than she never received.
My grandmother was older, and a little less cosmopolitan (pun intended) than yours but smoked and was a straight talker Time with grandmas may not have always been what our mothers thought it should be, but it was pretty special.
Had an Auntie not quite so naughty but still intriguing. Introduced me to a mango but wouldn’t share more than a few bites. It was too exotic and expensive in upper michigan for me to get the whole thing. She clearly had the life i needed to know more about. A life with all the mangoes I wanted.
Such an evocative story. When we are kids, salacious/disquieting bits of information from the adult world can come over the transom at unexpected times and without context, but with lasting impact. And I watched a lot of McLaughlin Group with my dad.
Yes. More gram stories, tailored clothes, a blue Cadillac, that particular Rockwell print. She rules.
Grams are the greatest❤️Favorite article. I grew up with my Nana in Oregon. Relate.
I had a step Grand who was the most fabulous older women I had ever met. Rosie was always laughing, telling jokes (some not meant for young ears) and always had ice cream in little cups for us. She would wear the most gaudy jewelry but also diamonds and always wore red lipstick. Her house had a formal living space that we never used but it was decorated impeccably. I didn't spend as much time with her as my other Grandparents, but she showed me that being older didn't mean being drab and dull. Later in life when expressing my admiration for her, my much older sister informed me that my Granddad had left my mom's mom for her. I miss her dearly.
I loved this. Reminded me so much of hanging around with my grandma, being at her house as a kid. So well told, this piece is great.
Just sent me into a memory spiral of my short, funny, and mean grandmother whose potential was wasted (as often was she) as housewife in very rural Manitoba. Because we lived next door, I'd devor her Glamour, Cosmo, and National Enquirers and, as I got older, hatch plans for my escape. I remember the first time she got a chemical peel on her face and I was horrified. She eventually got multiple face lifts, I'm assuming in the hopes of garning attention from my grandfather than she never received.
My grandmother was older, and a little less cosmopolitan (pun intended) than yours but smoked and was a straight talker Time with grandmas may not have always been what our mothers thought it should be, but it was pretty special.
balance is key
Had an Auntie not quite so naughty but still intriguing. Introduced me to a mango but wouldn’t share more than a few bites. It was too exotic and expensive in upper michigan for me to get the whole thing. She clearly had the life i needed to know more about. A life with all the mangoes I wanted.
Loved this one
Excellent. Skilled storytelling, one of your best.
Such an evocative story. When we are kids, salacious/disquieting bits of information from the adult world can come over the transom at unexpected times and without context, but with lasting impact. And I watched a lot of McLaughlin Group with my dad.
Your gram was the tits. Love the scenes from your past.
Gram was an OG baddie😍.