Yesterday we watched old movies, The Grapes of Wrath, and Coal Miners Daughter. We ended the day watching the last episode of Barney Miller. This caused me to reminisce about days gone by. As I laid in bed thoughts went back to years ago and my grandpa and grandma Bryant. So much time has gone by since they left us.

Funny to realize that I do not think about them the way I used to, and sometimes I find it hard to visualize them.  Last night was different. I could see them clearly, the way my grandpa would sit on the floor and watch TV, his laugh, his hair, his crooked finger, and his missing tooth. He taught me how to cook beans, make biscuits and gravy, and the importance of animals. He always had a close bound with his dogs, and liked cats but they had their place. He raised rabbits and chickens for food and eggs, and always had a large garden. He loved to talk about his life, and I loved hearing the stories. He was raised in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, Arkansas. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father left them when he was a baby, so his older siblings raised him. His family was loggers and moon shiners, and he grew up following their lead.

My grandma was blind and last night I could see the way her eyes would lose focus and the way she would tilt her head when she talked to you. I could see her telling me a story of her childhood as she crossed her feet and folded her arms under her breasts as she sat in her rocking chair. She was raised in Oklahoma and I loved hearing stories of her life. But my fondest memories of her is lying in bed at night and listen to her sing old folk songs. One of the only songs I know all the words to is Truly, Truly, Truly All The Day. It was on one of those nights that she taught it to me.

We lived next door to them throughout my childhood. My parents owed a duplex in East Stockton and we lived in one of the units, and they lived in the other. All I had to do was go out the front door and walk the length of the porch to get to their house it was a second home to me. Thinking back on it I realize my grandparents were by my best friends. They were my biggest cheerleaders and loved me unconditionally. I shared my life, my troubles, and dreams with them.

I am blessed to have such great childhood memories and the love of such wonderful grandparents. My hope is that when I leave this earth and Hunter, G, or Hannah’s thoughts come to me, those thoughts are job well done grandma, job well done.