I have tears. My great grandfather on my mom’s side was just such a kind person. I remember he smelled of pipe smoke and always, always had spearmint gum drop, sugared wedges, in the pocket of his old gray sweater to share. Bless you for this memory.
Julie, this warmed my heart. I never knew my grandparents, they lived in Canada. By the time my dad decided to take us on a family trip there, they were already deceased. I’m so happy for you to have such lovely memories of your grandad, so sweet. Thank you for this precious story from your past.
Jesus Julie. How do you do it? Every time it's like you pick out threads from my brain.
Your attention to details is amazing. That's so special.
I would say sorry for your loss but these things are inevitable. It's only the manner I can be sorry for. Horrible.
My own grandfather died of sudden thrombosis whilst dressing up as a woman in underwear he had stolen from my grandmother. Alone, at home, in his own room. They covered it up of course. He was a magistrate, leader of some chapter in the masons, local councillor, president of some business leader's committee or some such nonsense. Army Captain. Life long member of the Conservative Party.
He also told stories about hedgehogs who played cricket on the lawn, built model train sets, regaled us with tales of his wartime adventures in India and Germany and France and Egypt and everywhere. He played with us with the toys from his play box from the 1920s.
My grandmother was so relieved when he passed. We never knew the crap he subjected her to. Or the love. Theirs was a difficult relationship to understand. She lasted exactly one year longer, but what a year!
And I know. It's difficult, so so difficult when they leave us. I've always loved the wrinkled , translucent skin of older folk. It's a wrapper that signals a world of history close to loss, ready to be transferred. To live on. Meme birth. Eternal life - the death that gives life. My ancestral relatives live on in my mind and in the minds of my children. And their children.
How things change eh? Back then he was shamed, these days he’d probably have an influencer account on TikTok!
Nah, I jest but people are complex aren’t they and do we ever really know what goes on both behind closed doors and behind the even more tightly locked doors of someone’s mind. If you have fond memories of him, remember his wonderful stories and can find the good then that’s a worthwhile legacy.
We all have to die of something eh?
My Aunty Edie was murdered with an axe by my cousin so I think he got off quite lightly with cancer, really.
Aw your Grandad ! x Many echos of my Grandad there, he could also fix anything (not plastic) and had a flat thumbnail. It is the smell of wood that reminds me of him... his shed really. He made me a gate on the side of his garden (I sometimes wonder if it is still there 50 years on!) and a little cupboard in his shed with a light that came on when I opened the door :) - Memories xxx
Oh that’s a nice association to have, pipe tobacco would be mine but I rarely come across it now. My grandma would be ‘Oil of Ulay’. Smell is so powerful as it relates to memory isn’t it?
Men who can fix things are still keepers! It’s definitely a trait I value in a fella - and in myself whenever I manage to😂
Your grandpa looks like a real character! I smiled whe I got to the part about putting tape on the Barbie carrier—my grandpa tried tape on everything when it was broken. That, and he thought that putting lamb fat on his head would make some hair grow in his bald head! That didn’t work either. Sorry you lost your grandpa at such a young age.
He was lovely, a real old school gent, nice fella. He was very good a fixing most things but because it was made of plastic I think it just threw him. Oh well. Funny the little incidents that stay with you and that one always stayed with me. I think I felt quite guilty about my little tantrum.
While reading about your grandfather it made me think of my own. He was also a WWII veteran, but in the South Pacific. He died in May of 1981. He and his mother, my great grandmother, were my world when I was young until they both passed on during that same year. I think I was around 13. I’ve missed them both everyday since. I wish I would have had the chance to ask him about WWII and all the places he traveled to. I’m curious about what his perspective would have been back then. We moved away when I was six so I didn’t get to see my grandparents or great grandmother much after that.
Thanks for reading and glad you could appreciate and relate to it. I bet our grandfathers had some very interesting adventures and perspectives as a result of them. A good grandparent really is one of life’s true blessings, however long we have them for.
Thanks. I wish I had had him around for longer, that said, his illness went on a good few years before he actually died. My dad might have been a bad un but I did have a lovely grandad. My grandma adored him. X
Yes I cringe at my younger self sometimes, pressing him that way. Yes pipe tobacco feels so rare to come across now doesn’t it? Cigarettes will be the smell they are nostalgic for these days cause they are all on vapes now 😂😂
I have tears. My great grandfather on my mom’s side was just such a kind person. I remember he smelled of pipe smoke and always, always had spearmint gum drop, sugared wedges, in the pocket of his old gray sweater to share. Bless you for this memory.
He sounds like an absolute sweetheart , Cori
He was
Oh Julie… 🥺
There’s so many similarities to my own childhood with my Grandparents I’ve got quite teary 🥲
I was a Grandad’s girl and my Daddy’s girl. I miss them both very much, but have some fabulous, cherished memories.
Thank you for sharing 🫶🏻
Aww glad you could relate to it in a good way. A good set of grandparents were a blessing in my life and one I’d wish for every child.
Julie, this warmed my heart. I never knew my grandparents, they lived in Canada. By the time my dad decided to take us on a family trip there, they were already deceased. I’m so happy for you to have such lovely memories of your grandad, so sweet. Thank you for this precious story from your past.
Yes I do have lovely memories and I’m sorry you didn’t experience it too. I bet you heard many stories about your relatives, though. :)
Nothing good😱
Jesus Julie. How do you do it? Every time it's like you pick out threads from my brain.
Your attention to details is amazing. That's so special.
I would say sorry for your loss but these things are inevitable. It's only the manner I can be sorry for. Horrible.
My own grandfather died of sudden thrombosis whilst dressing up as a woman in underwear he had stolen from my grandmother. Alone, at home, in his own room. They covered it up of course. He was a magistrate, leader of some chapter in the masons, local councillor, president of some business leader's committee or some such nonsense. Army Captain. Life long member of the Conservative Party.
He also told stories about hedgehogs who played cricket on the lawn, built model train sets, regaled us with tales of his wartime adventures in India and Germany and France and Egypt and everywhere. He played with us with the toys from his play box from the 1920s.
My grandmother was so relieved when he passed. We never knew the crap he subjected her to. Or the love. Theirs was a difficult relationship to understand. She lasted exactly one year longer, but what a year!
And I know. It's difficult, so so difficult when they leave us. I've always loved the wrinkled , translucent skin of older folk. It's a wrapper that signals a world of history close to loss, ready to be transferred. To live on. Meme birth. Eternal life - the death that gives life. My ancestral relatives live on in my mind and in the minds of my children. And their children.
And yours in you and now in your readers.
How things change eh? Back then he was shamed, these days he’d probably have an influencer account on TikTok!
Nah, I jest but people are complex aren’t they and do we ever really know what goes on both behind closed doors and behind the even more tightly locked doors of someone’s mind. If you have fond memories of him, remember his wonderful stories and can find the good then that’s a worthwhile legacy.
We all have to die of something eh?
My Aunty Edie was murdered with an axe by my cousin so I think he got off quite lightly with cancer, really.
Christ almighty. Your colourful family tree.
Yours too 😂
Aw your Grandad ! x Many echos of my Grandad there, he could also fix anything (not plastic) and had a flat thumbnail. It is the smell of wood that reminds me of him... his shed really. He made me a gate on the side of his garden (I sometimes wonder if it is still there 50 years on!) and a little cupboard in his shed with a light that came on when I opened the door :) - Memories xxx
Oh that’s a nice association to have, pipe tobacco would be mine but I rarely come across it now. My grandma would be ‘Oil of Ulay’. Smell is so powerful as it relates to memory isn’t it?
Men who can fix things are still keepers! It’s definitely a trait I value in a fella - and in myself whenever I manage to😂
I agree men/women who can fix things are very valuable :) My nannie will be aligned with Nivea cream and my mum is Coal Tar Soap!
Your grandpa looks like a real character! I smiled whe I got to the part about putting tape on the Barbie carrier—my grandpa tried tape on everything when it was broken. That, and he thought that putting lamb fat on his head would make some hair grow in his bald head! That didn’t work either. Sorry you lost your grandpa at such a young age.
He was lovely, a real old school gent, nice fella. He was very good a fixing most things but because it was made of plastic I think it just threw him. Oh well. Funny the little incidents that stay with you and that one always stayed with me. I think I felt quite guilty about my little tantrum.
Yes, we all wish we had been nicer at some point, but no going back. I’m glad you have good memories of your grandpa.
Lovely memories.Reminds me of my dad too and my grandad.
Glad you enjoyed it, Sue
Love granddad stories.
Yes, grandads are fab aren’t they? :)
Beautiful story! Thank You for sharing it.
While reading about your grandfather it made me think of my own. He was also a WWII veteran, but in the South Pacific. He died in May of 1981. He and his mother, my great grandmother, were my world when I was young until they both passed on during that same year. I think I was around 13. I’ve missed them both everyday since. I wish I would have had the chance to ask him about WWII and all the places he traveled to. I’m curious about what his perspective would have been back then. We moved away when I was six so I didn’t get to see my grandparents or great grandmother much after that.
Thank Goodness for good memories, huh?😊
Thanks for reading and glad you could appreciate and relate to it. I bet our grandfathers had some very interesting adventures and perspectives as a result of them. A good grandparent really is one of life’s true blessings, however long we have them for.
So beautifully written I almost feel I knew your grandad too. What a lovely remembrance of a very special man. Thank you X
Thanks. I wish I had had him around for longer, that said, his illness went on a good few years before he actually died. My dad might have been a bad un but I did have a lovely grandad. My grandma adored him. X
Great story,Julie l shed a tear because good people are not forgotten . They matter and you carry them in your heart.Thanks Julie 😊 xxx.
Yes so did I as I wrote it. He was a good man. I wish we’d had more time together but at least we had the time we had. I’m grateful for it.
That's so lovely Julie ❤️
Thank you. Made me cry thinking about him
I bet. It's that unconditional, nice sort of love. The kind that makes you feel safe
Really? Glad you had a diamond too:)
Yes I cringe at my younger self sometimes, pressing him that way. Yes pipe tobacco feels so rare to come across now doesn’t it? Cigarettes will be the smell they are nostalgic for these days cause they are all on vapes now 😂😂