Summer Vacations Meant Trips to Granny's [Memories!]
Alfonso EscalanteSummer holidays or school vacations usually included trips to my grandparents on Dad's side of the family. It meant ample playtime and bathing in the early summer rain (during April and May). While my Dad was strict and would reprimand us, my granny would say, "Let them be, you did such things when you were a kid and you were okay..." She was a big woman yet spoke softly and usually paused between words.
Then she would spoil us, heating the water so we could bathe (they didn't have a shower set before so we used a pail or large basin and dipper). Well, at least they had a bathroom so we didn't bathe outside where neighbors could watch, lol!
Sudip PaulAfter that, she would invite us to the table for anything she had prepared - my favorite was the sweet potatoes soaked in brown sugar syrup. We used to have them with roasted rice tea. They were a treat back then and still are today (I'm craving some while writing this, it's been so long since I last had something similar).
Sometimes, we would spend late afternoons roasting sweet potatoes by burying them under charcoals in their fire pit. Hmmm... I could smell the aroma of burning potato skin. It was fun!
On Sundays, they would take us along with her to mass. They were a devoted Protestant. My elder sisters (4 & 5 years my senior) with other cousins often sneak out to adventure in the nearby spots. I on the other hand could not go anywhere because being the youngest in the brood, I always sat beside (between) my grandparents and liked it. I even attended Vacation Bible School (VBS) in their church during my elementary years.
Grandpa was a quiet man (also soft-spoken) and rarely stayed at home on weekdays. He was always going out like he had an office job or something. I remember him as a neat person, always in his denim wear (jacket and jeans) with either white or black Converse shoes (it was his signature look).
They both have an unorthodox way of teaching us. When we want to do things they would say "Go ahead if you truly want to" and when something goes wrong, they'd ask us what we learned from it. I don't remember hearing from them any words like "No that's wrong... that's bad" or similar things.
Cotton Studio"Would you like to pull out some of my white hair?" Grandma would query. They would not command us to do things. Instead, they ask first (more like a request). Of course, we rarely refused. They are sweet and caring my sisters and I loved visiting and sleeping in even when it wasn't summer. We would go to them on weekends. That's also because my eldest sister had a crush on someone in my granny's neighborhood, lol!
But yes, we had wonderful moments with them. Growing up, I always thought Dad was fortunate to have them as parents because they looked and acted cool and I never heard them raise their voice even when they were angry. I'd like to think they greatly influenced my eldest sister's parenting style.
While I would exchange anything to experience those times again, it is simply impossible. I can only do so by revisiting the memories we had back then. Both my grandpa and grandma passed away when I was in the uni (1997 and '99). Losing them was one of the saddest moments in my lifetime. They were the best grandparents in the truest sense and we were so fortunate to have created memories with them over those summer years.
This is my approach to today's topic in the JuneInLeo initiative. I invite you to check it out and share your story too :)
Photos are sourced as acknowledged. No copyright infringement intended. 10062024/21:05ph
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STOPAfter reading your post it memorizing me about my childhood days. I am going to start writing about the topic now.
Awesome! Will be reading yours. It's nice to reminisce those memories of yesteryears.
!PIZZA
Hehe. You have read it already😅
Aww
Remembering your childhood days is fun and makes you remember you grandparents
It’s a cool one though and I’m sure you enjoyed the Sunday mass maybe because grandma always buy you something😁😁
It was a wonderful trip down the memory lane. And yes, I enjoyed the company of my grandma in the church because of the treats haha. !LADY
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In my childhood, I've same concept for vocations. Sumer vocations means call to grandparents house. Wow! You have spent good time with your grandparents. They are indeed a guiding torch for all of us. They taught us with their experience. Sorry to hear about their loss.
It seems to be a common practice in most places to visit and stay with our grandparents on school holidays. I bet you enjoyed your experiences with yours too.
I still remember it well. During the summer holidays, we used to visit our grandmother’s house, where there was a swing that was a favorite for all us cousins. It was an amazing time. Even now, whenever I sit quietly, I think about those moments. I wish those days could come back.
It feels nostalgic to remember those years. It must have been so much fun for you and your cousins.
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Hi dearest FG, wow your childhood memories are so heartwarming to me dear. Visiting your grandmother's house must have been so cool, especially with cousins around. It's amazing how those old memories stay with us.
Those were the days we only wish we could experience all over again :)
!LUV
You're absolutely right on that dearest FG ❤️💯 !PIZZA
Wow, this really makes me to remember those day when I was young. My grandma is still but my grandpa is no I really miss him a lot.
Sorry to hear about your grandpa. Continue creating memories and enjoying the moments with your grandma ❤️
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Memories of the childhood days is only interesting when we lived with parents who allowed us have fun. For those of us who used to wake up in the farms with lots of work, we even looked for opportunity to escape 🤣🤣🤣
Wow!
This also reminds me of how my grandmother used to roast yams, cocoyams and plantains with charcoals for me and my siblings..... I really missed those memories.