Growing OLD – seems only yesterday I was sitting on my grandma’s lap on the front porch –

in a little town in NWPA!

I was watching a neighborhood boy – he was in first grade –

and he was walking to school!

“Grandma – when will I be OLD enough to go to school”?

Now – looking back to that memory – I still can see him walking –

and me sitting in her lap –

I would recommend this to be some 71 years ago!

I was four years old.

That is my first memory of my grandma.

She was my mother’s mother

and she came to live with us.
Mike was either not born yet or was a newborn.

Her bedroom was at the top of the stairs –

straight ahead to the side of the house.

Later – this would become my younger brother and my room –

we slept in the same bed until my brother went away to college.

She had this picture of Jesus on the wall –

I still see it in my mind – she was Catholic –

Her mother was Pa. Dutch – but her husband was Irish Catholic.

He passed before I was born –

but I have his name for my middle name – DAVID!

He was a big man – 6’3″ – they had 11 kids.

My mom was second from the youngest.

During the Depression –

he would walk to neighbor’s houses

with produce from the farm to help

them out –

sacks of flour – whatever he could spare.

A KIND AND GENEROUS MAN WAS HE!

One day he was hoisting a hog up to the rafters in the barn –

he had a heart attack and passed away.

Leaving my grandma with all these kids – the older ones were gone –

the oldest – ROY –

had served in WWI.

I wish I had more early memories of my grandma.

She passed away at 85 years old.

I was around 10 years old and she had moved to my aunt Alice’s house.

My younger brother and I became too much for her!

It was like oil and water or a cat and dog with us.

If I could go back in time to make changes –

I would change this – he died way too young.

Now – I am older – a SENIOR in the twilight of life.

I have seen many storms –

I never had to serve in the military –

for various medical and child reasons.

But – I did start working at 16 years old

and continued straight for 48 1/2 years –

47 1/2 of those years for American Olean Tile Co. / Dal Tile Co.

When I retired – we had become part of MOHAWK.

I went through FIVE mergers – National Gypsum – Private – Dal-Tile – Armstrong and Mohawk.

Today we live on the border of N.C. and S.C. – living in the dream life we always wanted.

I think back to that day on North Main Street in little Eldred, Pa.

Sitting with my grandma –

wishing I could once again talk to her.

If only I could remember more –

but I have these memories as I pass into the night of being OLD – OLDER – SENIOR!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD: my site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog