Things My Grandma Taught Me

To Grandma Sieber, with love.

Things my grandma taught me:

• Hospitality - "Are you hungry? Here, let me fry you up a pork chop."
• Generosity - "Come down to the cellar and you can collect the pennies from all the pocket change left on the table." My Bugs Bunny bank held a lot of those pennies!
• A love of animals, including how to talk to cats (and dogs) - Grandma once had a black-and-white cat named Blackfoot, whom she adored. He adored her right back. I marvelled at how he would flop down on his back and writhe around happily at her feet while she cooed at him, telling him what a good kitty he was. To me, he was a snob:  hissing merely because I wanted to pet him. (How dare he?! I was totally innocent!) Haha. Incidentally, I still talk to cats and dogs the way I saw her do it and it drives my husband nuts. He'll leave the room if I start up. 😄
• The importance of quality time - Before I knew what "quality time" was, I knew that my relationship with my grandma was a special one. Although some of my best memories are at my other grandma's house (thanks to cousins), Grandma Sieber was my favorite grandparent hands down. She spent a lot of one-on-one time with me. She taught me how to play cards, how to shuffle (an important life skill, as I once tried to convince my reluctant daughter), how to play Chinese Checkers, how to bake bread with its many steps: kneading, punching the dough down after it rose... Those were wonderful years when I had grandma all to myself. ❤ (EDIT: I don't mean for this to come across as bragging. As an only child of a mentally ill mom, I grew up spending so much time by myself, that it meant that much more to me that Grandma was willing to spend time with me. My mom was often in her own little world. Case in point: one day she was tending to her flower garden and ignoring my attempts to get her attention. Apparently, I decided to run over her 'precious' annuals with my bike. The neighbor, who recounted this story to me years later, watched in sadness as my mom continued to ignore me and forlornly tried to put her flowers back together. I understand it now, and even feel compassion for her, but back then, well - let's just say that her lack of attention to me was difficult in many ways.)<3 li="">
• The importance of a sense of humor - We often enjoyed making each other laugh. We could joke around over the phone for 30 minutes without really saying anything at all. Silly phrases like, "Dad burn it anyhow," "He doesn't know sick-'em," "Have I reached the party to whom I'm speaking?" and "See you in the funnies!" It didn't make sense to anyone but us. As an adult, I also talk to my daughter in our own special lingo, which (surprise!) drives Shane nuts, so we're stealthy about it. 😏
• How to laugh with your whole face - I loved it when she'd throw her head back and guffaw. Once, in the 1970's, my dad took a well-timed picture of her doing that. It's one of my favorite pictures ever.
• How to use nicknames as terms of endearment - Hers for me was, "Cinny Linnie;" mine for her was "Grandma Linnie." (Naturally!) Once again, I have continued this tradition with my children and my pets. Isaac is "I-Zee", Allie is "Sweets", and Raelyn the dog is "Rae-Nut."
• How to make birthdays special - Grandma made a three-layer white cake with butterscotch pudding in between, covered with seven-minute frosting. It was a sight to behold and heaven to eat. She made one for everyone's birthdays. I didn't realize the amount of work involved until I grew up and moved away. I missed her cakes so much, I decided to make them myself. I quickly gained a new appreciation for her and the time it took to make just one cake with all of its assembled parts.
• A love of family - Grandma loved all of us. After my mother's schizophrenia became profound, causing her to denounce Grandma and Grandad, Grandma once told me that she and Grandad would welcome her back with open arms, no questions asked.
• The importance of healthy habits - At the breakfast table one morning, I watched Grandma lay a paper towel on the table in front of Grandad, then one-by-one, she placed several vitamins on it. Aghast, I asked, "Is that all Grandad gets for breakfast??" I was relieved when she brought out a box of Frosted Flakes.
• The importance of staying physically active - She enjoyed cooking and baking for loved ones and farmhands, vegetable gardening and flower gardening, playing bridge, and a great many other things. She wasn't one to sit on her hands. Her longevity speaks for itself.
• How to get little ones to sleep - Once in a while, I would stay the night at Grandma and Grandad's house. As I settled in for the night, she tucked me in - starting at my toes, working her way up my wiggly legs and arms as we both giggled. Then, she soothingly crooned, "Seepy-seepy-seep.... Seepy-seepy-seep..."  I used that a good many times over the years with my own kids and with kids in my care. My friends called me "The Baby Whisperer" because of it. I was proud to say, "I learned it from my grandma, who learned it from her mother."

Grandma, if you ever get a chance to read this, I just want to thank you for your investment in me when I was young. As you can see, I have relied on your example on multiple occasions, as you no doubt relied on your mother's and your aunts' examples. Someday, my children will rely on my example. All this excellence has stayed in the family and will continue on through generations. We are strong women who come from strong women.

I love you, Grandma Linnie. Yours, Cinny Linnie<3 div="">