Today is the 124th anniversary of the birth of my Grandma Stevens, my mother's mom. She is shown here in front of her house in Inglewood, the house we visited often when I was a child. She is holding my cousin Chaz, who also lived in Inglewood. Whenever you mentioned that Alice's birthday was just one day after hers, she always said "Might as well have been week later - missing is missing!"
I was decidedly envious of her front porch. We had no front porch on the little house, and not much of one on the big house, and Alice and I were envious of all large front porches - I've actually never had one in the years since - but continue to pine for one!
We thought a large front porch made the perfect playhouse site!
This is actually how I remember my grandma most. Interestingly, as my own mother aged, she looked more and more like my Grandma Stevens - no surprise - but my grandma always wore fancy glasses, she had pierced ears, and she wore lots of jewelry. I always thought her jewelry was real. In later years, when my mom gave me an ice cream bucket full of old jewelry of my grandma's - which I used to make a jeweled Christmas tree - I discovered that the pearls, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies that I had long-admired were all fake! But I still loved her - and loved thinking she was the Queen of Sheba!
I know my grandparents were critical of my parents having so many children. They would often tell them that if they didn't pay tithing they'd be able to live better. They were critical of their LDS church membership too. But they came often to visit, and we were always welcome at their house. We had sleepovers there aplenty, and I thought their little Inglewood cottage was a treasure trove of mystery and adventure. She also fed us white bread and other cereals besides Cheerios and Wheaties!
My grandparents had separate bedrooms - which was intriguing to me. When we spent the night in the guest room, the windows were always open - my grandmother insisted on sleeping with windows open - for everyone! And the neighbors - who were only a few feet away - listened to radio mysteries - but Alice and I cowered in fear thinking there really were criminals plotting crimes nearby!
We never had coats to wear - winter is not that severe in California - but my grandmother always knitted us thick cable sweaters with horn buttons. It's a shame that we haven't kept any of them - I suspect they all got worn out!
I think she liked to bargain hunt, because she often came out to see us with bags of clothes she'd gotten on sale. We were not at all picky and loved everything she found! I recall a yellow corduroy jacket that I wore till it fell apart - one of her bargain finds.
She brought us dolls and toys and birthday gifts too. When you are one of 12, having someone pay extra attention to you is a joy indeed!
Before she lost the ability to knit and crochet - because of her severe arthritis - she made afghans for everyone. I know I treasure the one I have. She also crocheted a blessing dress for Bonny that has been worn by many. And she crocheted my blessing dress which my mom found when Eliza was born. That dress has been worn often too.
After my grandpa died of lung cancer, my grandma quit smoking cold turkey and got active in the church. She became a temple worker and loved it. She was with me in the temple when we got married, and I can still remember her taking me around to introduce me to her friends there. She was so pleased - and I can still feel her love today when I recall that time.
Grandmothering is the joy of my life - I love my kids and I love being a mom. But being a grandma is a special blessing. I am so grateful to have had a loving grandma myself, and want to pay tribute to her for her love and attention to all of us.
