The Early Years

(My Grammy and my Mom)

All in all, I had a pretty great life growing up.

My mom bent over backwards doing for me. Although I never got to join any sports or do any extra activities because of money, I don’t think I had it too bad.

We had the ups and downs I imagine a lot families had. My mother suffered from depression so the days when she was adjusting to different medication was taxing to say the least, but that isn’t what this blog is about

We use to read bedtime stories before bed when I was little. Then when I began to read, I would read them to her. To this day I still love to read.

She always bought these huge oversized towels. In the winter when it was really cold, she would put mine in the dryer till I was done in the bath, then go grab it and wrap me up in it on her lap. She would finish by telling me a funny story or singing to me. My favorite was always “You are my sunshine”

We use to color together, paint things, craft things. Christmas was always my favorite. She always had fun crafts to do like wreaths, ornaments, and stuffed things. Our tree was a massive over-decorated beacon of light. We had a fake tree and my mother would individually wrap each branch with a strand of lights. By the time she was done we could have probably lit the neighborhood with that tree, but damn it was pretty. Our cat loved it too. Along with all of the other decorations we would put up. Our house was a throw up of knick-knacks, wall hangings, lights, garland, and whatever else my mother could find to decorate.

And the baking! So many cookies and breads I don’t know how we ate them all. Our favorite was always pizzelle’s. I would always eat the batter and get yelled at. My grandmother would come out and she would always leave with a ‘goodie’ bag. On most of the holidays we would travel out to my Aunt’s house since she lived right by my grandmother and we would have holiday dinner. I miss seeing the look of happiness that mom had then.

Family always meant a lot to mom. After my uncle died in 96 it put a big strain on my family. He was the youngest out of the three and my mom the oldest. It took a toll on my grandmother too. Uncle Boo was her favorite. I remember a little about him but not a lot. I was too young and he wasn’t around much. He lived in Florida for a long time and I use to think he was an alligator wrestler (although far from the truth. He actually ran heavy machinery, which was ultimately what killed him). I wish I could have known him better. He was there for my mom when I was born (when no one else in the family was) and they were pretty close.

I don’t remember my pap being around much when I was younger. I remember him coming around a lot more a few years after my uncle died (My pap and grandmother split years ago and never talk. I think my grandmother dislikes him. A lot). From what my mom told me about Pap, he wasn’t much of a husband or much of a father when my mom was growing up either. He liked to drink. I don’t know why my grandmother left him. I’ll have to ask her one day. My mom was the only one of them that still talked to him. He had a lot of wild stories to tell.

I think that’s enough for today.