Great Grandma Andersen 1929-2011

This past Sunday 10/2 my Grandmother, Kayla's Great Grandmother passed away.
I have spent the last week reflecting upon; my Grandmother's impact to my life, remembering fun times and unfortunately following the traditions of saying good-bye.
I find that when reflecting on a person's life you usually start at the beginning. The very first memory that came to my mind was.. Possibly the first day that I was alone with my Grandparents. I was maybe 4 years old. My Grandpa picked up some lobsters and I proceeded to show them how to get ALL the meat out of the claws by "goosing it"... Laughter broke out and at that moment I had new Grandparents.

Gram and I used to say "cut the bologna"or "cut the cheese" I honestly have no connection to why or what this referenced. Or where we even got the saying but I remember my Grandma and I just looking at each other and repeating those words over and over... we would laugh and laugh and that is all that really matters. Going to Wallon Park... Each year my grandparents would take me to Wallon and I would ride every ride and scare the daylights out of Gram when I wanted to go on the roller coaster and Grandpa took me despite Gram's objection. My favorite ride was the cars. I LOVED the cars and I would go on the ride over and over again. So much so I had the course memorized.

The memories of Wallon Park are always followed by a subsequent memory of being at Tom Mccans. Grandma and Grandpa were buying me shoes. Grandpa used to always say I bet you could run fast in those shoes and I would run up all around the store to prove just how fast I could run. The time I worked every angle to get Gram to tell me the boots in the back of the car were for me.. they sure were to small for Lenna. :0) 11 pairs of Jelly shoes...I had every color.. [A] has not gotten over it to this day My love of SHOES...Gram started it the woman had SHOES! I could never play with the dolls but I sure could wear any and all the shoes she owned!

Watching Shirley Temple movies together

Summer vacations to the Cape... Beach time during the day, Fireworks and ice cream every night. I was obsessed with the outside shower. I thought it was the best thing ever! However, I also liked to sing in the shower and my Gram could hear me singing from the middle of town. She laughed and laughed and laughed....Needless to say I no longer sing in the shower.

Beating Gram at Skipbo... She used to dis-own the grandchildren when we beat her.

I had a knack of embarrassing my Grandma...
The time I kicked Uncle Russell... I was 4 maybe 5
The time I told off the fat lady at Ceramics... twice.. I never went to Ceramics again.
The time I want to Church with Barbie Makeup on.... Blue Eye shadow and bright pink cheeks. :0) I will always check Kayla's face before leaving the house!
Watching the Golden Girls together on the couch in the Den. I used to watch re-runs late at night when I was in college and think of those times and feel closer to Gram. :0)

Gram teaching me the ally cat in the kitchen before my first school dance.. Just in case.

Gram meeting Miss Kayla and being a part of her Baptism. Who would have thought Gram, all those years ago when you took me to church that you would have inspired me to convert. I guess it was worth it even if I went with Barbie makeup on.

Thanks for being my Gram :)

In Loveing Memory.. Your Grandaughter