Some childhood memories stick with you like gum on a hot sidewalk. Others, like my time with Grandma, are treasures tucked away in the heart, ready to be pulled out and polished whenever nostalgia comes knocking.
Grandma was a storyteller, a card shark (at least when it came to Old Maid), and the woman who somehow made a simple trip to the market feel like an adventure. She lived in Chicago, raised a family there, then moved to Las Vegas, a place I never got the chance to visit before she moved again, this time to Iowa, where she built a new life for herself.
The Old Maid Queen
If you never had the pleasure of being ruthlessly outplayed by your grandmother in a card game, did you even have a childhood? Grandma and I spent hours at her kitchen table playing Old Maid, a game where the goal was to avoid getting stuck with the last unpaired card—the dreaded Old Maid. Somehow, I always ended up holding that smug-looking spinster.
Grandma, of course, played innocent. “Oh, looks like you have her again!” she’d say, feigning surprise while tucking her winning pairs neatly in a pile. I never caught her cheating, but let’s be honest—there’s no way I lost that much without some expert sleight of hand.
The Little Market with Big Memories
Lunch with Grandma wasn’t just about the food, it was about the ritual. We’d go shopping at a small grocery store, where she always picked out what she called Scamorza and lunch meat. To this day, I haven’t been able to find exactly what she used to buy, but the closest thing I’ve come across is the BelGioioso brand of Fresh Mozzarella Snacking Cheese.
There was something about those market trips—the way she knew exactly what she wanted, the way she chatted with the shop owners, the way everything felt warm and familiar. It wasn’t just about feeding the body; it was about feeding the soul.
My Grey Elephant
One of my favorite memories of Grandma took place at the Beaux Arts Fair on Mother’s Day weekend. She and Grandpa were visiting Iowa, and as we wandered through the fair, I found a ceramic grey elephant. Something about it spoke to me, and Grandma must’ve seen that, because before I knew it, it was mine.
I don’t remember every detail of that day, but I remember her presence, her laughter, the way she made simple moments feel special. In 2023, Beaux Arts celebrated 70 years, but for me, the last time I remember going was with her, picking out that elephant, and adding another treasured memory to my collection.
A New Chapter in Iowa
After Grandpa passed, Grandma could’ve let loneliness take over. Instead, she rebuilt her life in Iowa, surrounding herself with family, laughter, and an endless supply of her favorite chocolates and beloved Peeps brand of marshmallow candies. She taught me resilience without ever saying the word. She showed me that life keeps moving forward, even when it feels like the world has shifted beneath your feet.
The Power of Preserving Memories
As a Guided Autobiography (GAB) instructor, I know how easy it is for precious memories to fade if we don’t take the time to write them down. Stories like these—filled with laughter, life lessons, and just the right amount of childhood stubbornness—deserve to be preserved, shared, and cherished.
What are your favorite memories with a grandparent? If you’ve never written them down, now’s the perfect time. Start small—maybe a favorite game, a meal you shared, or a story they always told. Before you know it, you’ll have a treasure trove of memories to pass down, just like Grandma’s unbeatable Old Maid strategy.
Want help bringing your memories to life? Join me for a Guided Autobiography workshop—because every story deserves to be told.
Until next time,
Deb, HDRW
What’s your most cherished memory of a grandparent? Share it in the comments!
“The raven is no mere bird of shadow – it is a keeper of stories, a bearer of wisdom, and a reminder that even in endings, there are always new beginnings.”
