Letters from Grandma

My grandmother was the woman that sent me a birthday card, Valentine's Day card, St. Patrick's Day card, Easter card, Fourth-of-July card, Halloween card and Thanksgiving card every year for as long as I can remember. It was always signed "Grandma and Grandpa" of course, but in grandma's handwriting. Usually there would be a whole dollar in the cards, or a two-dollar bill for birthdays. Grandma always kept in touch.

When I went away to college, I started recieving care packages. There would be an assortment of candy, clothing, stationary and other odds and ends. She is the reigning queen of bargains. It doesn't matter what it is, or where she gets it, she will squeeze every last worth out of every last penny and send you lots of stuff. Some stuff I could use, like sample toothpastes that she got at a rummage sale, or expired bags of M&M's that were just past the expiration date. Other things weren't as useful, like oversized t-shirts from the thrift store she volunteered at in Kentucky. Those things would go to the Salvation Army. However many things I could use or not, I always appreciated the guesture. I knew that it took a lot for her and grandpa to scrape together enough just to send the darn box, let alone fill it. No matter what was in it, just getting the note inside always made me feel special.

Grandma would ask how classes were going, how my love life was going, what the weather was like. I would read the notes and have every intention of replying, but I never did...

...until I had been out of college for over a year. My husband and I would recieve care packages with things in it for the house, things for him, and me individually, as well as things to share. It always amazed me that she would write such wonderful things about my husband in her letters too. My grandma is not quick to dole out compliments or words of encouragement, but he and I found ourselves more than approved by grandma as well as grandpa.

At some point in our second year of marriage, I found myself taking the time to respond to grandma's letters. The care packages had stopped becuase they just couldn't afford them anymore. The first time I wrote to my grandma, she replied like the president himself had written her a letter. She was so extatic that I had repsonded via snail-mail. So, she wrote back the next week and sent an envelope with a stamp and a few pages of stationary in it so that I would be sure to write. So I did. It was fantastic! we've been doing this for over a year now. She sends a letter with a return envelope, and I write back.

I found a way to connect with my grandma. I got to tell her all about our life as we lived it. I got to ask her questions about being married. I even got to hear family news before my mom and dad!

Writing to grandma is something that I can look back on and say, "I was gald I did that" becuase I know that she and grandpa won't be around forever. I won't have to look back and wish that I had got to know them better.

Thanks, Grandma, for sending some love.