Our American Girl- July 12, 2010

Maybe I should have written this post Fourth of July weekend but, the inspiration didn’t strike until this weekend. I was with my family in Wilmington, NC. (A pretty little city on the coast and my parents’ hometown. But, good God it’s hot in July there!) We went for my Grandaddy’s 80th birthday party. (My Mom’s Dad)

Grandaddy and Grandma

(Aren’t they cute?!)

It dawned on me this weekend what a wonderful blessing awaits my child. She’ll be born with FIVE great-grandparents still living. I am one of very few people I know with all four of my grandparents in my life. Greyson’s sweet Gramma is in her 90’s and still very independent living up in Connecticut. (His Mom’s Mom)

Greyson’s Gramma in her home in CT, Thanksgiving ’09. She cooked me my first official “Yankee Thanksgiving.” It was so good I didn’t even miss the sweet potatoes of a Thanksgiving in the South.

Grandaddy’s party was fun. We were at my aunt and uncle’s house. I loved seeing my great aunts and cousins I hadn’t seen in a long time. They admired my little round (but growing) belly and fed me inordinate amounts of low-country fare. Everyone wrote fun and sentimental memories about Grandaddy on note cards and I read them aloud.

One was about Grandaddy’s knowledge of our family history and the farm in Southern Virginia where he grew up. He’s full of good tales. He’s a Korean War veteran and was awarded a Bronze Star. He’s been married to my Grandma for 59 years. I got to thinking about how priceless his stories are and how lucky I am to have heard them.

Little did I know the history lessons would continue this weekend. We spent the night with my other grandparents just down the road. As we were talking about the baby, inspiration struck my Papa. (My Dad’s Dad.) He had my Grandma pull out old picture albums. I mean, OLD picture albums. Pictures of relatives dating back to the Civil War.

My other Grandma looking through albums with Papa sitting in his chair. That’s his usual spot.

This is one of my ancestors. The story is, he was a Confederate soldier kidnapped by the Union Army and in prison in NY before walking all the way home to NC after the war. Apparently he was so sick and ragged only the dog recognized him when he came home.

You just don’t see men rocking mustaches like that anymore. I personally like the 1860’s ‘stache.

On the way home Greyson said, “What a unique American history our daughter will have.” He’s right. Greyson’s great-great grandfather was one of the first doctors in the state of Nebraska. His great-grandparents came from England to Ellis Island. With my Southern roots and his New England and Mid-West ancestry she’ll be a neat little red, white, and blue gal.

Baby, I don’t know how long your time will be with your five great grandparents but, take in all their hugs and the history they have to share.

One Response to “Our American Girl- July 12, 2010”

Julie says:

July 23, 2010 at 5:17 pm

What a great taste of home while so far away. I am not sure how much nonrelative readers can appreciate this as much as our family members. We are truly lucky. I loved this post. Miss you.

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