Tuesday, April 8, 2014

G is for Grandma Woehr


I had AMAZING grandparents and I was blessed to live in the same small town with both sets of grandparents. I haven't met many people over the years who grew up in that circumstance with all their grandparents so close. Needless to say, my grandparents played an integral role in my life. Especially my Grandmother Woehr, who was a tireless example of love, selflessness, and service to others.

I have so many wonderful memories of my grandmother, this little stooped over woman with a white bun and blazing personality. She was the one who sat by my side while I learned to play the piano. She would come over every day and sit beside me while I practiced my piano pieces. And she was strict! She made sure I did it correctly and didn't quit until I had it right. Eventually, I moved past the point where she could help me, but looking back, I realize the sacrifice she gave of her time to help me become a better piano player.

Another favorite memory was the way Grandma Woehr referred to her friends who weren't as "lively" as she was. She called them "old ladies." She was always telling me how she took homemade bread to her "old lady" friend, or how she took one of the "old ladies" to her doctor's appointment. Her words gave me a good chuckle because she didn't seem to think she needed to include herself in that description. Heaven's no! She wasn't old even if she was almost ninety years old herself!

My grandmother made the best bread in the world. Seriously, I have never tasted bread as good since. And unfortunately for me, she hoarded the recipe and never shared it with any of her granddaughters adamantly saying that her bread was too much work to make. I really think she just wanted all the bragging rights.

The crazy thing is that I don't think I truly appreciated the woman she was until I was older and it was too late to tell her all the things I loved and admired about her. I'm sure she knows now, and hopefully she's looking down with a smile, proud of the woman I've become.


12 comments:

  1. LOL at how she'd call her friends "old ladies." Your grandma sounds like quite a character. Glad she was able to be a part of your life so much growing up!

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  2. "Old ladies"! :-) I know quite a few people who talk of their contemporaries in a similar manner, but none so bluntly! One elderly gentleman had explained it very nicely as being 'young at heart'.

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  3. She sounds like a wonderful lady. I wish I'd gotten to know my own grandmother that well. She died when I was in my early 20s, but she always lived 8 hours away, so I only saw her during summer vacations as a child.

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  4. It's so easy to take them for granted while they're around. I love her spunk! Grandmothers are amazing.

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  5. A wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Homemade bread baking is becoming a lost art, I tell you. :)

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  6. Such a nice post! I was fortunate to grow up with my paternal grandparents living right upstairs and my maternal grandparents about a half an hour away. I was also named after both grandmothers. :)

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
    Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
    The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge

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  7. I bet she is proud!
    My parents complain about old drivers all the time. Not a chance I'm pointing out the obvious to them.

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  8. She sounds like so much fun. Yeah, she was never an "old lady".

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  9. What a wonderful woman! Takes years to form someone so amazing.=) http://bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com/

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  10. What a lovely tribute to a lovely lady! I was lucky enough to live near my grandparents, too, when I was growing up. They are gone now, but I will always cherish the memories of the times we spent together.

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  11. This is such a sweet post! She sounds like an amazing woman (and that's too bad about her bread recipe!). I grew up across the street from my maternal grandparents and it was such a blessing.

    (Also, thanks for commenting on my blog! If you're curious about my books, shoot me an email--I'd love to chat :)

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  12. She sounds lovely, love the old ladies bit, sounds very much like my Grandma who I hope to be seeing this weekend!

    Mars
    Curling Stones for Lego People

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