The Birthday Card

Hidden in a box of old letters from my Mom, I came across a Birthday Card from my Grandparents.
We called them Nanny Maw and Daddy Paw. I could tell that it was old as both names were on the card. My Granddad passed away when I was still in Junior High.

As I saw their names written on the card in my Grandmothers hand writing, the memories flooded back from my childhood when my Grandparents were there in so many ways and a major part of my life growing up. Living in the same town, we were always there visiting as long as I can remember. They were there to babysit us so many times. So many holidays and birthdays, happy days and sad days were all spent with them.

My Grandmother and I always had a special place in each others hearts. I was the one she always counted on to help her in the yard or the house. I was the only one who she'd let trim the tree branches or paint the fence. She drove me crazy a few times as she would start us on one project, then on to another and another before any of them were finished, but that was Nanny Maw.

When my Grandfather died, I spent every night with her for about a year, helping her and being there for her. Then the time came that she was doing OK and I was getting old enough, I needed a change.

One day after I had graduated from college, I was called to jury duty and when I returned home, I had a phone message from my mom that she was really sick. I stayed to the end of the trial that day, then went to see her in the hospital. It was rough as she was so sick, to the point of hallucinating, but she had moments when she knew I was there and we could share our special love for each other. I was the last to see her before she passed.

So many memories have flooded my head and my heart with so many emotions. My Grandparents were special and their stories and struggles could fill up several chapters in a book. But for now, I have the memories and I feel blessed that I had the honor of calling them My Daddy Paw and Nanny Maw.