Grandma's House

I've mentioned a couple of times that my great-grandmother's house has been sold and how sad this is for me. The sale for the house actually closes today. It's no longer my grandparents house, I can no longer go visit. 

While I understand this is a fact of life...people move, sell and buy houses all the time...it is still hard for me. I have 30 years of memories in that house. I've been blessed to have had my great-grandparents be part of my life. My grandfather died when I was 13 and my grandmother is still alive.With the selling of this house, I feel like I'm loosing this piece of me, of my life. I know I will have my memories...but is that enough?

I watched my grandfather make wine in the garage. I can't even count how many times I walked up the steps, rang the bell,watched my grandmother look out the window to see who it was and see her face light up when she realized it was me (or any family member for that matter). My brother, cousins and I used to sit on the ledge of the porch...if no adults were around, because we weren't really allowed to do it.

This was taken the last time I was inside the house, the same day as the garage sale.

This is a part of the basement...I love that carpet. So vintage and my favourite colour. I love the half wall. To the right, is the record player/radio...it still worked! We spent so much time in this basement. This is where we would play. That kitchen is where my grandmother showed me how to make sauce. This is where my great grandparents, parents and grandmother would make salami and capicola...I would "help". 

Most importantly, this is where a lot of our family meals would happen. There was a big table that would be set up and we could all fit around it. It was always special because it meant my out of town cousins were visiting. There was lunch when my cousin came from Australia, there was a meal that I met my cousin's fiancee and saw her ring, there were birthday parties.There was my great grandfather's wake. 

My most memorable meal in this basement was the Easter after my great-grandfather died. It was the first time my entire family- my great grandmother, three daughters, two son-in-laws, 9 grandchildren and their spouses and 18 great grandchildren- had been together since he died. Everyone made a point to be there. After our meal, we all went upstairs to the living room where the great-grandchildren had a group picture with grandma. It was so chaotic to...18 of us ranging is age from 14 to a couple of months. 

I have a copy of that picture. My grandmother had a copy too...it was displayed in her living room. 

Just ignore my finger...I couldn't keep it out of the picture

A week or so ago, I went to my grandparents house for the very last time. I didn't have a key, so I couldn't go in but I spent time in the backyard. I spent a lot of time in the backyard. To the left is a sunroom. I remember watching it be built; This is another place that we spent a lot of time, playing or having meals. We spent countless hours playing in the backyard. I would jump rope and ride my tricycle. 

To the right is a shed...it was like a little house to me. The concrete in front is actually quite steep, and we would run up and down it, roll balls.marbles, etc up the ramp. We were fascinated with this...no other house that we knew of had a ramp. We would run around the shed, there was a path between it and the fence and behind the shed my grandfather had laid patio stones. 

We were not allowed in the garden...but every once and awhile, we would still run through it, between the plants, all the vegetables my grandparents grew. You can't really tell, but at the back fence are grapevines...we would sneak back there and pick grapes to eat. 

I had an amazing childhood, filled with time spent with my grandparents, at this house. 

As sad as I am with the selling of this house...I was in tears the last time I was there, but was reminded of a lot of happy times. 

I'm terrified of my memories fading. With my grandfather gone and my grandmother aging...I'm trying to hold on, even though I know you sometimes have to let things go. 

What will never fade, what will never change, is the love I have for my grandparents. That exists regardless of where they call home.