Grandma & Grandpa Hoops
Grandma Julia would have been 103 today. She liked to drive a luxury car and wear diamonds. She drove her friends that were too old for driver's licenses or who had never learned to drive to their doctor’s appointments, shopping and to church. When I went to see Grandma, like it as not, we would spend part of our day driving someone somewhere.
One afternoon back in the late 60’s or early 70’s, I was sitting in the back seat listening to Grandma and one of her friends visiting. They were discussing the moral decline of TV. Grandma said, “I just don’t know what it’s all coming to. Why, there’s a killing every month on Gunsmoke now. One a month! I just don’t know how long we can continue watching that kind of killing.” Her friend tsk-tsk’ed and shook her head back and forth in agreement. I remember the conversation clearly because I was afraid my folks would wise up to Matt Dillon killing more than he was capturing. If that happened there would be no Matt Dillon bringing men to justice every week, there would be no Miss Kitty, Doc, Festus and his mule or popcorn at our house on Saturday nights. I never told my folks and Gunsmoke played on. Whenever I see an episode of "24" with Jack Bauer and Chloe meting justice, I can't help but wonder what Grandma would say.
Grandma used to take me to the toy department in the basement of King’s to choose something for my birthday. One year I simply could not decide between a Big Wheel and a doll. I stood and stared at one and then walked to the next aisle and stared at the other. Back and forth. Back and forth. She never hurried me. She just walked back and forth with me until I made a choice. Which do you think I chose?
Updated: A doll was what I chose and I named her Judy, after my mom's hairdresser.
12 comments:
I am betting on the big wheel. I can't imagine you sitting still long enough to play dolls. Great post!!
the big wheel
My Grandpa Lee loved to drive. He would drive the youth to activities, he drove for car dealerships after he retired, he would take us kids anywhere we had to get to, he was the driver. He even flew to Colorado to drive a car back for a dealer and drove out of his way to come see me in Idaho. I have many memories of riding in Grandpa's really clean backseat.
A member of our stake presidency did a youth-focused talk all about what his grandmother would think if she were alive to spend a day with him today.
I bet you chose the Big Wheel, too! I am just thinking it seems more cool so it seems more you!
Wow, she's be highly disturbed by the moral decline going on with TV today. We like mystery-type shows, but sometimes it has felt like just too much violence and we've cut out many of them.
I'm guessing you chose the Big Wheel because you liked to drive just like Grandma Julia.
I guessed the Big Wheel, too. Won't we all be in for a shock if it was the doll!
I love King's. Going to the one here is a little slice of home: the scent, the candy aisle and all the randomness!
Doll.
-rachel
I love that you take the time to document these things... the things I think I will always remember but the details fade. Great post.
Mom,
That was the sweetest memory. That is why I love this blog. It pulls things from your brain that I would have no way of knowing how to ask for. Did yout tell all of them HOW much you always loved JUDY?
Cali
I love sitting and talking with my grandparents and hearing them talk about how it was, even 20 years ago.
The thought of your grandma not rushing you while you walked back and forth is a beautiful one. I should use it with my girls more.
I love the image of wondering what your grandmother would think of "24"! Also the image of you, plagued with indecision in the toy store. I've been there.
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