A Grandma From Indiana

People from Indiana, known as Hoosiers, are rather renowned for our hospitality. Most natives of Indiana have a courteous, open, and friendly nature to them, maybe it is something in the water we drink. At an early age we see the example of being helpful and friendly to our neighbors and newcomers. I grew up thinking it was some sort of sin if a person didn't go help a neighbor in need or take a plate of cookies and some iced tea or lemonade to a new neighbor.

So, how does that relate to being a Grandma? Well, in my humble opinion, quite a lot. When you listen to people talk about their favorite Grandma don't they usually expound on the qualities that she had that defines hospitality? Grandmas tend to be loving souls who make you feel that you are the most special person in the world. They are glad you came to visit and they are always there with a helping hand. At least that is the way my Grandma was and it probably didn't have anything to do with her being from Indiana. She adored her grandchildren and let them know it in very special ways. It is the type of Grandma I want to be with my own grandchildren.

Image Credit: Map of Indiana courtesy of Enchanted Learning

Hardly a day goes by that I don't recall at least one of my Grandma's little "pearls" of wisdom. She really was a great role model for me growing up. She was a remarkable woman who made every one of her 11 children and the grandchildren who followed feel special. The picture at the right is from the early 1960s with Grandma and Grandpa in the center and a few of us who came for Sunday Dinner. She, happily, cooked for the whole crowd.

My favorite saying from Grandma was: "Every morning when you look in the mirror, you best be liking that person lookin' back at you." Pretty profound for a simple woman but it is something that I have really tried to live by. My hope as a Grandma is that I can guide them gently with my little pieces of advice as they grow and that they will hear my voice encouraging them even when I no longer walk the earth with them.

I want my grandchildren to be happy with who they are and what they choose to become. I want them to have wonderful memories of coming to Grandma's house and knowing that they were loved unconditionally.

Memories of:

• baking cookies and cupcakes
  
• dancing the jitterbug
  
• my laughter
  
• reading to them
  
• home cooked meals
  
• family history
  
• encouragement
  
• compassion
  

I do not care so much that they remember "things" I gave them but I do hope that they remember the example of living that I shared with them as they grew.

Photo Credit: personal family photograph

Written while sitting at my desk in Indiana, I have shared some other ideas on being a Grandma.

• Grandma Instruction Book Looking for a manual on being a Grandma? There isn't one, but I do have a few tips for you.


• RocketMoms Grandma Club A group of women who are Grandmothers and writers.


• Introducing Grandma Bev The Grandma from Indiana who loves her job!