Memorial Day always makes me think of Mutti. Mutti was my mom's mom. She claimed each birthday that she was turning 26, and was never referred to as "Grandma." It was always Mutti to everyone around her.
Some of my earliest memories are of going to the East Lawn cemetary to visit my Grandpa's grave with Mutti and other family members. This Monday when I go to East Lawn, I'll be visiting my Mutti's grave as well. She's been dead nearly a decade and my memories are stating to fade a little. But I still remember her home phone number. I remember watching Jeopardy on the tiny TV in her kitchen and the weird footstool in her basement that was stuffed with nylons. Kinda creepy. I remember the figurine of a Chinese man fishing that sat on her piano. I remember her always perfectly manicured hands. I remember the Eagle Scout wall with pictures of all her grandsons who had received their Eagles. I remember her beautiful garden and the many flag inspired sweaters she owned. I remember learning how to make apple pie with her, and even though I hate making pie, I'm glad I have that memory. They are all great, happy memories, but I'd trade them all for a chance to see her again. I think she would've loved to do Sudoku puzzles with me. And she would've helped me decorate my house. She would still cook my mom's favorite birthday dinner of salmon loaf and scalloped potatoes while the rest of us avoided it as much as we could. She'd play Rook with us, make homemade chocolates, and continue writing poems. And she'd be so happy to see all of her amazing posterity.
I'm pretty sure she's busy up in Heaven directing choirs and insisting that every member have their music memorized. But I hope she knows how much her family loves and misses her.
21 comments:
I believe that's where my husband's grandparents are buried. I'm sure they are all together, having a great time.
That's really sweet. I love learning about my own family history and reading about others!
That was a sweet tribute!
What a fun name. I wish I would have figured out a cute name to be called...grandma sounds so grandma"ish".
There is never a memorial day that passes that I don't think of my mom's mom. I sure miss that lady.
Awe Mutti sounds great! I love having memories of great women that I can remember and look to for guidance!
I think there is probably one stinkin' huge Rook game going on in heaven... my Grandpa is probably right now questioning why someone played that last card :)
thanks for the happy thoughts!
I;m sure she knows of your families love for her. I'd bet anything that she looks in on you from time to time.
When my daughter was a baby she used to look up into a corner of the cieling in the living room and laugh and coo. My wife and I are convinced that my dad was there playing with his grandchild.
Your Mutti sounds awesome! What a great tribute of such great memories!
Lovely memories. I love that you have such a deep love for her and so many good memories as well as some less pleasant ones (salmon loaf and nylon stuffed footstool) which all combine to be HER to you. I bet in heaven they have a Memorial Day, too, and think about those they've left behind.
Barb, that was a beautiful tribute to an amazing sounding woman. Thank you for sharing a part of her with us.
You make me wish I had known my own grandparents better. And in my opinion, any woman who can whip up a salmon loaf is a lady to keep your eye on.
Barbara this is such a sweet post. Your summary of Mutti is absolutely perfect. I'm afraid I'm starting to lose my memories of her too.
I think I still remember her number, is it 375-4041? I remember going with her to visit Granny and every time I'd try Marzipan and every time I'd hate it. Still do as a matter of fact. Sometimes she'd do my hair, complete with ribbons, because I'd go over to her house looking horrible. I remember having picnics in her backyard complete with carrot sticks and triangle sandwiches. And afterwards she'd push Jessie and me on the swings and sing a song.
Thanks again for bringing back so many great memories!
I had a great grandma who didn't like to be called granny because it made her feel too old. She she said we should call her "GG" for great-grandma. As soon as we called her that, she was so confused and kept asking "Who's GG?" I don't know why we didn't think to call her Mutti. She sounds great!
I was missing Mutti too yesterday. I liked reading your post and remembering things about her. Her hands were always beautiful, and I loved how she was always singing or humming. How lucky we were to grow up so close to her!
Thank you Barbara for bringing back so many wonderful memories about Mutti. I wish we had been close enough to visit the cemetery with you. Aren't we lucky to have had such a grandmother (I mean, a Mutti)? :)
That stool was stuffed with nylons?! I was thinking of her, too. In fact, I showed our family slide show from the reunion to our primary and talked about why we celebrate Memorial Day. I hope she liked it. I also remember loving the barn that mooed when you opened the doors, and, of course, the infamous chicken basket (did you know that was supposed to be my mom's, but then your mom said Jonny loved it, so she gave it to him? Blast!!!)
I looooooove that name for "grandma", so original and cute!
I love Kristina's comment. I always think of life after this as a big toga party with occasional breaks to peek in on the earthlings.
Your Mutti sounds like just the kind of grandma I hope to be someday. Salmon loaf and scalloped potatoes? The things we'll do for our kiddos.
Speaking of creepy nylons. Adorable Hubbies grandma would cut old nylons into rubber bands. Every package we got from her would have at least two of them on it. Creepers!
I love your posts about people!
I love that she went by Mutti! Just like my great grandparents. They were known as Marta and Daddy Clyde to all of us.
She sounds awesome and it was a great idea to get some of your memories down in a post, where you will never forget them.
Playing ROOK ---My favorite game. I always used to play it with my grandparents too. Boy did we have some "hot" rook games.
and of course my grandma was always baking apple pie --and we'd eat it warm with cream poured on it.
wowza
Those are sweet memories. I think everyone needs a "Mutti" in their lives. It makes me want to be that kind of person myself so others will someday think of me that way.
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