Sunday, October 21, 2012

My North Dakota grandson

On my sidebar, I state that all my kids and grandkids live in Minnesota. There is one notable exception, however. My grandson, Aaron managed to slip across the border and marry a sweet, small town gal from North Dakota named Jaime.

For their second anniversary, they took the long trip from the far side of ND to the Twin Cities for a vacation. Included in their itinerary was a nostalgic trip with grandma to Snuffy's Malt Shop. When Aaron was a kid, I used to take him and his two younger brothers there--actually, I took all my grandkids there whenever I had the chance!

Since Jaime has never been to the Twin Cities before, they're doing a lot of tourist stuff like the Mall of America, "Beauty and the Beast" production at the Orpheum Theater, a Smashing Pumpkins concert, Bubba Gump restaurant, general sight-seeing.


I told Aaron that I had a picture of him as a toddler standing next to my dad in his chair shortly before he died in 1986. Dad suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and spent his days sitting in that chair. Little Aaron had rested his hand on the arm of the chair next to Dad's. Dad reached over and patted Aaron's hand three times. The little boy responded by patting Dad's hand three times. My Dad, as we say, got a big bang out of that.

Aaron then told me how he mostly remembered Dad's pool table in the basement and the big tapestry on the wall with the dogs playing pool. He really loved to look at it.

I was delighted to tell him that after the estate sale years ago, nobody wanted the tapestry so we just rolled it up and I stored it on my closet shelf.  We pulled it down and unrolled it for him. He is really tickled to have it since it's kind of an heirloom and he has the perfect place for it. I was so happy to give it to him!

(Great art, it's not!)

I'm going to have to keep looking for the picture of the sweet little boy who made a sick grandpa smile.

16 comments:

The Odd Essay said...

What a great post! I'm amazed that you still had that wall hanging after all these years... what a great gift to your Grandson. Sure looks like you're still showing your grandkids to a wonderful time.

Joanne Noragon said...

it's great art because it swells the heart. So pleased you found it and Aaron has it.

Sparrow chic said...

I remember the times in the basement watching "the men" play pool. Once in a while they even let us kids play !!
So glad Aaron got the tapestry. The memories of Grandpa and Grandma are abundant for us all. And you carry on the tradition in fine grand style !!!!
Three cheers for Snuffy's too !!

Knatolee said...

I love that story! So perfect that your grandson got the tapestry. :)

Buttercup said...

What a cute couple. I am sure that they had a great visit. Looking forward to the picture of Aaron and your father.

P.S. I got on a popcorn bandwagon, too, and had a treat tonight.

The Owl Wood said...

Great to meet up with the (nice) rellies - most of mine won't be released for another twenty years or so unless new evidence comes to light.

I LOVE that wall-hanging! As Joanne says, tis indeed "art" because it's fun and colourful and gave me a giggle.

It feels odd to think about how, as you store people in your memory, you too are being stored in theirs ...

Linda said...

A beautiful and heartwarming post.

Moving with Mitchell said...

This sweet little story made ME smile!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Sounds like the perfect gift and it may not be great art but I'm sure it makes everyone smile when they look at it!

Jenny said...

That story of your Dad and Grandson made my eyes tear up.

What comfort and joy children give us.

I love that form of inmortality...memories of loved ones.

Beautiful, beautiful post.

Gill - That British Woman said...

popped by from Jane's to say hello.

Gill in Canada

Linda Starr said...

That tapestry is a classic and wonderful and the trip to the malt shop just perfect.

Pearl said...

What wonderful memories. And I can only picture that tapestry in the new place!

Pearl

andiepants said...

Great story and photos! Sounds like your grandson and his wife had a great time in the Twin Cities!

troutbirder said...

Nice story. We learned a lot about North Dakota as our youngest son attened NDSU in Fargo and eventually married a girl from Bismarck...:)

Jen said...

What a lovely post! sorry I've been away for so long. School is a bit quieter this term..I'm hoping it continues to be kind.

I love the dog poster! For some reason, those dogs playing pool or poker always make me smile.

Cheers!
Jen