Sunday, August 24, 2008

Birthday Girls

Today is my grandmas’ birthdays. Two years apart, they were born on the same day—although, they could not be more different.

Grandma P. grew up an only child. She was adopted by a wealthy real estate developer and his wife, and lived a privileged life, complete with fancy cars and clothes, a billiard parlor—even a wine cellar in the basement. She married Grandpa after about three weeks (or was it three months…?) of dating and tried for a very long time to have a baby. After two miscarriages and a newborn who passed away after coming home from the hospital, she finally got pregnant with my mom. A few years later, my uncle followed, and Grandma had the nuclear family she had always dreamed of. Always the lady, she wouldn’t leave the house without lipstick and earrings. She was feisty and opinionated, and a lover of tradition and everything beautiful.

Grandma H. grew up with twin brothers, and a mother and father who owned a jewelry shop. I remember her telling me that for Christmas she and her siblings usually got a book or a toy and an orange. The first time she received a paycheck, she used it to buy a watchband-like gold bracelet—which she gave to me when I was in junior high. Unlike Grandma P., she didn’t have to struggle to get pregnant. In fact, she had a shotgun wedding in her twenties after accidentally conceiving my uncle. My dad followed, and Grandma found herself running a household of men—which she did surprisingly well. This could’ve been partly because of her fantastic sense of humor. Grandma H. was known for pulling us kids aside at family gatherings to tell us dirty jokes. She was crass and easy-going, yet sensitive and fragile.

Despite any differences in lifestyles they led and opinions they held, my grandmas were dear, dear friends for over 40 years.

I was fortunate enough to inherit some of the best qualities of each. Grandma P.’s legs, outspoken nature and love of connection and communication. Grandma H.’s unwavering sense of humor, wild streak and easygoing-ness.

I think about these two lovely ladies all the time. Since both of my grandpas passed away before them, they became my single cohorts on holidays and at family dinners. Sometimes now, when I’m driving alone, I pretend the two of them are in my backseat and we’re heading out for a girls’ day somewhere. I can’t wait to see them again someday, hear the latest gossip from Grandma P. and a great nasty joke from Grandma H.

I’m sure they’re together somewhere right now, celebrating their birthdays with the pomp and circumstance they deserve, my grandpas and aunts and uncles by their sides, waiting for all of us to arrive and join in the party.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice post...happy birthday to both of them...BTW...the best thing about Grandma P (in my opinion) was the fact that she drank beer, something my Grandma G. would never do (she prefers two buck Chuck!!).

Anonymous said...

So nice to have such great memories of one's grandparents, isn't it? :)

Unknown said...

I knew you would write about them today. Grandma has been by my side this week. I do miss her.

Bretthead said...

Darn it. This is too sweet for me to make a typical crass comment or joke. Glad you have such fond memories!

Anonymous said...

Our Grandmas were the best! They are definitley whooping it up - probably drinking wine with Jesus! I do beg to differ that you inherited Grandma H.'s easy goingness - You easy going? Since when?

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky that you got to know your two grandmas so well. What wonderful memories.

Anonymous said...

Grandmom's are the best - happy birthday to the both of them - hopefully they are getting drunk and telling more crass jokes somewhere!!

megabrooke said...

aww, happy bday to your grandmothers! two very special ladies it sounds like.

brandy said...

What a great story! I have a friend who has grandmom's who are both close and I always thought of how fun that would be. My grandmothers didn't know each other at all. Wishing yours a fantastic birthday!!

Anonymous said...

August 24th is a day I never will forget as 2 lovely ladies came into the world. How lucky we were to have them. I miss them as well as the fun celebrations we had for them each year. Always to be loved, never to be forgotten. I know they watch over all of us as we think about them each and every day.
p.s. You forgot to mention that grandma P. and grandpa got married on her 19th b.d.