I was very fortunate to go to college in the same town where my grandparents lived. I was two hours away from home. However, I had my safety net and my two favorite people about eight miles away. It was the perfect scenario. I had my independence, but also a place for free laundry and great meals. I was usually slipped a $20 bill on my way out the door after each visit by my Pa. Something I was always grateful for as a poor college student.
Of all the things that were great about being so close to my grandparents, the best was when my Granny would randomly show up at my dorm unannounced, bearing some of my favorite foods. The best was her meatloaf. To this day, my Granny’s meatloaf is one of my happiest memories. Luckily, my Aunt Patti can make it just like her. She recently taught me how to do it. I hope I have the skill. I have not tried it on my own yet. I definitely need to keep that meatloaf going.
When Granny showed up with food, all my friends in the dorm would get excited and yell, “Granny is here!” I shared the bounty of what my Granny brought. It was always a ton of food. The legend of her meals spread. When I did not have a car on campus, numerous friends would always volunteer to take me for a visit because they knew Granny would cook a feast for them. Also, my Pa was a hoot and a half. They were guaranteed a few dirty jokes while they waited for dinner to be served.
My grandparents were always there for me in a pinch. For example, on my first day of class my sophomore year, my glasses broke in two. Dammit. Enter Granny. She met me after class and took me straight to the eye doc for some contacts till my glasses could be repaired. She was a saint. I was as blind as a bat. It was a tough morning, but just knowing that I could call my Granny and she would be there for me was so comforting.
When I moved off campus into this little dumpy apartment, my Granny stepped up again. She bought me rugs, bedding and other decorating essentials. She also gathered all the cooking tools that I would need. I still have, and use, some of that stuff today. She never stopped taking care of me. I have this one old, beat-up cookie sheet that she gave me that I still use on the regular. I smile every time I take it out of the cabinet.
Sometimes I think what it would have been like to have gone to school farther away from home and not to have had my grandparents as a safety net. I quickly dismiss those thoughts. I would not change a thing.
To be able to be in my favorite place in the world in 10 minutes was the best. A place filled with love and where I knew there would be two people who would always be happy to see me, welcome me, and yes, feed me a good meal.
I miss my grandparents terribly every damn day, but I cherish all my memories of them. Especially my college memories. College should be some of the best times of your life and my grandparents certainly made them even better.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
