Throughout the remainder of the city, its residents are very simple and very laid back. They desire nothing fancy, but will pay for a great meal out — and trust me, there are some amazing, authentic places to pick from. They have their own favorite cheesesteak spot, are extremely loyal to their four sports teams — whose stadiums encircle each other — and have had the same friends and neighbors for the last 20-30 years. To back up that cliche, it does feel like the city of brotherly love, save for the car horns going off in busy intersections.
I fell in love with Philly the first time I visited three years ago. I love the skyline, the history and the attractions, and I thought it was so unique — as well as unusual — that the city is mostly made up of rowhomes that have no accompanying yards or driveways and that people can get away with double parking. Everywhere.
My husband — whose accent re-emerges as soon as we enter the city limits — was initially so excited for me to meet his grandparents. His 85-year-old maternal grandparents live a few blocks from the aforementioned stadiums in a rowhome that they added onto before moving in decades ago. They have their health issues, but you'd hardly know it. His grandfather can hardly see, but both he and his wife have impeccable hearing. They do their own housecleaning, laundry and shopping — someone drives them, of course — and his grandmother is an amazing cook. I could live soley off of her rice pudding — and pay the price - and my husband will only rave over her pasta sauce, er 'gravy.' Each day, she has a small glass of red wine, a routine that seems to have paid off. Five children, 14 grandchildren — spouses included — and almost four great-grandchildren later, they are still sharp, witty and aware. It amazes me.
I'm amused when we stay with them because the highlight of their day is watching TV, even when we are there. They have all of their programs figured out, from Judge Judy to game shows - Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune are musts - to CSI and Animal Planet. I don't completely blame them. Neither one can drive anymore and their closest child lives about a 45 minute drive away in Jersey. I don't know what I'd do in the house all day long. For Christmas, the youngest son bought them a little parakeet - after he bought his twin girls two of their own, whom they named Simon and Theodore. My husband's grandmother had to play along, naming her new bird Alvin. Her new addition is somewhat entertaining for her, though apparently she has long called animals retarded because they can't take care of themselves.
My husband's other grandmother lives fairly close by and I could spend hours with her. When we first met, it was as if we'd known each other for years. She, also 85, took the spotlight at our wedding almost two years ago when she flew out onto the dance floor once the band began to play "Tarantella." My adorable 75-year-old grandmother, who has always longed to be Italian, joined in and the two were a hit. It's hard for me to put into words "Grandmom" Rita, pictured left. She also lives in a rowhome and walks to get her groceries, go to church, get her hair done and visit the dentist. She's blunt, but sweet and I laugh at her mannerisms. She is the biggest worrier, yet constantly prays. Her husband died about 10 years ago and I think she still aches for him every day. While my husband and I were still engaged, she'd shake her fist at the sky and yell at her "Arty" for being gone. It's so sweet - and heartbreaking.
My point to all of these stories ... I want to know their secret for staying so sharp, so witty, so mindful - so young. I could carry on a conversation with each of them and they wouldn't miss a beat. I long to take something from them all so I'll have a special memory when they're gone. I hope they're around for years to come.
1 comment:
This is a really sweet post. I feel the same way about my grandparents. That's why I started journaling so that I would have something years from now to remember all of those kind of memories. That picture is really cute, too!
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