A STORY FROM MY CHILDHOOD

I was lucky enough to grow up with all of my grandparents and one great grandmother alive.  As I was thinking about different stories from my childhood, a lot of my memories included these amazing people.

MEET MAMMY - MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER...

Brittani and Mammy

Until a few years before Mammy passed away, she lived 3 blocks from my childhood home.  We spent a lot of time at her house, dusting her chess sets, eating cookies from her cookie jar, counting the coins in her bedroom drawer, and watching her favorite soap operas with her.  Still, to this day I believe that Mammy had a little magic in her.  If you had a wart, she would give you a nickle, and I promise you, within a week that wart would be gone.  In Mammy's 90's, she sold her home and moved to my Grandma and Grandpa Bengtzen's home in California, and I remember really missing seeing her on a regular basis.  

I remember one trip that our family took to California, being the only girl, I got to share Mammy's room and sleep in her bed with her.  I was so excited until about 20 minutes into the first night, when I realized that Mammy LOVED it hot!  She had her electric blanket cranked to the hottest setting it would go.  I didn't sleep at all that trip but I remember not wanting to hurt her feelings, so I didn't say a word about it!  What I wouldn't give to be able to lay in bed next to her, hot or not, and just chat with her again.  I love that lady.

MEET KEN - MY GRANDPA...

Me and Grandpa Ken - Can't you feel his love?

 Nathan and Grandpa Ken

My Grandpa Ken has also been a major part of my life.  He is still alive, but with Alzheimers, he isn't the man he was even 5 years ago - it makes me so sad.  I have SO many stories from my childhood that include my grandpa, but one I remember so clearly is a time we went to his office.  He was the owner of Chidester Realty, and his office was a cute little house on 3300 South.  It had a cherry tree in the back yard, and a refrigerator full of bottled Cokes and Sprites.  I remember one day going to visit him, I was probably only six or seven, and I was sitting in his big chair behind his desk drinking a cold Sprite.  Someone he knew had just walked in, and he introduced me to him and went on and on about what a beautiful granddaughter I was.  I remember feeling so special and so loved.  My Grandpa Ken had a way of making me feel that way all of the time.  I don't remember one time, when I was home sick from school, that my Grandpa didn't bring me a Crown Burger shake.  I know for sure that there hasn't been a time that I have seen him that he hasn't kissed me and patted me on the cheek and said "hello sweetheart".  He is an amazing man and I'm so thankful that I have been blessed enough to have him in my life.  I love you Grandpa Ken.