Summer Memories

As a kid, I didn't go to camp for a week, rather I went to my Grandma's house (she lived an hour away from us and so it was a chance to really get to know one another).  I remember weird details, like how I thought it was so strange that the bath towels were stored in a kitchen drawer (it was a deep drawer and the bathroom had no storage to talk of).  I remember thinking that I didn't think it was possible to live without air-conditioning, but I always survived the week at her place without it.  I remember eating Count Chocula cereal for breakfast (that was never a choice at home) and my Grandmother saying "Good Morning" every morning.  I shared my Grandma's bed with her for the entire week and I don't know quite how we fit on her small bed.  I remember that her alarm clock was really a clock with little bells on the top - not an electronic one that you can read in the dark.  One morning of the week at her house, she took me and my brothers to McDonald's for breakfast - another special treat.  But probably my best memory was the fact that I had the privilege (at least that's how I saw it) of cleaning her collection of salt and pepper shakers (she had a lot, trust me) and then rearranging how things were organized. . .until next summer.

I went to visit my Grandmother a few weeks ago and I called her the night before to make sure that it was ok with her.  When I arrived at the care home, she felt so bad because she had totally forgotten that I was coming.  It's hard to let go of the people you love.  I'd give anything to go back in time and spend a week making more summer memories at her place.  Instead, I hold tight to the memories I have and enjoy the walks down memory lane with her, however brief they may be.