Sunday, December 4, 2011

Storytelling Sunday - on Grandparents

This really isn't much of a story - more just an acknowledgement.  I think that grandparents play a very important role in a child's life. So I was grateful to have these people in my life:

Grandma and Grandpa Rice were not actually my grandparents. They were an elderly couple that happened to live in the downstairs apartment of a two-flat in Chicago. We lived in the upstairs apartment. At the time of these photos, I was 6 1/2, Deanna (the little red head in the center photo) was 2 1/2, and Jerry was just turning 1.  The other boy in the photos is my cousin Geoff.

But back to the Rice's... other than occupying the same apartment building, this couple had no ties to our family.  Yet they chose to informally adopt our young family and fill in as grandparents in a home where all the biological grandparents had either died or lived far away in other states.

I honestly know nothing about the Rice's, other than the last name. And that they were wonderful loving people who fulfilled a needed role in the lives of three young children for a time.

Seeing these photos reminded me of the saying "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime... Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy."  


The Rice's were definitely in my life for a season and gave me the opportunity to experience the kind of love that only grandparents are capable of offering. When I came across these photos recently, I knew I needed to document these special people who were an important part of my life for a season. 


For more of Storytelling Sunday, visit Sian's Blog From High in the Sky.  There's already 27 other bloggers with stories to share!

23 comments:

Amy said...

I agree completely, they certainly do deserve their own special place in your album. I had a fantastic relationship with all of my Grandparents and I am very glad you were able to develop a similar relationship with these caring and wonderful people.

scrappyjacky said...

A really heartwarming story,Cheri.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome! And a beautiful layout to go along with your memories of the Rice's.

I had the good fortune to know my grandparents and fully understand and appreciate the value of being loved by the older generation. Great story today, Cheri! xo

Sian said...

Definitely, definitely worth documenting - I think there are many of us who would love to have had a couple like this in our lives. How special and important - and to remember them at Christmas especially is a very good thing.

Cheri, thank you for this story and for the others you have contribuyed this year. Some of them have been very powerful and have stayed with me. I suspect I'm not the only one.

Health and other stuff aside, I do hope you and yours have a merry CHristmas!

Jimjams said...

Almost better than grandparents because they chose to be like that - a truly lovely memory to add to your albums!

Merry Christmas ♥

Unknown said...

What a fantastic story and such great memories to have.

A village raises a child they say and I love the addition of this idea of people for seasons, very interesting. I was watching a programme recently where scientists believe that grandparents or that generation gap evolved to help strengthen the species by helping to raise children and give them more experience. Powerful stuff.

Merry Christmas.

Irene said...

How wonderful to have the Rice's in your lives. I imagine you gave them great pleasure too! It is interesting how strangers come into our lives and play quite an important role for a time. You will never forget them and I expect they never forgot you.
Have a very special holiday season.

Tracy said...

Lovely story about some special people. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas

Tracy said...

Lovely story about some special people. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas

furrypig said...

'adopted' family can be so special and definitely important in our lives a very fitting tribute to the Rice's

Mary B said...

Such a lovely heartwarming story thank you for sharing it. Have a very happy Christmas.

Melissa said...

What a beautiful layout Cheri. I love that you have documented the story of these special people who filled a needed role in your young lives.

A very Merry Christmas to you!

Jo said...

A beautiful story. It's so lovely in life to find people that want to fill a role like that.

Miriam said...

How beautiful to have know the Rice's, I think they must have loved you all to have taken you into their lives. What a special time this is.
Merry Christmas Cheri.

Barbara Eads said...

How nice to have those "adopted" grandparents! Having always lived out-of-state, I missed my grandparents. It's nice that you had the Rice's.

Ginger said...

Lovely and meaningful story Cheri!

scrappysue said...

What a really heartwarming story Cheri; one of my friends Grandparents always used to cook me tea before choir, she was adorable. Sadly I never had any photos of her. Thanks for the reminder that I should ask my friend for a photo and write the story too!

MonicaB said...

This is a wonderful story. I have a set of grandparents like this - not related by any means but they meant so much to us. Thanks for making me remember to document about that bond.

Unknown said...

Love this... love more that you have photos with them. I have people from my past that I totally wish I had photos of instead of just a memory...

Cheryl said...

What a lovely story and what a lovely couple x

Susanne said...

Yes, being a grandparent is a noble avocation whether to their own grandchildren or to other children who could just use another. It sounds as the Rices were quite the blessing. Merry Christmas.

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

What a heart warming tale Cheri. How wonderful to have had such special people in your young lives. Wishing you a Merry Christmas. Fiona x

Ladkyis said...

Being a grandparent, whether natural or honorary is such a privilege, They were obviously very good at it because you remember them with such affection. I will remember that saying about people coming into your life too, it is so true.