Page 4 April 2014 The love of a grandmother By Amanda Goossen Who has had the biggest impact on your life? Difficult question, isn’t it? I’d say there are many parameters for determining such a response. And to each person faced with such a question, the requirements are probably completely different. To me, the answer is simple. I wouldn’t even falter. The most significant people (yes, there are two…but they go together so perfectly, like peanut butter and jelly, that one is simply not there without the other), are my grandparents. On March 11, seven days after her 88th birthday, my beloved grandmother passed away. Six years after my grandfather, or Papa, as I prefer to call him. And to me, this past month has been riddled with heartache and thanks, sadness and love, and an overwhelming understanding that one era is most definitely over, before I’m truly ready. I will begin by saying that my grandparents’ names were Norma and Norman. And now you know, they were absolutely supposed to be together. My grandparents, my Papa and Gramma, were not different than yours. They were from a different time, a time when they remembered the Depression so deeply that each day they were thankful for even the smallest thing, even the most minor success. They worked hard and saved their money. They drove a Honda, a car they had for 25 years, only after the last 25-year-old car gave out. They lived in the same house for over 50 years and the walls and yard were blessed with memories of children running and playing, laughter ringing out and even hard times which one way or another always worked out in the end. My grandparent’s home was a safe place. It was where we all went to celebrate, to grieve, to simply feel their presence. San Diego is my birthplace and although I moved away over 20 years ago, driving down the hill on the 8 freeway still makes me feel like I’m going home. Turning on to Denise Lane makes me smile. Every time. My cousins and I grew up in the back bedroom, playing dress up in my Gramma’s old clothes and shoes. Playing house and putting on plays (which I always wrote, so I’d like to think my passion for writing was born within those walls). Five girls all only years apart, we had the time of our lives in that space. My grandparents were kind people. Supportive people. When I asked my cousin (who 31 years later is still my very best friend) one word to describe them, she said FAIR. And it’s true. They never picked a side. They never made you feel less than. They were just there for you, no matter what. Many family members and even friends found their sanctuary within that modest house. Many of us were given the gift of a warm hug and a promise that things would all work out. And they did things to help. They gave money, even if they weren’t wealthy people. They put a roof over your head if you needed it. They gave each granddaughter a computer when she graduated high school, bought each of their eight great- grandchildren a crib weeks before they were born and wrote us a very significant check on the day we graduated college. My grandmother, who had to quit high school to help her family, felt very strongly about education and was so proud of each of us for our accomplishments. My very first appearance in the Arcadia News was when I baked a pie for the Cookbook section. The pie was in memory of my Papa and his masterful ability to bake a perfect pie. When I started writing the Sweets and Treats section the following month, I called my Gramma. “I get to go to restaurants and bakeries and try desserts and write about them,” I told the woman from whom I’d inherited my massive sweet tooth. “Ohhhh Amanda, can you even imagine,” she almost squealed with joy. It’s devastating for me to know that next week when I pick up the phone to dial the number I’ve been calling weekly for over sixteen years, to tell her about my successes, my difficulties, my children, no one will be there. No one will be there to tell me about her word search, her favorite TV show, about my cousins visiting with all their kids in tow. But I thank God for giving me this wonderful woman as my Gramma. I was blessed. I am the woman I am today because she gave me her love. Thank you for reading the Arcadia News. Expires 4/30/14. Limit one offer per guest. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Redeemable only at the bakery listed. Must be claimed in-store during normal business hours. No cash value. Scottsdale • 17025 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste 110 • (480) 502-8900 Phoenix-Central • 4290 E. Indian School Ste 101 • (602) 954-4041 $5 off a cake purchase of $25 or more The Hunt For Dessert Is Over Top off your Easter celebration with a scrumptious decorated bundt. Join us Easter Sunday, April 20 Sunrise Service - 6 a.m.  Outdoor Amphitheater  Youth-led Worship and Music Traditional Easter Services 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.  Flower-filled Sanctuary  Special Music  Inspiring Message  Free Childcare and Sunday School at 9:30 and 11 a.m. FREE Children’s Easter Carnival Saturday, April 19 9:30-11 a.m. Bring the family for a fun-filled morning of Easter egg hunts, inflatables, crafts, games, model trains, a petting zoo and more! Tell Arcadia News what makes your Mom special at editor@arcadianews.com WANTED: Moments with Mom... A Mother’s Day Tribute

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