Chatting with Grandma

I called my 84 year old Grandma today to say hello - my Mom's mom is the only grandparent I have ever really known. My Dad's mom died when I was 15 and she lived in Pennsylvania so I did not know her well. My Dad's dad died in 1980 or 1981 and I don't know anything about my Mom's Dad...he basically disappeared I believe when my mom was little. He did have a pretty cool name though: Ingolf Johannessen. Norwegian in case you're wondering!

I haven't seen my Grandma in almost two years and I feel terrible about it. She lives in Staten Island and we can just never seem to get there. Right before her 80th birthday she had a (thankfully) minor stroke but fully recovered. She is still on her game though - when we went to her 80th birthday party Nick said "Hi Grandma, do you know who I am?" And she said "who are you???" Then said yes, of course I know who you are Nick. Another time she was telling me how her and her husband Mike had met some famous actors back in the 70's, and she was so mad at herself because she couldn't remember their names. She said "I'm only 83, I don't forget anything!" Gotta love it.

Today she told me a funny story from when I was a kid, that I have no recollection of. All I can say is I hope my kid is like me or my brother Erik, and not like my brother Dylan (sorry Dyl ;)

On Halloween she was staying at our house and for some reason only Dylan went out trick or treating. He came back with a pillowcase full of candy - my Grandma loves candy (her nickname was Tootsie years ago) and asked if she could have a piece, and he told her no way. My Grandma loves candy and was pretty upset at this. So apparently I went to the neighbor's house, without a costume, and said "trick or treat" and explained the situation. I came back with candy and handed it to my Grandma - she told me I made her so happy! Later that night Dylan had gone to bed and Erik came home - my Grandma told Erik the story and he said "I'll get you some candy" - and went and stole a bunch of Dylan's candy and we all shared it. I have to guess that I was around 6 or so if my brother Erik was still living with us. I thought this story was hilarious - and good to know that I was (sometimes) a decent kid.

Now I want some candy.

xoxo