Memories of Grandma... " The magical linen closet"

This is one of the memories that was read at my Grandmas viewing by my cousin Staci.. This could of not been said any better... It is so true and touch my heart in a big way...

Growing up and spending time at my Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house was an adventure. There house was like the Smith and Edwards slogan “ we have anything you could want if we can just find it” It was true, they did have everything and most the time we would find it. But for as tough it was to find things; there was one place in my Grandma’s house that was always in perfect order, and you would always find what you were looking for. It was her linen closet. This linen closet wasn’t big by today’s standards, but it had it all; Perfectly folded towels, washcloths, hand towels, tea towels, sheets, pillow cases, blankets and more. My Grandma took great pride in her linen closet and she kept it well stocked.

When you were a baby and you needed a diaper, a bib, a clean onsey or a baby blanket, Grandma would go to her linen closet and retrieve anyone of these things that she kept there for you.

When you were a toddler and needed a wash cloth for a sticky face or a skinned knee or you needed a clean outfit, Grandma would go to her linen closet and save the day.

If you got sick and couldn't’t go to school and Mom, Dad or both had to go to work, you would get to go to Grandma’s. And when you got there, Grandma would go to her linen closet and get out sheets, pillowcase and a blanket, and make you a comfy bed on the couch were you would spend your sick day getting waited on hand and foot, watching Bob Barker and wheel of fortune,

As young kids we would spend many of our summer days in the back yard pilfering through Grandpa’s treasures to find the makings of a grand play fort. We would plan and build, and then at last we would go to Grandma for the finishing piece to complete our magical play place; the roof. We would plead with her to go to her linen closet and find us an old sheet or two. Well of course there was no such thing as an old sheet at Grandma’s house, but none the less she would hand them over.

We would finish our fort and spend the rest of the day in our magical make believe world. We had the best and most unforgettable fun at our Grandparents house.

As we got older and turned to adults, some of us, at times would find ourselves in that precarious situation were we would have no place to stay. Our grandma would take us in and once again she would go to her linen closet, and pull out sheets, pillow case and a blanket, and make us up a bed on the couch. And we could stay until we got it together and were able to take care of our selves again.

My Grandma was a lot like her linen closet; she was well kept and in order. She had everything you wanted and needed. She was full of magic and always gave comfort. She always took great pride in her family.

My grandma taught me through her example the importance of keeping a well stoked linen closet, just as she has taught me to keep a well stoked and open heart for my family and friends.

It has been several years now since my Grandma’s linen closet has existed, and I find my self at times missing it magic and comfort, just as I know I will miss her every day and all of the many things she gave to me.