To Grandmother's House We Go

My Grandma and Grandpa Catherall lived about an hour away from where we lived, most of my growing up years. We loved going to my Grandparents house. We usually visited them on Sunday after church. I remember on many occasions after church we would rush home, get dressed, and hop in the car with pure joy written all over our faces. I remember that car ride like it was yesterday. I can still picture the (what I called) “almost there mountains” we went around just before we could see Simi Valley (where my Grandparents lived). I quickly learned the many landmarks we passed along the way and about how much time was left in our car ride. I found it to be much easier to spot these landmarks then to ask, “are we there yet?” Before I could understand the concept of real time my parents would respond to the questions, “are we there yet, or how much longer?” with, “not yet, it will take one hour. Or the equivalent of two full house episodes (or whatever my favorite half hour show was at the time). We were relentless I’m sure, what clever folks I have. What can I say; we were anxious to get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

As soon as the car was parked we jumped out and ran to the front door. As we entered their home we were often greeted by the delicious smell of Grandma and Grandpa’s cooking/baking mixed with the smell of eucalyptus trees. It was a rare occasion when it was just our family and Grandma and Grandpa in their home. If it wasn’t a holiday creating a home full of visiting family then it was full of family members who lived with my Grandparents at varying times. When I was younger my aunties Summer and Liz were still living at home (I can still picture their rooms, Miss Piggy/Kermit blanket, poster of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, life size James Dean, an American Doll…ohh the memories). Then when I was older my Aunt Kristin’s family as well as my Uncle Bill’s family lived with them (at different times). Also, my Uncle Sean’s family lived in California for awhile, so we were often all together. It was usually a house full of laughter and running children, it was the best. I loved to listen to my Dad interact with his parents and his siblings, in fact, I still do. I would often sit at the kitchen table and listen to the “grown up” talk. They came up with the best conversations; I often wished I had a tape recorder with me. I have a very funny/witty family.

It was a happy loving place to be and to somewhat grow up in. I was very sad the day my Grandparents announced they were moving to Utah. There were many, many years enjoyed in that home. Many memories were made and many relationships flourished. I can still picture that home in all its beauty and most of all the many memories it carries with it. The car ride home was often a quite one as we dreamt the night away. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa Catherall for creating such a lovely home for our family to grow up in and gather in. Although the family no longer lives in the home the home still lives within the family.