My fondest memory of my Grandma was when her and Grandpa took myself and my cousin Brandon (on my mother’s side) camping in their RV. We took turns sleeping on all the different things that turned into beds, it just fascinated us and she showed us all the things that “transformed” in the RV with patience and a happy laugh at how excited we were. One evening on our way back from a hike with my cousin, I overheard Grandma sitting around the campfire with everyone, talking about mistakes on the last trip we had when I was really young. She never acknowledged it to me, but she did to her peers, and she went on to express her endearing excitement and gratitude that I came that time. I will never forget that. At that point I never had an adult take ownership like that, that was my first and just about last experience like it. I’ll never forget it, I never did tell her that I heard that, and how appreciative and grateful I was of that moment. Another night that trip I decided to stay behind and continue watching the movie that was playing during one of the whole campground movie nights, my cousin going back alone. After it got dark my cousin came back to get me, and grandma was hysterical. Worried sick that something happened to me. She gave me the standard panicked hug and “don’t ever scare me like that again!” And I felt so bad and guilty, but, happy? I’ve disappeared like that plenty of times growing up with my mother and it went unnoticed a lot, never a panic like that. That was also new to me, but goes to show that there is always a deep and special connection between a boy and his grandmother. I love you Grandma, rest easy. -Shawn
