Grandma Hamilton

This post is dedicated to my Grandma Hamilton, who passed away last week. The obituary printed in the Bradenton Herald doesn't do her justice, although I never knew her middle name was Mary. I did know her maiden name was Henderson and she and my late grandfather were from Parish, NY. Although, after six decades in Bradenton, one could argue they were actually from Bradenton and raised in Parish.

DISNEY WORLD: This picture was taken on the aerial tram at Disney World in the mid 70's. I think I was about 7 or 8 at the time. I found this picture a couple of months ago with some other old pictures. Two things about this trip. First, I didn't remember Grandma being on that trip to Disney World although I do remember my super cool Uncle Rick being there. Second I think this is the ONLY picture from that visit to Disney World that I didn't have my tongue sticking out! LOL

COQUINAS: I always thought Grandma was so cool because she won a beach naming contest. As a child, I loved going to that beach, Coquina Beach. The coquina clam is a mollusk found on sandy beaches. When the waves roll out, these little buggers are exposed and they burrow back under the surface. I spent hours upon hours squatting at the edge of the surf, digging my hands down in the sand, giggling as the burrowing coquinas tickled my palms. Ah, good times!

CROCHETING: I'm not sure when Grandma stopped crocheting, or if she ever truly quit crocheting. I just remember growing up that she always had a crochet needle going whenever we visited, except when we played Upwords or Boggle. Each time we visited Grandma would attempt to teach me how to crochet, but it never stuck. I still would love to learn how. This picture here is us at the beach (maybe even Coquina Beach) and Grandma once again, very patiently, showing me her work-in-progress. Her crocheted potholders are the only potholders I've used ever. I've bought the cute novelty potholders, but always always go back to Grandma's. Not only are these potholder from my Grandma, but they are just awesome and easy to use!!

BASEBALL: My dad played softball when we lived on Kwaj and I always enjoyed the games, but it was visiting with Grandma that I learned to keep score. I love love loved filling in the strikes and balls, tracing the runner's path around the diamond, sketching where the ball was hit, tracking which fielder caught and threw to whom for the out.

WORD GAMES: Both my dad's parents were avid word game players. I have so many memories of lurking around their kitchenette table while they and Dad played Scrabble or Boggle. Then I was old enough to play! Upwords was the game that survived through the years. and right up to the last games Grandma could still whomp Dad and me at Upwords. And she knew the definition of just about any word you could ever put on the board.

GENEALOGY: Grandma had worked on the family genealogy. Most likely that's what sparked my interest in genealogy, although I haven't done anything with it since my own children came along. My husband also has an interest in his family's genealogy, so some day we really hope to go to England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and wherever else our research takes us.

So, this is just a little bit more about my grandmother. I never lived close enough to have a real close day-to-day relationship with her, but she will always be a part of my memories and my life. ¡Hasta pronto, mis amigos!

~N