They were my grandparents from day 1...Neenie & Ralph Jones...I was their little "Pookie". It was back in a time when you really knew your neighbors, and being that our extended family was all in Michigan, our neighbors became our family. I could write a book of all the memories I have of Ralph & Neenie's house...all the fun Anna & I had there over the years. To be honest, I've probably been through them all this week alone...
I dug for worms every summer day in their garden.
I learned to snap beans around their old cement table. I can still hear Neenie & mom screaming for my dad the day I saw my first real snake fall from a tree beside that table.
I played Rummy (and lost to Neenie) every single day on her kitchen table and I laughed every time she said "you'll be sorry" when I picked up a handful of cards from the discard pile just to get a match.
She made the absolute best desserts on the planet. Her coconut cake and her pound cakes were absolutely divine. After I got married, I called and asked her for her sour cream pound cake recipe. She told me to go to the store and get a box of Duncan Hines and the recipe would be on the side. I was shocked that day to find out that Duncan Hines bought her recipe! ;) (Not really, but I still can't get that box mix to turn into a cake as good as hers!)
She taught me all kinds of silly songs. Any time I hear Shirley Temple sing I think that she stole Neenie's songs. And for years, I thought Neenie made up the song "I want a Hippopotamus for Chistmas".
Christmas mornings were never complete until that phone rang and she told us to come over for breakfast.
One time, I even remember getting into trouble at home and my punishment was I couldn't go to Neenie's house that day. WORST PUNISHMENT EVER!
We spent every afternoon there and they spoiled us rotten like only true grandparents can do. As we got older, life got crazy and our visits were fewer and farther between, but they were always there. After college, I gave them my old computer and her daughter, Phyllis, set them up with email so that we could talk more often. Time gets away from you though and we didn't talk near as often as we should have. Ralph died in 2007 and a piece of our hearts went with him to heaven. Neenie kept going though, right along with us and just as strong as ever.
A picture of Neenie with her two pregnant grandkids in 2008. Isaac & Madeline followed soon after this picture.
Neenie meeting Isaac for the first time.
Neenie and Samuel (Phyllis' son) with baby Isaac
Neenie meeting Lucas for the first time.
We made sure to visit whenever we were in town. This picture was Neenie's 89th birthday.
This picture was taken this summer. My boys love Neenie as much as I do.
I dug for worms every summer day in their garden.
I learned to snap beans around their old cement table. I can still hear Neenie & mom screaming for my dad the day I saw my first real snake fall from a tree beside that table.
I played Rummy (and lost to Neenie) every single day on her kitchen table and I laughed every time she said "you'll be sorry" when I picked up a handful of cards from the discard pile just to get a match.
She made the absolute best desserts on the planet. Her coconut cake and her pound cakes were absolutely divine. After I got married, I called and asked her for her sour cream pound cake recipe. She told me to go to the store and get a box of Duncan Hines and the recipe would be on the side. I was shocked that day to find out that Duncan Hines bought her recipe! ;) (Not really, but I still can't get that box mix to turn into a cake as good as hers!)
She taught me all kinds of silly songs. Any time I hear Shirley Temple sing I think that she stole Neenie's songs. And for years, I thought Neenie made up the song "I want a Hippopotamus for Chistmas".
Christmas mornings were never complete until that phone rang and she told us to come over for breakfast.
One time, I even remember getting into trouble at home and my punishment was I couldn't go to Neenie's house that day. WORST PUNISHMENT EVER!
We spent every afternoon there and they spoiled us rotten like only true grandparents can do. As we got older, life got crazy and our visits were fewer and farther between, but they were always there. After college, I gave them my old computer and her daughter, Phyllis, set them up with email so that we could talk more often. Time gets away from you though and we didn't talk near as often as we should have. Ralph died in 2007 and a piece of our hearts went with him to heaven. Neenie kept going though, right along with us and just as strong as ever.
A picture of Neenie with her two pregnant grandkids in 2008. Isaac & Madeline followed soon after this picture.
Neenie meeting Isaac for the first time.
Neenie and Samuel (Phyllis' son) with baby Isaac
Neenie meeting Lucas for the first time.
We made sure to visit whenever we were in town. This picture was Neenie's 89th birthday.
This picture was taken this summer. My boys love Neenie as much as I do.
A week ago, God (& probably Ralph too) needed Neenie in heaven after 90 years here on this earth. While you can say that 90 years was a great long life...it was still too soon for her family that she leaves behind. It was too soon for me. I was blessed in that I got to see Neenie in the hospital the weekend before she died and I got the chance to tell her that Anna & I both loved her very much. Many people don't get that opportunity, and I know how lucky I am that I got that chance. Our last phone conversation was just a few weeks ago after Brian's dad passed away. We talked about heaven that day. I know she's there smiling down on us now.
I found this picture when looking through my photos. I don't remember ever seeing it before, but I can honestly say it's my favorite picture of Neenie. That's my Isaac she's holding...but it could be any of us. That's my grandma...That's my Neenie...always good for one big snugly hug.
I found this picture when looking through my photos. I don't remember ever seeing it before, but I can honestly say it's my favorite picture of Neenie. That's my Isaac she's holding...but it could be any of us. That's my grandma...That's my Neenie...always good for one big snugly hug.
I love you Neenie, with all my heart and I will see you again.
Love, Pookie
Love, Pookie
