The Grand Adventure
By Tammy Gardner
I'm sure you've seen that heartwarming reel on social media, showcasing a child playing in the sand on the beach. The mother, standing in the foreground, gently reminds us all not to forget what truly matters when vacationing with children. She then steps aside, revealing Grandma engaged in building a sandcastle with the child. The mother's words ring true, as they evoke fond memories of my own dear grandma.
My grandma was an absolute delight! She and my grandpa took care of my brother and me nearly every weekend. While the primary reason might have been to take us to church, we genuinely enjoyed those Sunday outings. Going out to eat together afterwards was another treat, especially back in the mid-sixties when it felt like a real luxury. I fondly remember my grandma as someone who always had exciting plans for us. We'd sit together and pore over the Sunday newspaper, searching for local festivals, special museum exhibits, or even a movie to attend. But it was our vacations that left the most indelible mark.
During the 1950s, my maternal great-grandparents and two uncles had relocated to the Gulf Coast of South Florida. Twice a year, we'd make the journey to visit them. Every trip to Florida was synonymous with visiting the beach, an experience my grandma cherished, and one she successfully passed on to me. Yet, our adventures didn't stop at the beach; we explored a plethora of other places too.
One year, we ventured to Springfield, Illinois, soaking in everything related to Abraham Lincoln. Another time, it was the grandeur of Washington, D.C. We even journeyed to Mackinac Island and Saul St. Marie in Michigan to witness the impressive lochs on Lake Superior. And let's not forget our trip to Niagara Falls, where we marveled at the natural wonder from both the U.S. and Canadian sides. It was nothing short of magical.
One particularly epic adventure stands out in my memory: standing on the hood of my grandpa's 1973 Pontiac Catalina outside the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was the unforgettable Apollo-Soyuz mission with Russia in 1975, and I was just 14 years old. We watched in awe as the rocket blasted off into the sky.
Grandma always told me that if my high school ever organized a trip to Europe, we would go together. And true to her word, during my junior year, we embarked on an incredible journey to Italy. That experience broadened my horizons in ways I could never have imagined.
Reflecting on these cherished memories with my grandma, I realize how she played a pivotal role in shaping my sense of adventure and curiosity about the world. As a retired preschool teacher, I now appreciate the importance of nurturing young minds and creating lasting, meaningful experiences for children, just as my dear grandma did for me.
Trips and vacations were just the beginning of the fun my grandma shared with us. She was a master at playtime. Board games, circle games, stomping in the creek, and decorating their house for the holidays were just a few of the many activities we enjoyed together. have vivid memories of fondue dinners and joyously banging on pans to welcome the New Year. Those moments were pure delight.
When she gracefully aged beyond her ability to travel comfortably, I drove her around in the fall, admiring the beauty in the changing leaves. I continued to travel with my Grandma for as long as we could. We often went to Florida, as that is where the beach is and it was time to teach my daughter to love it. And she does. Now I’m Grammy and last year my daughter and I took her daughter and son somewhere fun. Guess where?
Tammy Gardner is a creative and adventurous mom, wife, and Grammy. She can somehow magically keep any plant alive and recently built a greenhouse to tend to as a hobby. Her frequent visits to her best friend Leslie in Chicago are filled with laughter and exploration. She was a dedicated preschool teacher for over 25 years, leaving a lasting impact on her students' lives. Now, as best nanny on earth to her grandchildren, she nurtures their curiosity and embarks on creative adventures with them. She loves Frank Zappa, tequila, and will explain the plot of every episode of Everybody Loves Raymond if you have enough time.