My grandmother worked as a companion to the elderly, and it was usually for families that she had known for years. My younger sister, Kathy and I would occasionally stay with Grandma at these homes, giving her a chance to spend time with us and giving my dad a couple days respite from single-parenting after my mother died.
Even though we had to be well-behaved and quiet, Grandma wanted to keep our minds busy on these visits. She taught us several versions of solitaire, we did word puzzles, or watched the game shows on TV with her. At night we would snuggle into bed beside her.
On New Year’s Eve, 1963, my sister Kathy and I stayed with Grandma overnight in Naples. I remember staying up late, looking out the big windows and seeing the skiers come down the hills with lights. It seemed a magical night at that time in my life, and I forever thank Grandma for those special memories.
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