List 43 memories of my Grandpa

My grandfather struggled with his diabetes the last 25+ years of his life. He wanted to do what was “correct” but the only way he really did was because my grandmother would help him. She really kept him going for many of those years. He didn’t like having that disease.

So I was at a party today and my mom was there talking about artifacts that would be there for people to discover and she mentioned that my grandfather always buried his trash. All of it. Burnt it or buried it. She even said he buried an old washing machine. I remember the barrel outback where he’d burn stuff – but I had no idea he buried things. I’ll have to ask my mom for some more memories. They are cool because they help me remember my grandfather and that is a good thing!

I remember my grandfather liking the color baby blue. His coffin was a really nice dusty light blue color. My grandfather looked good in blue because he had blue eyes. I wonder if I had more children would they wind up having blue eyes?

My grandfather went to church with my grandmother. I never knew if he did it because he was catholic or if he wanted to join my grandmother. He was really good at going with her without complaint. I should ask her.

Manual labor – My grandfather didn’t mind doing thing on his own and really getting into it. He built a lot of things when I was growing up. I watched him build homes, a well, etc. He really had no fear in just “doing it”.

temper – I never really saw my grandfather angry but I heard stories about him having a temper. I heard that if he got angry he’d pick up his family and move. I heard that if he thought something wasn’t fair he’d deal with it in his own stubborn way. It makes me laugh and smile when I hear these types of stories because I often wonder where I get the stubbornness? I think I’ve got it coming from both sides of my family! Double wammy!

My grandfather had a really cool ruby ring. He always wore it. The ring was so worn down that you couldn’t tell where the metal started and the gem ended. It was a great ring and I always liked to hold his hand so I could touch the ring. He never took it off to let me put it on.

I wish I knew the story behind the ring.

My grandfather enjoyed baseball – he was a Dodger fan. My son recently started t-ball – they put him on a Dodger team! Small world – more coincidences! My grandfather was always watching baseball on television. He also liked the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres.

My grandfather used to tell me stories of his time in the merchant marines. He traveled a lot – I wish he told me more of the Korean War.

I don’t think many people know about this group of people.

My grandpa grew up in Puerto Rico – he is Puerto Rican. My grandmother is Puerto Rican, I am Puerto Rican (1/2) Anyway, my grandmother (in many people’s opinion) makes the best Arroz con Gondules in the world. My grandfather used to grow the bean plants so the beans would be fresh! WOW! They were so good. Yummy!