To Grandmother's House We Go

Barbara Z. Perman, Ph.D.

My ninety year-old mother took her grandchildren back to see the home where she grew up in Brooklyn, NY recently.  As I looked at the pictures of her childhood home and listened to the stories that were remembered and shared, I smiled and thought of the special feeling there is for children who are fortunate enough to spend time at their grandparents' home. 

Do you remember visiting your grandparents' home? Can you bring back the special sights, smells, sounds and warmth of your time spent there?  Try to close your eyes and recall that place and time and record that feeling so you can share your recollection with loved ones.

"I'm really going to miss this house!"

Those are the words we heard from Jason, the grandson of a recent senior client as he reflected on her move. As Jason loaded things from grandma's house into his car, he was trying to come to terms with this being his last visit to the family homestead. 

While Jason was feeling sentimental, he was also grateful to have some things from this house that he loved. He was also pleased to see his grandma a few months after the move and find that she was thriving at the senior living community into which she had moved.

Hopefully, you are lucky enough to still have grandparents who are in their homestead. If you can, find a time to visit, take pictures of them in their surroundings, and record some of their memories as well as your own. There is a small window of opportunity to do this precious work and it won't stay opened very long!