Notes from my childhood

Growing up, I had the wonderful privilege of living close to both sets of grandparents.

My Grandma and Grandpa Joachim (and Great Grandpa and Grandma Pfeifle) lived in the same town.  Although I went to daycare, my Grandma and Grandpa Joachim kept me at their house, too.  If I remember right, it was on Mondays.  I do remember our routine quite well, and coming from good German roots, the routine did not deviate very much. I suppose I have them to thank or blame for my love of routine. :)

It was on these days that I would sing in the backyard as they watered the garden or hung clothes on the line, or play in the basement as they did laundry with the wringer washer (yes, they owned an electric washer and dryer, but they never used it), walk uptown with Grandpa in the morning to visit my dad at the farm store and a trip to the bar where I could have either a pop or candy bar (I always chose the candy bar), come home in time for The Price is Right, which was promptly followed by lunch at 11am.  After that, I would play school in the living room, watch Sesame Street or try my hand at the pump organ as Grandma sewed or traced and cut quilt blocks from old fabric to make into new quilts. 


Sometimes Grandma would play the pump organ for me.  She was a church organist in her early days and played this organ nearly every day late into her life. 



My Grandpa passed away at the very end of 2000, and my Grandma, who is nearly 95, recently entered the nursing home.



It was decided several years ago that when she passed away, since I was the only one who played the piano, I would inherit her pump organ.  Well, it arrived in its new home this past weekend, and it seems I have the best of both worlds for the time being as Grandma is still here with us. :)

After my dad delivered this very special treasure, I asked him about the song books that were stored in it.  He may or may not have thrown them in the dumpster.  I may or may not have suggested he dig them back out.  (Actually, I volunteered to do it, but he did it before I had the chance.)  I'm very glad he did since among the German song books and hymn books was my Great Grandpa Pfeifle's German Bible.  I can't read German, but I can tell this says The Prophet Jeremiah.  

So, although the passage of time becomes very real in these times of change and, it has been comforting to look back on these special childhood memories and to have an important part of that childhood in my home now.

Gott Ist Die Liebe

(God Is Love)