AUSTIN FAMILY STORIES
Candi

I think my very first memory of Granny was when I was about 4 or 5. I think it was around Christmas time and she brought me a Strawberry Shortcake toothbrush holder. I loved it… it was a big strawberry with two toothbrushes and the doll could come off, and it smelled so good! She also made my dolls the most beautiful clothes they had ever worn. I was so proud of them!

Granny stayed with me one time for a week or so when my Dad was in the hospital. I was too young to go up and see him so Granny and I stood downstairs and he looked out his window and waived to us. We went swimming a lot at Aimee and Joyee’s house that week. I remember eating grapes right off of their vine while in the pool… I thought it was amazing, and then Aimee and Joyee got to come to my house and spend the night. My bedroom was tiny and when we pulled out my trundle, it was wall-to-wall bed. I remember that my sheets had bright flowers on them and a rick-rack or zig-zag pattern around them. We sat on the bed and sang to Michael Jackson and Culture Club and told silly jokes and laughed and laughed. Granny had to tell us to go to sleep a million times.

I don’t remember if it was that same summer or not, but Aimee, Joyee and I got to go to Corpus Christi with Granny and Grandpa… it was the longest drive ever! We had fun that week too. I was always the baby at home, but that week I felt so grown up. I took a pink purse that I thought was so cool, and I think the three of us all had matching dresses. Isn’t it funny the things you remember? Granny took us shopping and to paint ceramics and I got to go to the beach for the first time. We made sandwiches and had a picnic that was crashed by the seagulls. We played cards in the living room floor and chased bull frogs in the front yard.

As I got older, I loved to go "antiquing" with Granny, Mom & Stacey while the "boys" were at the drag races. She took us to the coolest places and we looked at JUNK for hours. I still don’t know whether she walked our legs off or if it was the other way around, but we always had fun. I loved to go to her house and just hang out. Stacey and my friends and I would always fight over the bathroom. I "primped" for so damn long that I always ended up doing my make-up on the couch. It always made me sad to leave… Granny and Grandpa would stand on the porch and waive to us until we were out of their sight. I miss those times... growing up sucks!

Granny missed my birthday dinner one time because she had line dancing class. I thought that was so awesome and I couldn’t think of a better excuse! I am so very PROUD of her for being out-going and for traveling and volunteering. I tell everyone that I have the most cool and stylish Granny on the planet. She deserves to do whatever she wants for herself for as long as she can, because the majority of her life was spent doing for everyone else.

I love you Granny!
Candi