I'm sure many of you are like me -- thinking "Where would I start?" in regard to writing some memories about Grandpa Southwick. I'm trying to think of my earliest memories as I pretty much lived my whole life in Willits (we lived in Cloverdale when I was a baby -- don't remember that a bit! :))
I think quantity time sums up my experiences with Grandpa. Didn't need to be one special moment, but many multiple moments all strung together. We went to their house for birthdays and holidays, but also went over just to watch a TV show together and maybe even get lucky to be there when they had TV dinners. Grandpa worked outside on trucks and did his business in the little room off of the garage. I remember seeing him many times welding with that shield on his face and I wasn't supposed to look at the light. It was always so tempting, but I somehow resisted and still have my eyesight to prove it.
I loved to go up to Springfield for Thanksgiving to see JoAnn and Suzie and our family only went once or twice. So I drove up there many times with Grandpa and Grandma. Grandpa liked to tease Grandma as we'd drive -- nothing taunting, just subtle humor and he enjoyed that I was there to laugh too. Like when Grandpa would be driving silently, every once in awhile, Grandma would shout, "Elmer! Are you awake?" and he'd just dryly reply, "No." When I'd tell him about something I did, he'd say "Oh, you did, you did, you did, you did, did jya?" with a big smile on his face.
I drove to Utah with them too and remember all the stops at Dennys or Sambos to eat along the way. Grandpa would drink his Pero and take his Perdodan for his headaches. I thought it was great that they stayed in motels along the way because when I drove with our family, we sometimes just pulled into a truck stop and slept in the car until dad was awake enough to drive again.
On one Utah trip, we went to visit aunt Lily and it was wonderful because Grandpa and Grandma drove me around and shared memories of when they met and what they did when they were growing up. I remember Grandma seeing a woman who lived near Lily walking along the street. Grandma said that lady lived there as a little girl, then added, "She looks so old! She's still supposed to look like a girl! I don't look that old."
On the way back from Utah, once we stayed the night in Wendover. I thought it was funny to leave Suzi's house in West Valley and only drive for 2 hours before stopping. But Grandp just wanted to get a start on the trip and then we all settled in bed to watch Lady Diana marry Prince Charles -- the Royal Wedding. I couldn't believe the dresses and the flowers! So much fun!
One thing I remember the most about Grandpa over all was his convictions to what was right and what was wrong. He wasn't afraid to mince words and taught me many gospel principles when I was with him. Even when we'd drive on I-80, he'd let me drive, but would often ask, "Renee, how fast are you going?" When I'd answer, he'd say, "What's the speed limit?" I couldn't believe that he offered to let me drive when I just had my permit. We got near Reno and I wasn't so sure about driving through a bit city. He trusted me and told me I'd do fine. I did.
Grandpa also loved to hug us grandchildren and every one of us knew that he loved us. I remember when Jeanine and Bradley were little, grandpa would hug and kiss them and say that was thing in the world for his headaches. I hated to see him with his head down in his hands sitting at the table in pain. Getting to see him smile and love us all was good for me too.
Love, Renee
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