»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #9
»
Grandfather's Gifts
| Open Poetry #9 |
|
Grandfather's Gifts |
|
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
|
Grandfather's Gifts certain memories of long trips to L.A. although we once lived there I only remember visiting when we had to travel so far and when I would see the huge Donut I knew you were just a few blocks away…the Donut sign was my landmark "Grandfather's close" all I have are photographs of when you held me, the rest of my early memories were of you in a wheelchair or in a bed but I remember your garage, your work area…so neat so clean, so "principled" for you had that kind of mind I loved to listen to you and my dad talk softly I recall the phonograph made with your hands from bits and pieces and all of my 45's sounded as well as 45's could sound back in the 50's but your talents made them a symphony there was a favorite place in a cabinet in your home that held little treasures for when we visited I loved best the hand puppets of Kukla and Ollie they were so soft and fit my hand so well then you and I would watch "I Love Lucy" until you were too tired to hold me on your short lap with no legs gangrene had set in from a small cut on your ankle and they ended up taking most of your leg ~ it was eventually what took you away from any grownup memories you and I might have shared there was a favorite area in your home where the blinds let in light so dust motes could dance, and another favorite area outside between the brick wall and ivy green leaf blanket that afforded a little blonde haired girl a place to play and make mud pies and use snails as walnuts. So, Grandfather, although I had chickenpox the summer of 1961 when Mom was running back and forth, 181 miles from our home to your hospital and she had to tell a sick little girl that her granddad had died, what I remember is a hand made record-player, Kukla, Fran and Ollie, I Love Lucy, mudpies and snails, the smell of your aftershave, and dust motes of dreams. In Memory of Charles Givens Karilea When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
||
| © Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
A touching portrait. . . a moving tribute. . . Just wonderful my friend. . . ------------------------------------------------- That which gives light must endure burning --Victor Frankl |
||
|
Alle'cram Senior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 1816Texas |
sigh! ..but also happy are your memories. a artist you are & this piece proves it. Excellent and so enjoyed the read. Love,marcy |
||
|
Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
Such lovely memories to hold on to. You never cease to amaze me in your writes. |
||
|
Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Hello my sis, As I read, I remembered my own grandfather, and the little things that I will always treasure about him. Thank you for this wonderful writing, as it brought back such good memories!! Today is a gift.... That is why they call it 'the Present'! |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
This is beautiful, sunshine. I, too, can remember telltale signs that let me now when we were getting close to grandpa's house....and I certainly admire anyone who can remember Kukla, Fran and Ollie!!! Not many of us around, I don;t think  I love the poem  |
||
|
Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Affected! Touched! Moved! Felt! ... .. . are but mere words incapable to express the sensations inside this heart... thanks for stirring them... a great, great tribute... regards O Karilea, sudhir [This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 09-01-2000).] |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Sven, I do believe he looks down and would have approved...thank you... Marcy, those are the kindest words, I will hold them dear, thank you... Mark, I've been watching you, too...shall we continue to surprise each other?... Sunny1, I am so glad to know that you enjoyed this along with me... 'Deer, you suppose we are that old? I do remember the bells on my little dragon friend... Sudhir, your mere words are always welcome as are you, my friend...thank you! |
||
|
Romy Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1170Plantation, Florida |
This is lovely, thank-you for sharing a moment of your past! Debbie |
||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Oh, this is a remarkable piece that certainly touches many of us with memories of our grandfather. This is a very heartwarming and memorable tribute Liz |
||
|
BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Karilea, What a beautiful tribute you have written of those precious childhood memories we all hold so dear. Now, as far as using snails for walnuts......well, wish I'd thought of that, they wouldn't have been nearly as boring as the pebbles I used. And tell me, who are Kukla, Fran & Ollie (haha). Bonnie |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Debbie, you are more than welcome... Thank you Elizabeth...I think I can safely say he was beyond his time...although I haven't written that poem yet... Bonnie, I had the first animated walnuts...and if you really want me to remind you all about Ollie, I will... Karilea When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sunshine--What a lovely trip you have taken me on...so many familiar feelings enveloped me while reading this...yes, I know the donut well ...and Kukla, Fran and Ollie. This was a beautiful tribute to your grandfather. |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Martie - you know The Donut? What a great landmark! I do believe it is gone now...as are some of the better things in life, but I am glad you enjoyed this, and our mutual memories! |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
