When I was younger, long before I had a son or even a husband, my grandfather used to be my Valentine. He would buy a heart shaped box with about 6 chocolates in it similar to the one above. Now to understand why this is so touching you would have to understand my grandfather. He grew up in the Depression in a large family and my grandmother always used to say she married him so he would have something to eat. When my father grew up, he wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy. Two of my father's brothers joined the military right out of high school just to get out of the house. By the time I came along however, he did soften a little. Being a girl didn't hurt.
My grandfather only had a small amount per month allotted for his personal spending money out of the house budget so even though he never said I imagine he either saved up a month or two or did without something so that he could bring a smile to my face. Every time I pass by the those little boxes in the store, I always think of him. I suspect he enjoyed giving slightly more than I did receiving. Now that I am older, I appreciate exactly what he did and why. He's been gone for quite awhile now but he's never far from my heart on a day like today.
Happy Valentine's Day Grandpap.
There is a special bond with a little girl and her Poppa. I'm glad you have the memory :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful story. I feel that way about those little Lifesaver's books they sold in the 70s. It's the little things that stick with you.
ReplyDeleteMy husband called his grandfather "Grandpap" too. Is that a regional thing?
I am not sure if it's a regional thing or not. It very well could be. I called my father's parents Grandma and Grandpap and my mom's parents Mam and Pap. Actually when I was little there were close and far away Grandma and Grandpap but then my cousin starting calling my mother's parents Mam and Pap and we all just went with it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I loved the Lifesaver's books. I had forgotten all about them. It really is about the small gestures in life.