So, there’s plenty of sadness when our parents and grandparents die. It’s not only missing them, but also the gut-wrenching efforts of clearing through their belongings to see what to keep, what to give away or what to simply toss out in a large black trash bag. You know the drill. But, it doesn’t make it any easier to do it when the time comes.
I’m currently in the process of clearing out my parents’ home, since my dad passed away and my mom has moved into assisted living. I’m not only finding things that were theirs, but also things that belonged to my grandparents–on both sides of the family. Yesterday, I spent hours digging through a box of photos, disintegrating scrapbooks, souvenirs, letters, a travel diary and even a script for a play. I was overwhelmed with nostalgia and gratitude for the loving grandparents I had and the chance to learn about their younger years, before I knew them.
Talk about a trip down memory lane! I don’t know if this will interest a single other person out there, but I thought I’d share some of the sentimental treasures I unearthed. 🙂 As a writer, I can’t help but think these will be a part of a book one day! I’ll keep you posted.
Official Passports used to travel to China with the US Navy in 1935. 
My grandmother and uncle on a rickshaw in China. 
A letter written to thank my grandfather for assisting with a medical emergency while in the Panama Canal. 
My grandparents wedding. 
My handsome Grandpa. 
Wedding closup. 🙂 
My grandpa with my uncle shortly before he died of brain cancer at 19. 🙁 
Grandpa posing with his first two kids. 
My uncle and aunt on a ship in the Pacific. 
My beautiful grandma long before I knew her. What I’d give to have the chance to talk to her one more time.