I am a Missouri gal and have been for the past 13 1/2 years. Before that, I spent most of my life in Colorado. However, I was born in Minnesota. And, even though I have not lived there for more than 35 years, it is still where you can find my heart.
My grandparents’ house was in Minnesota. I remember lots of Christmas parties gathered in her small living room. I remember riding with my grandpa down to the sale barn on Saturday morning to get one of grandma’s freshly made cinnamon rolls.
I remember being able to spend time with my cousins. We were scattered a bit around the country, but we would all make it back to our grandparents’ house at least once a year.
My grandpa was a pretty awesome guy. He was amazing at what he did. He was so good at it in fact, that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Now, it may not be the same Hall of Fame you might think of, but it is one that is special to our family. My grandpa is in the Minnesota Auctioneer’s Hall of Fame.
I remember the first time I told my kids that their great grandpa was in the hall of fame. They were mesmerized and wanted to learn more. I showed him the page where they could see his photo. I even happened to have a CD recording of one of his auctions.
When I turn that on, I am transformed. I can smell the “money” at the auctions (and if you’ve been to a cattle or pig auction, you know what I mean). I remember sitting in my grandma’s cafe and getting REAL chocolate milk. Not the white milk you add syrup to but the chocolate milk directly from the jug. That was such a treat for me.
My grandparents would finish their day and then it was all about us. We would do crafts, play games and cards. When my cousins were with us, all of us would spend hours upon hours playing in their basement.
I remember the daily bath schedule. With one bathroom which had ONLY a tub (no shower), we had to schedule our times to get ready whenever we had to leave.
I lost my grandpa back in 2001. I still remember the call at 11 pm. I had just returned from a business trip and walked through the door and found out. It was so shocking and sad that he was gone. I was asked to sing Ave Maria at his funeral. It was the toughest song I ever sang in my life, but the one I will never forget. We were saddened to lose him, but we all turned to my grandma as the matriarch of the family.
My wedding day – June 7, 2013
My grandma was a tough old bird. However, she had the best heart in the world. She may have been a sore loser if she didn’t win at cards, but she could give the best hugs and had the most amazing laugh. You couldn’t help but laugh when she did. It was contagious.
This year I lost her as well. We knew it was coming, but that did not make it any less painful. Some of my female cousins and I joined our voices together to sing Ave Maria. Grandma wanted her grand daughters to sing for her at her funeral, so we made sure that we did just that.
It’s been a few months since she’s been gone, but it doesn’t make the pain any easier. There are tears strolling down my face as I type this post. They are tears of joy mixed with sadness that they are both gone. There is so much joy from the life they lived and what they taught me. The sadness is knowing that my own children will never get to experience what I did growing up with two such amazing people.
Their spirit lives on. I am proud of my faith and that comes from my grandparents. I can sing – – which was a gift from my grandpa. I have my grandma’s sharp tongue and very loving spirit.
When Cents of Style told me about these new state necklaces they were selling, I knew that I did not want to get one for Missouri. For me, I wanted to keep my grandparents close to my heart. This necklace allows me to do that. I look at that state name with pride and happiness.
I wear my new Minnesota State necklace with the two of them in mind. The necklace hangs close to my heart as they are never forgotten and always remembered. I absolutely love it!
Today, you can order your own necklace with the state that speaks to your heart. It might be the place where you got engaged or married. It may be where you had your first child. It could be the location where something happened that changed your life forever. Whatever it is, I’d love to know your story, so please let me know!
Head over to Cents of Style to order yours.
Home is where the heart is….and that is often not even where you live.