For Grandma and Grandpa.. The endless card games, the amazing summer adventures up and down I-5. I thank you both so much for a childhood that was just awesome.  

Elba Place Get-Aways- Part One-

Fresh, cool, sweet morning, excitement 
in my tummy, as mom kisses me good-bye.  
I’m on the bus, so grown up, down Mission Blvd, toward 
Union City Bart I ride, and finally, I arrive.  
There’s the Buick with Grandma smiling, 
parked front-in-line, and to Elba Place we head.

Ah! Grandma and Grandpa’s house, it is my little paradise. 
“Go right on in, the door is open,” she says, 
“That door is always open, it will never be locked.”
Grandpa is puttering in the garage, tools in hand, 
banging and fixing something.  
I get a quick and soft flannel squeeze as I head past.  
A smoke perched at the corner of his mouth, 
I peer at Grandma with surprise, and she smiles, 
“He puffs, it helps him focus.” 

Sweet morning air flows through open doors and windows, 
Grandma is in the back yard, pruning, watering, nurturing.  
The flowers more colorful, the breeze fresher, 
and the birds sing louder in Grandma’s yard.   

Now it’s family time and everyone arrives, 
the house is filled with laughter, noise, and familiar voices.  
The sounds and smells tickle my brain.  
The ball game plays loudly in the living room, 
the BBQ is started, charcoal wafts,
ice cube trays clink as glasses are filled, 
and snacks abound. Grandma is busy in the kitchen 
chopping and preparing, and Grandpa is with the guys 
in the backyard, tending and chuckling. 
 
Pause… Grandma sits in her spot, in HER chair, and wait… 
I have a moment, and I jump in her lap.  
Oh her sweet smell, I snuggle into her, 
barely (and not really) fitting in her lap. 
I soak in that moment, soak it in deep.  
Stare in her kind, sea blue eyes, study her dangly earrings, 
her perfect bright red nails, 
the maze of beautiful doodles on the tablecloth.  
These moments I know even in my kid-brain, are precious.  

See part Two...

GGPa, and Gram and Poppy at Lucas' school open-house

Elba Place Get-Aways... Part Two

The table is set, everyone crowds around. 
“The burgers are done to a T”
some-one hollers, and Grandpa is pleased.  
The conversation is rousing, and “boink” over goes my glass 
and everyone jumps, except Grandpa, 
he chuckles as the wave of water flows by like a river.  
“He won’t miss a bite,” Grandma laughs.  

The table is cleared, the cards come out.  
Grandma means business as the cards come ‘round.  
I’m dealt in and know I’ll get grace, 
but boy no one better lead with a spade, 
because she’d say, “well that’s what Grandma calls chicken…”

Shiny clean kitchen, dark and quiet house, 
now it’s just me and Grandma and Grandpa in the house.  
Grandpa asks about school, and I give him the full, 
overdetailed report, he listens attentively.  
A man of few words overall, 
but when you speak you feel every- word- was- heard.  
Every word.  A mixture of concern, pride, and gentle focus.  

Grandma and I close out the night, 
snuggled under a gold covered afghan, 
with Matlock on the big wood framed TV.  
The lights are low, and my heart is full.  

So many sweet memories fill my mind at Elba Place- 
blazing fires after Christmas tree hunting, 
Thanksgivings with all of the trimmings, 
rousing Eves of New Years, 
any excuse for a good BBQ, 
quiet times listening to grandma’s family stories
as we peered at faces in the old tintype, 
and countless weekend get-aways.

The smells, sounds, and sights of Elba Place fill my childhood 
with love, warmth, and comfort.  
These times I loved deeply and cannot lose 
because they are knitted in me.  
Grandma and Grandpa, I will see you again someday, 
until then, thank you for making me… ME.  
 


Our Dad was the best paper hat maker! He would fashion them out of newspaper. We loved watching him magically create these hats. As kids, we often asked him to make them for us. We love you Dad! You loved spending time with us and we loved spending time with you.

      Grandpa was a caring and consistent presence in our family and in my life.  Visiting Grandma and Grandpa's house was a highlight of childhood, as were the many camping trips we went on with them. Wherever they were, whether at their home or in their RV, they made it feel like home for the children in their lives.  Many of our family gatherings were centered around my Grandma.  My childhood memories ring with her laughter and the energy that she brought to every occasion. However, Grandpa was just as engaged in every family gathering, if in a quieter way.  His lap was always open to little people and my earliest memories of him are of bouncing on his knee. 
      Even though we enjoyed lots of fun and games together in a house full of family, it was always special to get time with Grandpa one-on-one.  In those moments he most revealed his care and concern for his loved ones. I have a particularly cherished memory from childhood of him taking me on a picnic by a stream, just we two. He loved nature, and he spent the longest time patiently teaching me how to catch tadpoles. We brought home jars full!
      Grandpa enjoyed relating with his great grandkids as well, from the oldest to the youngest ones. In recent years, it was a sweet routine to take my own little kids on our weekly donut date with "Ggpa." He never hesitated to get down to their level to play and chat with them, or welcome them onto his lap to bounce on his knee.  Even at an advanced age, he was young at heart. His whistling, ear wiggling, and throaty chuckle will be warmly remembered by even the littlest ones, and I know I will always cherish him in my heart.
      RIP, Grandpa. See you real soon.

OBITUARY

Ross F. Elmer

October 24, 1929 – March 27, 2022

Brentwood Funeral Home

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