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Memory. The dictionary defines it as the mental ability to recall past experiences. We think of it as that picture we saw, the words she said. Who in your life is so vivid in your memory that you could describe him or her without a second thought? For me, it’s my grandpa. But when I was small, I couldn’t say “Grandpa,” so 13 years ago, Theodore Lazarus became Paw Paw.
To all the grandkids, Paw Paw was full of fun and games. We all remember his favorite expressions, the ones that would pop out each time we saw him. Luckily, we visited Paw Paw quite often. We often overheard his little squabbles. “No way, José!” Paw Paw would yell; in response, we would shout back, “Yes way, José!” and burst into giggles. My younger siblings and cousins would tell Paw Paw about school, or ballet, or baseball, or their pet iguana, and just when they got into the story, he’d roar, “No kiddin’!” with a huge smile on his face. Paw Paw helped us remember that life should be fun.
Being the oldest of all the grandchildren, I remember more than my siblings and cousins do, but we all remember how predictable Paw Paw’s clothes would be. Most likely, he’d be wearing a white cotton shirt under another shirt, which was the kind that is red or blue, has one or two breast pockets, is plaid or striped, with buttons down the front. Being loose, it covered his big, round belly. He’d be sitting in the tall wooden chair in the corner by his desk, shouting into the black telephone with the big buttons. Or, if he wasn’t there, he’d be in his black leather recliner, watching a game on TV. Sometimes he’d let us snuggle next to him.
When Paw Paw wasn’t relaxing, he’d be in the backyard garden, weeding and pulling, planting and potting, until the time came in the spring or summer when the garden came alive with the colors of the flowers and vegetables he raised. I remember his old, worn hands that did everything: built the wooden tree house for me to play in, built the toolshed, plugged in the Barbie car so it would be ready for me to ride when I came over, fixed the DVD player so I could watch “Wee Sing,” and just played blocks with his grandchildren. He always took time to play with us.
He would never tell us, but I know he was proud of all his nine grandkids. We ranged in age from 1-12 when he died last summer of a severe stroke. When I remember Paw Paw now, I think of the pictures on Grandmother’s cabinet—pictures of me and Paw Paw when I was two years old and the only grandchild. In one picture, we’re lying on the bed, me in my flowered pajamas, him in his usual outfit. I had my bottle in one hand, the Sunday comics in the other (upside down!). He was reading the comics to me so we could laugh together. I will remember that for the rest of my life, and I will remember that he always loved me.
Source: https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/studentmodels/great-paw-paw
Recall (bring back into your mind)
Vivid (clear, strong in your mind)
Describe (explain in detail)
Expressions (words or phrases someone says)
Squabbles (small arguments)
Response (reply, answer to something)
Giggles (small, light laughs)
Predictable (easy to know in advance)
Relaxing (resting, taking it easy)
Weeding (removing unwanted plants)
Alive (full of life and energy)
Severe (very serious)
Stroke (a medical event where blood flow to the brain is blocked)
Memory is the ability to remember (recall: bring back into your mind) things from the past. We often think of it as a picture we saw or words someone said. Who do you remember so well that you could describe (explain: tell in detail) them without thinking? For me, it’s my grandpa. But when I was little, I couldn’t say “Grandpa,” so 13 years ago, Theodore Lazarus became "Paw Paw."
To all the grandkids, Paw Paw was fun and playful (full of fun: likes to have fun). We remember his favorite sayings that he used every time we visited (went to see: spent time with) him, which was often. He loved to joke (tease: say funny things). “No way, José!” Paw Paw would shout, and we would laugh and yell back, “Yes way, José!” My siblings and cousins would tell him about school, ballet (dance: formal dancing), baseball, or their pets, and just when they were deep into the story, he’d say, “No kiddin’!” with a big smile. Paw Paw made life fun.
As the oldest grandchild, I remember more than my siblings and cousins do. Paw Paw always wore the same type of clothes: a white shirt under a plaid or striped shirt with pockets and buttons. It covered his big, round belly. He’d sit in a tall wooden chair by his desk, talking on the phone with big buttons, or he’d be in his black recliner (chair that leans back), watching TV. Sometimes he’d let us snuggle (cuddle: sit close and warm) with him.
When he wasn’t relaxing, he was in the garden, planting flowers and vegetables. His hands were worn (used a lot: rough from work) but strong. He built a treehouse for me, a toolshed (small building for tools), and even fixed the Barbie car so I could ride it when I visited. He also fixed the DVD player so we could watch “Wee Sing” together. He always made time to play with us.
Paw Paw never said it, but I know he was proud (happy about something you did) of all nine of his grandchildren. We were between 1 and 12 years old when he passed away (died: no longer alive) last summer from a stroke. Now, when I think of him, I remember the pictures on my grandmother’s cabinet. One shows me, at two years old, lying on the bed with Paw Paw. I had my bottle in one hand and the Sunday comics in the other (upside down!). He was reading them to me so we could laugh together. I’ll never forget (not be able to stop thinking about) that moment, and I’ll always remember how much he loved me.
This story is about the writer's memories of their grandpa, Paw Paw. He was fun and loved to play and joke with his grandchildren. Paw Paw always wore the same kind of clothes and spent time working in his garden or relaxing in his chair. He built things for the kids to play with and always made time for them. The writer remembers how much Paw Paw loved them and how proud he was of all his grandchildren. Paw Paw passed away from a stroke, but the writer will never forget the happy times they shared.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/4uoXA6kCUzE
Screenpal: https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cZQFIBVSIDb