One story about Grandpa is especially dear to me. On a cold wintry night in December of 1972 1 gave my testimony before the Roanoke Church. At the end of the evening the minister read one verse from the Bible- he didn't say where the verse could be found. When I met Grandpa after church tears were streaming down his face. He told me that the verse was Isaiah 41:10 and it was the verse that gave him courage to repent and find his salvation. He had been waiting to hear that verse read in church ever since and that night was the first time he had heard it. I will never forget the joy in his face that night.
Grandpa and Grandma and all of Dad's brothers and sisters were at our wedding. It was the first time in years that they were all together. Later that summer Grandpa had his reunion at the Peoria Fellowship Hall with 100% attendance-
I also remember when I first realized that Grandma (Mary) wasn't my "real" Grandma. I was shocked and mad and hurt that anybody told me because I couldn't imagine anyone else being my Grandma.
Grandpa and Grandma used to go through the grocery store ads in the paper and write down all the bargains at each store. Then they would drive from store to store and just buy the bargains. I wonder how much gas they used going from bargain to bargain!
I remember when Grandpa Tim died. We went to Grandpa and Grandma's house. Grandpa took anyone who wanted to go over to Grandpa Tim's to show them where he found him. I was too scared to go along but after they left I was sorry I didn't go.
Speaking of Grandpa Tim, I remember going to visit him also. They had a small black and white TV. I had never seen much TV before and got so scared while watching Lassie that I hid under the chair. I couldn't resist peeking out from under the chair to see what happened. I didn't know Lassie always made it! To me everything on TV was real.
On Halloween, Mom and Dad would dress Keith, Tim and I up and take us to Grandpa's. They would stand back while we went to the door. Grandpa would always know who we were. He always said he would know my brown eyes anywhere. So one year I decided to close my eyes so he couldn't see them! He answered the door and started laughing. He said this has to be Eileen she has her eyes closed so I can't see her brown eyes! (I also wonder how far back Mom and Dad stood!)
We would go to see Grandpa and Grandma on Saturday or Sunday evenings. He would 'treat" us to sardines on crackers and warm Ginger ale! We thought it was great. Sometimes before we would leave, he would tell one of us to go up the stairs, into his bedroom, and open a certain drawer in his dresser. He would have sacks of candy (I think the little Tootsie Rolls) and we could bring a whole sack down! Later he felt guilty for giving us candy so he switched to Animal Crackers! We liked the candy better. I always felt scared and privileged when I was the one to go. I guess we never went up there much so it was different to me.
I remember going shopping with my mom in Peoria. Many times we would stop at Grandpa's on the way home and show them what we bought. One time I had gotten a beautiful new can-can slip. Grandpa told me he never did understand women. He said you buy the prettiest slip you can find and then make sure none of it shows!
Eileen Blunier