As I've been going through some of my family's things this past month, certain items I've stumbled across have made me realize how much in common I had with my Grandmother. We were close when I was a child and I'd love to hear her own childhood stories, but as far as sharing her personal collections with me, she was generally private with those things. I was also private with that sort of thing. I wasn't hiding anything. I just didn't think she'd be interested. Perhaps she thought the same thing about sharing those things with me. What a shame.
Among her quirky collections, I found albums of coins, stamps, and postcards, which brought a huge smile to my face. It made me think about the whole "Nature vs. Nurture" debate. I'm not an avid collector of coins or stamps but I have enough to organize in an album if I ever decided to do so. Postcards on the other hand, I've been collecting since I was a teenager. I couldn't believe I didn't know she collected them as well. Her collection wasn't very big, but it was enough to make me feel much closer to her even though she passed on almost two years ago. There was one postcard in particular that touched me in an unexpected way. It was a postcard from Twenty Mule team Canyon in Death Valley, CA. I always knew she liked nature and the outdoors. She was the one that introduced me to National Geographic magazines and Wild America on T.V. But I never knew she also liked this place. I really wish I would've known. Even with that feelling of regret, I felt happiness. Happiness that we were more alike than I thought.
Grandma's Twenty Mule Team Canyon Postcard ~ 1970s
Even though I missed that opportunity with my grandmother, I'm really glad I took my mother to Death Valley before she passed. One of the special moments we shared out there was hiking through the Natural Bridge. We talked, collected colored rocks, and had a really great time. Moments like those weren't too common in our relationship unfortunately, but those good times are what I'll keep forever...along with the rocks we brought back. I haven't been able to visit Death Valley or any other national park this year, but I'm definitely looking forward to some cooler weather so I can take some trips this fall & winter. I can't wait to make new memories, and of course I'll keep them close to my heart with each visit.
Mom and I at the Natural Bridge Death Valley, CA 2010
Another precious find in my Grandmother's belongings were some snapshots of a trip to Sequoia National Park when I was young. I have one memory from this trip and it was when we drove through the knocked down tree. Actually, I haven't been back there since these pictures were taken and it is definitely time to revisit parks I've been to, as well as see parks I've yet to visit. Parks they wanted to visit. Life is simply too short and I don't need another reminder of that fact.
With Grandma & Mom at Sequoia National Park 1985
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