Redhead Ramblings: Lessons I learned from my Grandparents

National Grandparents Day was Sunday and as each year comes and goes, it makes me appreciate my grandparents even more than I already do. 

I consider myself lucky to still have both of my grandmas with me. One of my grandpas passed away unexpectedly in 2016, the other in 2019 and I would give anything to be able to spend one more day with them and tell them about all I’ve learned, seen and experienced. In honor of all four of them, here are some of the best lessons I’ve learned from my grandparents:

1. Family is one of the most important values to have. I have an extremely large family, mainly on my dad’s side as he’s one of five children. My Grandma Bev has 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and she still remembers all of our names and birthdays. All of us Johnsons get intense FOMO when we can’t be at the lake cabin or other family events. 

Growing up, I saw my Grandma Barb and Grandpa “Bubba” all the time. Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and my brother Sam and I went to their house instead of daycare. A good portion of my favorite memories have been with my family and grandparents and for them to instill my family’s values is something I cherish.

2. The simplest things are often the best. One of my earliest memories is going down to Grandma Barb’s garden with Bubba and picking cucumbers in the summertime. He taught me to use the paring knife so we could cut them into perfect circles and sprinkle them with salt. As much as I loved going to the park, zoo and other fun places with my Grandma Barb, I think the most fun I ever had in my childhood was playing in her basement all morning and afternoon, only taking a break to eat Mac and Cheese and watch PBS Kids around lunchtime. 

I’ve yet to find a view that rivals sitting next to my Papa Wayne on the porch swing at the cabin and watching the boats go by or the sunset. My Grandma Bev is one of the smartest and wittiest people I know. She kicks ass at crosswords, Bananagrams and has the meanest hands in any card game. I also thank her for passing down the “love to read smutty romance” genes to me as well.

3. Traditions and food are two of the best ways to bring people together. Traditions are such a big way families are shaped and there are ones I still look forward to all the time. As I mentioned earlier, I spent big holidays with Grandma Barb and Grandpa Bubba. While Grandma Bev and Papa Wayne also came down for Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July has always been a big holiday for them. As many of my aunts, uncles and cousins go up to our lake cabin and we put up decorations, watch the boat parade in the afternoon and light every kind of firework we can find for three or four days straight. For years, on Mother’s Day, we would go to the zoo in the morning and have burgers at night. While we don’t go to the zoo as often anymore, the annual cookout continues. 

Speaking of food, if I were to list the dishes important to me for my family, this would turn from an article to a cookbook extremely fast. Both of my grandmas are some of the best bakers and I always look forward to Grandma Bev’s pumpkin bars and Grandma Barb’s sugar cookies. Grandma Barb knows how to make the best lasagna and blueberry bread and Grandma Bev’s “company” corn casserole and her lefse is to die for. While both grandpas are no longer here, I know they are being channeled through me by Grandpa Bubba’s love for strong drinks and Papa Wayne’s love of black coffee. 

4. Caring for others is the best thing you can do. My grandparents have some of the biggest hearts and it’s clearly expressed. Papa Wayne loved spending time with all his grandchildren and taught all of us to fish (although I think I only picked up on casting in a line and baiting worms and minnows, not how to change lures and drive boats). My Grandma Bev always walks out of the cabin to greet us and ensures there’s a sweet treat and some lemonade around. 

Grandpa Bubba and I loved sitting together in their T.V. room and always offered his knee to sit on, usually watching the family dog run around. My Grandma Barb still calls my brother and I all the time and she calls us her “G.Ps” (good person) and that it’s the most important to be kind to everyone. If I can even be an eighth of what my grandparents are combined, I’ll consider that to be one of the greatest gifts ever. 

As I said before, I’m so grateful I’ve had such wonderful grandparents and cherish all the memories I’ve had with them. The most important thing I’ve learned from them is to love fully and wholeheartedly. The last words I said to both my grandpas before they passed were “I love you” and that’s how I end every phone call with my grandmas. I don’t take one day with my grandmas for granted as I know I didn’t with my grandpas. So, if you have grandparents, I please ask you to call them and tell them how much you love them. They truly are a gift and enjoy every second you have with them.

Caption: While my Grandpas were not with my Grandmas at my high school grad party, I could still feel their presence and wisdom with me. (Courtesy Emma Johnson)

Write to emma.johnson.5@mnsu.edu