My Grandparents

Growing up as a child, my father's parents lived in Mississippi. So, needless to say, we did not travel a lot to see them. Daddy Dewey (my grandfather, Dewey Howard) died when I was young, so I don't have many memories of him. Mother Howard (my grandmother, Dolly Howard) used to come and stay some with us or my Aunt once in awhile. I can remember her biscuits and red eyed gravy! They always had fresh vegetables from their garden, so food was plentiful and good. But, after my mother and father split up, we really lost touch with her as well. She has since passed away.

My mother's parents were already divorced when I was young. My grandfather, Porter Barnard, owned a fish camp called Porter's Fish Camp, in Fernandina Beach and was remarried. The times that we did visit him were slim as his wife, Dora, did not get along with our family. My grandmother, Georgia Herring, lived in Jacksonville. She had a 2 story house but only lived in part of the upstairs. The other rooms and apartments were rented out to borders. We visited Jacksonville a lot and even lived there for awhile after my parents split up. She often drove to Orlando, bringing some of her borders, to see us. She was truly my closest grandparent. She took me to Macy's when I was around 10 or 11 and bought me a canopy bedroom set. She told me to pick out whatever bedspread and canopy cover that I wanted. Another time, she bought me a fancy new bicycle, it was a brand new type that had high handlebars and a psychedelic banana seat. (now I am telling my age) For me, those two instances stick out in my mind. We were a poor family as we were growing up, not destitute, but did not have any extravagances. My grandmother was not rich but always wanted to give what she could. Each trip that she made to Orlando, her trunk was full of items that she purchased at Goodwill and she would open it up and pull out anything that she thought you could use. Most of the time, I would take the items and thank her and give them away after she left. It made her feel special and I never wanted to hurt her feelings. She always gave me grandmotherly advice and I am sure that you will hear more stories about her later.

As I look back on the memories of my grandparent's, I realize how much I want it to be different for me and my grandchildren. I want to be involved in their everyday lives. I don't want to just be around on the holidays. My mother was a "great" grandmother to both of my boys and was always around for them and me. I will talk more about her later.

I think that the extended family is so important for children growing up and now days it seems that people are getting away from that. Times are changing! But, with the economy, I think that you will see more and more families pulling together to make ends meat! I always say that things happen for a reason and you have to look for the good in everything. Well, with the bad economy, families are becoming closer. That's not a bad thing!