Gettin' His Kicks at 86
My Lost Summer is dedicated to my Grandma Ann, who, during my recovery, kept the journal on which the book is based. She died unexpectedly in 2001 just as I had started writing what ended up being Chapters 10 through 13—an essay for grad school. I was going to surprise her with the finished essay, but she never even knew I was working on it.
She and Grandpa Mike had been married 61 years when she died, and of course, they were best friends, traveling often, golfing and bowling in leagues, lunching with friends and generally staying active.
Grandpa’s 88 now (86 just made the title flow easier), and he still bowls. He golfs when he can though a couple years ago he developed asthma, which lays him up some hot Ohio summer days that confine him to the house.
Naturally, since he doesn’t travel or socialize so much in the evenings any more, he watches more television. Mark and I usually visit on a Saturday or Sunday, and sports programs play while we talk. One time, a commercial for the sitcom ‘Two and a Half Men’ came on, and Grandpa asked us if we’d ever seen it.
“We’ve seen it a few times,” Mark answered.
“I watch it all the time,” said Grandpa smiling. “Some of those things they talk about...” Here Grandpa widened his eyes, “Hooh, boy. And that little boy, he doesn’t understand none of it.” Grandpa chuckled.
Mark and I watch it regularly now. The topic is always sex, the details of which are hinted at by the characters. What gives the show its appeal is the young boy missing the innuendos or understanding them too literally.
Last night’s program was especially risqué, and after one laugh Mark said, “I can’t believe your grandpa watches this.”
That made me laugh even harder, thinking of my 88-year-old grandpa laughing at the same raunchy banter. I’m glad he still gets his kicks.
She and Grandpa Mike had been married 61 years when she died, and of course, they were best friends, traveling often, golfing and bowling in leagues, lunching with friends and generally staying active.
Grandpa’s 88 now (86 just made the title flow easier), and he still bowls. He golfs when he can though a couple years ago he developed asthma, which lays him up some hot Ohio summer days that confine him to the house.
Naturally, since he doesn’t travel or socialize so much in the evenings any more, he watches more television. Mark and I usually visit on a Saturday or Sunday, and sports programs play while we talk. One time, a commercial for the sitcom ‘Two and a Half Men’ came on, and Grandpa asked us if we’d ever seen it.
“We’ve seen it a few times,” Mark answered.
“I watch it all the time,” said Grandpa smiling. “Some of those things they talk about...” Here Grandpa widened his eyes, “Hooh, boy. And that little boy, he doesn’t understand none of it.” Grandpa chuckled.
Mark and I watch it regularly now. The topic is always sex, the details of which are hinted at by the characters. What gives the show its appeal is the young boy missing the innuendos or understanding them too literally.
Last night’s program was especially risqué, and after one laugh Mark said, “I can’t believe your grandpa watches this.”
That made me laugh even harder, thinking of my 88-year-old grandpa laughing at the same raunchy banter. I’m glad he still gets his kicks.
posted by Elizabeth Evans Fryer at 6:12 AM
1 Comments:
I have to tell you my grandma who passed away at 102 in her sleep.She was a swedish lady who drank beer and loved sex till the day she died.She out lived 3 boyfriends .After the 3rd one died she told me "Don't fix me up anymore,they all die on me"I sure miss her she was my buddy.
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