The Wonderful Round Trip

[susandennis]

Ian's entry today about his and Bill's tip on their light rail service in Sydney, Australia, reminded me of my Grandma's bus trip in Oklahoma City.

My Grandma was my mother's mother and she was the most perfect grandma in the entire world. She had marvelous smooth skin and wonderful big squishy arms that were always ready to give you the best hug you ever had. She lived in Oklahoma City and we lived all over the midwest and east coast. We only got to see her, normally, for a few weeks each Summer.

She knew exactly how to make those few weeks magical. My sister and brother and I were our only granchildren so she didn't even have that much experience at grandma-ing but she was a pro. She had cereal bowls that had animal pictures in the bottom. She let us play with anything in the house. Anything. We could play dress up in her every day clothes! She had a closet full of wonderful toys. She had candy in the candy dish in the living room and we could have one piece every morning, every afternoon and every evening after supper. She was just perfect.

One Summer Oklahoma City got air conditioned city busses. We woke up one morning and Grandma had on her 'going to town' dress. Something was up. After breakfast she told us we were going on a trip and to get our sweaters. Sweater? July? Oklahoma City? Had she snapped her perfect mind???!!!! We were going to get to ride on a city bus!!! An air conditioned city bus!!! I was 8 and my sister was 7 and my brother was 4. And we all trooped down to the corner and waited for the bus.

We got on and Grandma told us we could sit anywhere we wanted. Anywhere! And we didn't have to sit with each other either! She said we had to behave but we could even change our seats but only when the bus was at a bus stop. We rode all the way to the end of the line. The bus driver tried to tell Grandma that we had to get off but she had a talk with him and we got to hang on the bus for a bit and then ride all the way home.

Let me tell you that was one of the best adventures I ever had and I remember it like it was yesterday.

Now, do yourself a favor and go see Ian's fabulous photos of their trip.

Comments

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

My first bus experience was at my grandmothers, too. It can't even compare to yours.

I don't remember you talking about a sister before, just your brother.

[susandennis]

I can be charitable about my brother when the mood strikes. The mood never strikes with my sister. She's one of those around whom the world revolves. The less said the better...

Re:

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

OK, Nuff Said.

[androkles.livejournal.com]

Thanks Susan - it was a great afternoon, and probably the sort of thing I should be doing more of. Just for the hell of it - the fun of it - the thrill of it. And the memory of it, via photography.

Aren't grannies just great!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you for a great story. And thank you for recommending the photos. I almost over-skimmed them.