Wax Paper and Sandwiches

As a little kid I can remember after my mom finished the dinner dishes, she would get ready to prepare my dad's work lunch.  

She would pull out the old black lunch pail  and clean it out.  Then she would find the little Tupperware pie container to put a piece of pie from dinner into it.  Then she would put a couple of sandwiches together.  She would make them perfect for my dad.   Then she would get the wax paper out and pull out enough to wrap each sandwich.  She would wrap them like a present.  I guess it was like a present for dad.  He had a very good lunch prepared by the woman who loved him.  Sometimes she would slip a note into the lunch pail for him. 

Oh, the simple days.  I miss them. 

                                 Grandma's Card Parties

When I was growing up it was always fun to spend the weekend when my grandma would be having a card party.   I remember how much fun it was to help her shop and prepare the food.   

We would go to the local Felpaush Grocery store in Hastings.  Grabbing a shopping cart Grandma would put be in the basket and I would get to go for the ride going down the many colorful aisles of food watching Grandma carefully choosing the items she would need to make her menu.  

I had a lot of fun helping her pick out different treats for the party.  My Grandma's favorite was Brach's Candy.   I can remember trying to help her decide which box to choose.  All looked so good to me.  I would have been happy to have one of each!  After a bit of thinking Grandma would let me pick out two boxes.  One for the card party and the other for me for later.   

For some reason I can remember those boxes of wonderful chocolate.  It was a big deal to a kid.  It seemed so special in that box.  

After we got back from the store Grandma would whip up a couple different batches of cookies.  She would get the percolator going with steaming coffee.   I would help her set up the table with her special tea cups and plates.  We would put a fancy table cloth on one of the card tables for the food and then set up the others for the card players.  

It all seemed so special.  And as I look back at those days now, it was special!  To spend time with my Grandma and get to be included in the "big peoples" fun!   They would always let me play and Grandma would set next to me to give me a helping hand.   

I miss those days... I miss my Grandma.    It is sad that those days are no more.