Grandma & Grandpa Straight

My cousin had the page above as an insert in her wedding program. (If you click on it - you can read it.) This added a very special part to her wedding. My grandparents were amazing people.

My grandpa was a pastor in the Pilgrim Holiness Conference for many years. (That would make me a PGK - I guess... ha ha.) He also ran a print shop called The Pilgrim Press. If I close my eyes... I can still imagine the smell of the ink inside his little shop. He would let us watch him use the big paper cutter or run the little printing press. He was a visionary ... and put actions to his plans to relocate the Massena Church. He loved going for drives, feeding the birds, and getting ice cream. I think that he also loved to chase fire trucks... unless that is only my Aunt Rach. If you see a fire truck go by - you hop in your car and follow. (Seems a tad odd... but that's entertainment in a small town.) Also, the most memorable thing about my grandpa was that when we would kiss him... he'd let out a loud WHOOOOOOO - as if you had a powerful kiss... which of course made a kid want to give another kiss.

My grandma was an amazing woman. Although she was getting older, she took care of my brother, sister, and I. She would walk down the hall to the room where we slept... and woul get us up for school by saying, "Woo Hoo!" (Loudly clear her throat) "Woo Hoo! Roll out the barrel!" She would comb our hair and franticly yell as our bus was stopping out front. My grandma made the best sweet tea I have ever tasted. She was an excellent seamstress and taught my sister and I how to sew buttons etc. My grandma made the BEST Saturday morning breakfast... although it was more like brunch by the time it was made. She was an incredible cook all around... Her Sunday pot roast, spaghetti, Goulash, and Ham bone soup - just to name a few. She was also faithful to pick up children for Sunday school. Although she wasn't rich, she would give her students 5 dollars each quarter for attendance. My Grandma instilled in me a love for God (and scrabble).

My Uncle Don put together an awesome power point that was played at the reception. You can watch this on his blog. http://www.hubmub.blogspot.com Then, Dwight Rine had a few kind remarks. Afterwhich, we had a balloon release outside. It was beautiful. Thank God for such an awesome heritage.... of love, family, and faith.