Memories of Grandpa

Memories of Grandpa

Will

"Lo-do-de-do-do... lo-do-de-do-do..."

One of my favorite things about going to Grandma and Grandpa's house when I was a kid was making bread with Grandpa. I would wake up in the morning, poke my head out the door, and hear from the kitchen,"Lo-do-de-do-do... lo-do-de-do-do..." and I'd rush to go join him. Ifind myself absentmindedly humming that refrain all the time, in elevators or around my apartment. We baked all sorts of things together, from cinnamon rolls to danishes to brand new, originalconcoctions. Grandpa was always trying something new. It's one of the things I really loved about him -- he was unafraid of stepping out into the unknown and trying new things. He wrote books, painted pictures, ran for office. I remember one time, being at an ice cream store, and there was a young couple there with a baby, and Grandpajust waltzed up and started talking to them. It blew my eight year old mind that you could just talk to people you didn't know. And not just talk to them, but make them laugh and make them feel special, make them feel like he cared. And that wasn't just a one time thing – he did that all the time. It's something Grandpa was really great at and it's something I try to emulate in my own life.

Megan

My clearest, strongest memory of being Rollie Reynolds' granddaughter is dancing with him at the saddle club. It was always important to go to the mall to pick out dresses, and grandpa loved to help pick them out - he had very clear opinions on what was appropriate for pretty girls! I remember dancing in a twirly skirt, and being proudly introduced to everyone who would listen. I continue to love to dance, but grandpa will always be confused that I don't know the polka! 

Kerry

My favorite memory of Grandpa is making bread with him. He always brought a tall stool for me to stand or kneel on so I could see into the bread maker and he had to tell me to be patient when waiting for the yeast to be ready. He never cared that I ate half of the dough and asked me if we needed more flour. He always poured the salt into my hand to use as a measuring cup. It was so much fun to make cinnamon rolls, or loaves of bread and share it with the whole family. I still love to make bread and muffins and share. I will always think of Grandpa when I bake.