Today I came across a photo of my Grandpa Baldwin. It made me get watery eyes and have happy thoughts. He was one of my favorite people ever. I thought I would share some of the memories I have of him:
At my house: As a little child it was always exciting to have him and grandma come and visit. We only had a three bedroom house, and all of the bedrooms were in use. So, my room was the room that had a double bed and therefore I got to sleep on the couch when they came. I didn’t mind at all, especially after all of the thanks and compliments I got for doing it.
For fun Grandpa would take one leg and one arm and have my dad take the other side. He would then take us over to the door and wack our rears against the door – it always generated lot of smiles and laughs! I think I just loved having the attention.
Also, whenever any of us children would leave the house when he was there he would call out, “Remember who you are, and choose the right!”
At his house: Grandpa and Grandma lived in a small, remodeled chicken coop behind my Aunt Serena’s house in Blackfoot. The ironic thing about that is he despised chickens! He hated eggs or eating chicken. If you passed them under his nose he would get a funny face.
When younger my grandpa upon seeing me would sing “Jodi Podi, pudding and pie – kissed the boys and made them cry…”
He would also take you on his knee and bounce you up and down to our delight.
When I grew up a little and started singing and playing the violin he would make me perform for a pink peppermint candy located always in the same pink dish.
He and grandma served 3 missions…one of them was on a Salt Lake Church History mission. I went down with the orchestra to perform at Christmas time and they came to see me. After that, he always greeted me as his favorite violinist.
The Saturday before Christmas all of the extended Baldwin Family gathered for the annual Christmas Party complete with a visit from Santa Clause! I thought this was just great. Grandpa would always read or tell the story of little orphan Annie and give every family a box of oranges.
So you might be wondering why the title, “Grandpa Gussy”. Well, he would call any of us grandkids gussy as he probed us and teased us with his cane. It became quite a game – especially for the great grandchildren, mine included.
On the frivolous things: One thing I joke about inheriting from Grandpa was his capability to be grouchy. Maybe I should say it is a learned trait – who knows? He could be get grouchy at times, but not as often as he was funny.
He was a good story and joke teller. One of my favorites was about a missionary that went to someone’s house and saw a bowl of peanuts sitting on the table. He was told to eat them up…after the visit they thanked him for eating those peanuts, because they weren’t able to do anything except suck the chocolate off of them.
On the important things: I still remember his request for me to read the Proclamation on the Family with Stephen often.
He had a wonderful testimony of the gospel which showed through his actions. When we sang Families Can Be Together Forever at a special Family Home Evening the night of his viewing, I couldn’t help but get excited about the truth of those words. I knew he would be happy in heaven seeing his family like that.
Grandpa was also very strict about being punctual! He did not like it when people arrived late for sacrament meeting or any event for that matter.
I love this man and am so glad that I was able to learn from him and get to be a part of his family. I love you Grandpa Gussy!
Comments:
Lex,Mason,and Lily said…
We love you too Grandpa!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:18:32 PM
Amy said…
I don’t think you’re Grumpy! I loved Grandpa Gussy too. He was always so kind to me and teased me just as much as everyone else. It made me feel that I belonged to the family.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:40:57 PM
Scott Baldwin said…
Great post Jodi. For a long time I called my kids goose. Then I converted to goosey. Now, I call them gussy, in honor of Grandpa. What a wonderful man!
Saturday, February 23, 2008 2:28:18 PM