What Did You Do With . . .

Yes, beginning this article with a question – what did you do with … your grandparents? 

I absolutely adored my 4’10”, close to 300 pound maternal grandmother (Sarah “Hazel” Morgan Smith – great snuggling lap)).  Everyone loved her and one of the things we did together was decorate the relatives’ graves.  She always told me about those “we visited.”  Selling embossed stationery was something she did so I’d received some from her a few times with my name and address at the top.  I was thrilled – stationery honoring me!  Another item I distinctly remember is when her last brother Stanley passed away when I was five.  She would not let go of me and cried and cried all over me but Mom told me if I could soothe her in her sorrow to just suck it up and be with her.  I was happy to do it and as I get older, I see that I had a real plus being the only granddaughter (both sides)! 

So my maternal grandfather was Leland “Carl” Smith and he was the total opposite of my grandmother, guessing about 6’ and weighing around 155.  Think tall and thin!  He was a major reader, rarely sitting unless he had a book – okay, when pro wrestling was on, he’d (we’d) usually just watch that until it was off and then back to our books.  Kind of nifty that his great grandfather Simeon Smith was one of the instigators of the Senaca NY Library.  Pap (Carl) took me to the library quite a bit.  A WWI veteran, he was sick for life (shrapnel riddled in his legs), but he didn’t give up!  He wanted to see his three grands graduate from high school, marry and enjoy at least one of his great grandchildren – Nikki made him so happy!  We have wonderful memories of both the Smith grands.

Bazzanis up!  Loved my Italian grandmother who was with us (and all of her several great grands) until she was 82.  Born on All “Saints”’ Day we giggled about her birthday being named for her.  We’d talk for hours on her front porch and loved hearing all the tales (when she killed a very large black snake wrapping itself around her brother and up to his chest when she put it to its demise by grabbing its neck and squeezing until finally; and when she and my gpa’ eloping; their trip to America; her dad and gpa’s sense of humor – she definitely had a fun one as did my dad and I’m sometimes funny too!  I really could write a book of all the fun we had with my “Nonna.”

Actually, I’ve written quite a bit about her but little about my “Nonno,” Antonio (Tony) Bazzani.  He and his two brothers came to America when they were very young working in the coal mines.  At age 30, (my grandmother 15) he went back to Italy to  visit.  So, yep, she fell in love with “the American,” and he with her.  Ready to leave, at their reception he, her oldest brother and two or three guests all received an “invitation” to join the Italian Army.  He was with her brother all the time but one day Nonno was sent elsewhere and Tomaso was blown up on the Piave bridge with 1000 others.  Intro to America – a railroad strike and they were stuck in the closed-up Ellis Island – dark, dirty and damp with the men on one side and women and children the other – there for two weeks but finally “back home again in Indiana”. Don’t really think he was all that excited about kids but he’d play with the boys or hold me for maybe 10-15 minutes then he’d say Bosta (enough) and if we didn’t leave him alone, he’d let off a stream of cuss words (in Italian of course).  Okay, I seriously could write a whole book about all my grands, especially my Nonna – I’m a good baker – she was not but worked in a bakery because she could speak to the customers knowing 8 languages but otherwise, I think I’m just like her! Now, what did you do … with your grands?

For years, Karen Zach was the editor of Montgomery Memories, our monthly magazine all about Montgomery County. Her column, Around the County, appeared every Friday in The Paper of Montgomery County. Karen retired from all that a few years ago but sent us this gem to share with you. You can reach her at karen.zach@sbcglobal.net.