grandmom – Madison Catholic Herald

“If I knew then what I know now” is a common opener for us senior citizens.

It is especially appropriate for things involving health care . . . the benefits of regular exercise, for example.

Granted, our Mamas got lots of exercise hanging out laundry, the Papas didn’t have power lawn mowers, and the kids didn’t get rides to school. Everybody walked everywhere.

Playtex or Jack LaLanne?

I just wish I had heard about exercise during my childbearing years in the late 40s and early 50s.

I expected to get back into shape by pulling on a Playtex rubber girdle. (Oh, the memory of sweating through that one!)

On March 22, 2012May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

The joy of watching grandchildren grow into adults

It’s common knowledge that grandparenthood is a well-earned reward for surviving parenthood.

You get all of the benefits of having an adorable child without the pain and responsibility. No pain of childbirth, no up-all-nights. No having to feed and clothe them.

Grandparenthood at age 40

I entered that lofty stage of grandparenthood at age 40. I remember rushing to the hospital nursery to see Jeff, my first-born grand, and announcing to the nurse, “I’m the baby’s grandmother.”

On February 15, 2012May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Grand Mom is one tech-happy granny

After celebrating my 84th birthday recently, I went to bed feeling more warmly loved than ever before.

I had heard from all 10 of my children and most of my grandchildren.

On January 18, 2012May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Following the recipe for a good life

During the holidays I love hearing from old friends, voices from my past; Charlotte, a “mother’s helper” who lived with us for her senior year of high school and now has grandchildren of her own; Tom and Betty, who taught with Bob in the ’50’s and shared our laughter and tears.

They were the short term relationships, the layers of love that add flavor and richness to our lives. The long term relationships were the foundation.

I thought of the analogy as I was making my seven layer taco dip for a New Year’s Eve party.

On December 18, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Change is not such a bad thing

Aging is all about changes. Some changes are in-evitable. Some are good. And some are plain difficult.

Changing seasons is welcome. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I stood sorting through my closet before dressing for church. The time for rusts and golds was past and it was too soon for Christmas colors. I picked purple.

An hour later as I walked into church, our sacristan grabbed my arm. “You remember that you’re a lector today, right?” I hadn’t, of course.

On November 16, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Faith of our Fathers

I am most thankful this year for my astonishing discovery that traveling in Europe is still possible in your 80’s as long as you have a young and loving travel companion.

I recently did it with my 26 year-old granddaughter, Hillary, and a fun-loving group of Luxembourg Americans. There were 29 of us plus three guides.

Touring the countryside

I loved the rides on the tour bus each day because they were never too long (Luxembourg is only the size of Rhode Island) and the scenery was magnificent.

On September 15, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Inspiration from my elders

Remember how you always looked up to the “older” ones?

When you were four, they were the six-year-olds; they went to school. But when you got to school yourself, it was the eighth graders who were the big shots, and to them it was the high school kids, who looked up to the college kids, etc.

On August 18, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Staying young through laughter

I learned about God’s humor from Sister Gregory, a delightful Franciscan nun who was staff advisor for my high school newspaper.

As editor, I had to “put the paper to bed,” meaning write the last headlines, cross all the t’s, and dot the i’s before going to press.

One night we had to work right through dinner time and both confessed we were hungry.

Sister excused herself and returned after a moment with a heaping, fragrant bowl of popcorn.

On July 21, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Farm fresh and fabulous

Some of my fondest memories of my childhood in the ‘30s were the Sunday afternoon visits to our country cousins.

We’d all pile into Daddy’s new model Chevy, (he sold them, so we always had a new one), drive the 20 miles or more to run in the fields, jump in the hay mow, and watch the animals warily, keeping a safe distance.

On June 23, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Happily fulfilled in old age

I was fascinated by an article I read this morning over my coffee and cereal.

It was in the July issue of Ladies Home Journal, and written by Michael J. Berland, president of a polling and research firm, who states, “Sure, her family makes her happy, but despite what society expects, a woman’s sense of fulfillment comes from being independent and having a sense of control over her own life.” He calls this the silver lining on that recession cloud because it has driven so many women to become actively involved in their family finances.