A blog by Jorge Garcia.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Memory keeps playing in my head

As a child I remember eating frozen jelly doughnuts at my grandparents house. 

Well, we didn't eat them until we had cooked them in the toaster oven first.
They were warm and crispy on the outside and HOT LAVA inside but they were awesome. 

I remember going to the store (I believe it was Lucky's) and my grandpa pulling them from the freezer bin. 

I'd eat mine, while watching Hong Kong Phooey and the Godzilla cartoon, with a dessert fork that had two tines that came together like a V in the middle (it always reminded me of a sleestak's hand).

It's a good memory. I feel warm and safe when I go there. 
My grandfather passed away recently. I am going to miss him.  


53 comments:

My name is Jodie. said...

Sincerest condolences to you and your family, Jorge.

Jeff said...

So sorry to hear about your grandfather. I lost mine a few years ago and that's all I seem to do is remember him and miss him at the same time. I remember waking up when I was really young and going into the living room to watch cartoons with him =]

Laurie said...

I'm sorry for your loss. That's a great memory!

jen said...

Grandpas are the best for cultivating interesting culinary habits, aren't they? So sorry to hear of your loss. Next week marks two years since losing my own. While the missing hasn't much subsided, I'm happy to say the memories haven't either. :)

Amanda said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandfather.

I remember my Grandma always used to color pictures of windmills with me, and she had these cookies that looked like windmills too (she was dutch). She died when I was 8, and 15 years later I still miss her just as much.

I wish I could go back and relive those moments, because when we're children, we don't realize that we won't always have them.

E said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jorge. Those memories are the best, though. They make grampas live forever.

Jennifer said...

So sorry to hear about your grandfather. I lost mine 10 years ago... I still miss him, but I'm grateful to have been old enough to have great memories, like you have this one.

Anonymous said...

Im sorry about your loss - its a great memory you chose to share with us.
My Grandpa passed away 17½ years ago and all I seem to remember, is him sitting in his favorite corner of the living room drinking coffee and smoking all day.. he had bad legs and didnt walk very well.

Cool Dad said...

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you can enjoy the memory of what a cool guy he was.

SlapTheCat said...

Sorry to hear it... I miss my grandpa too... but more importantly, I can't believe you referenced "Sleestaks"!!! (Or Hong Kong Phooey, for that matter)

"Land of the Lost" rocked!!! And not just because I had a crush on Holly...

TheUnity (Siv) said...

I am sure he was a great inspiration to you, where ever he is..may he rest in peace.

On a brighter note, I love doughnuts! Glad to hear that you have preserved such a great memory!

Melissa said...

Hi Jorge,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandfather. I have great memories of my grandparents. My grandmother would love to tell everyone how she went to the premiere of Gone With The Wind in Atlanta. My granddaddy would get so sick of the story, he would start farting just to piss her off. What a great memory !!

Honeybell said...

So sorry Jorge, but thank you for sharing your memories with us.

Heather (a.k.a. Bella) said...

I'm sorry, Jorge. :(

Bethany James Leigh Shady said...

i wonder if those jelly donuts tasted as good as the mini quiches of mine that you ate this morning.

sassa1971 said...

I know how it is my friend to loose someone you love. Four years ago my mother died at her 52's. Still can't believe how this thing happened and always have memories of her. I guess people you love always remain in you memory and you always miss them. Thats what happens to me buddy 4 years now.

Take care buddy!
Your LOST fun from Athens Greece, Dimitris

Cheryl said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is great that you have fond memories to comfort you.

litlnemo said...

I am very sorry for your loss.

You do have wonderful memories to enjoy. I only have one memory of my paternal grandfather, who died when I was 3. He was reading me the poem "Purple Cow" and laughing at something I said. I guess that's not a terrible way to be remembered...

redelf said...

thats a really wonderful memory.
I lost my father 13yrs ago. My best memory is a roadtrip we took as a family to Colorado. My dad laughing in the front seat as we all listen John Denver.
My best memory of my grandfather was the day he got me a tire swing and riding in the back of his pickup truck.

:hug: Memories are great.

maven said...

Sorry for your loss, Jorge. I lost my father 5 years ago, and it's still fresh in my memory. But, like you, I've got a lot of good memories and some of them do involve food! LOL

Please Type Legibly said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather, Jorge. My grandmother is going downhill, and I know what you mean about food and memories. With her, it's chocolate pies. Fried catfish that my grandpa caught that day. Homemade biscuits. Cornbread (she swears I make it wrong because mine is cakelike and I use too much sugar - LOL).

I'd forgotten about Hong Kong Fooey and "Land of the Lost"....good stuff....

Rowie68 said...

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Jorge. My deepest sympathies to you & your family. Hang on to those memories tight. They are what keep my dad alive for me & I am able to share them with my son so that even though he didn't get to meet his grandpa, he loves him just the same.

Jennifer said...

I am very sorry for your loss, Jorge. What a special memory for you to keep him close.

IslandLaurel said...

Wow, you brought back a memory for me when you mentioned Lucky's!

I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa, I lost my grandpa recently too. I think it's really special that you have that memory to return to that makes you feel warm inside!

Lynn Faruque said...

So sorry, love~~~~I'd been asking about your grandfather in a few posts, I remembered you mentioning him a while back.

You 're gonna have lots of memories of moments you shared just the two of you.

Big hug~~~

Tena

Roman said...

Cannollis and X-Men. That's my grandpa memory. Cannollis and X-Men. I can see why you'd cherish your jelly donut memory. Those are some of my best ones.

elainemarieg said...

Thanks for sharing with us Jorge. I'm glad you have the memories to comfort you.

Ruthio said...

There's alot to be said for ggod memories. I can close my eyes and see every detail of my Gran's flat. I love it. Still makes me cry though! She had a draw in her firdge full of chocolate, I loved visiting her!!

Topanga said...

Sorry about your loss, Jorge. Grandfathers are special. You sound like you have some great memories of him which is something you'll always have. Remember him with a smile and keep that warm and safe feeling in your heart. That's how he'd want it.

Columbus Cheap Chick said...

I'm sorry about your abuelo, Jorge.

I love your memories! You definitely grew up during the same era I did. The good news is, you can share things from your childhood like Sleestaks and Hong Kong Phooey with your future children, thanks to DVDs and the internet!

WatsonCrick said...

The strongest memory I have about my maternal grandma is the scent of her hairspray. It is not much used anymore; other brands and scents have conquered the market. But every now and then when I walk down the streets I get a whiff of that scent. Then I have the memory of watching my grandma standing in her tiny bathroom, fixing her thin hair surrounded by a big cloud of hairspray. When I smell that scent in the streets it feels to me as if her ghost gives me a quick kiss, it feels warm, leaves the impression she is still around and it makes me smile.
Embrace the links you have to your grandma through, food, scent and sound. Close your eyes when it happens and give her a hug. It will give the impression she is still around, it has helped me over the loss of my grandma.
Chin up! Nat

WatsonCrick said...

ooops...sorry...freudian typos...
I ment:
Embrace the links you have to your grandpa through food, scent and sound. Close your eyes when it happens and give him a hug. It will give the impression he is still around, it has helped me over the loss of my grandma.

crystalia said...

So sorry for your loss, Jorge.. But that's a beautiful memory.. :)

And OMG the mini-quiches! LOL :)

Chelsea said...

Sleestak hands! I'm the ONLY PERSON in Texas who got that reference. Was Land of the Lost only on TV in LA? Ever since moving to TX nobody understands my Sleestak references, which are usually about my husband's wonky hair.

Capcom said...

So sorry about your Grandpa, Jorge! :-(

I rememember Sa-ree-sa-takka! :-)

Betsy said...

It's hard to find the right words when a person loses someone close to them. I've been thinking about it since yesterday, and I know that I'm no closer to the right words than I was when you posted this.

I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss, Jorge. While I know it's no match for having him sitting right next to you, it's memories like those that will keep him with you always. I hope that you're all holding up okay.

mabochda said...

sorry to hear about your grandpa. my mom passed away 6 yrs ago and my aunt 3. they were my best friends. i still miss them everyday. think of the happy times, the laughter and the words of wisdom and he will always be with you.

bignivanut said...

Sorry about your lost. I lost my grandfather almost a year now and I am still crying.

When my aunt phoned to let us know we wasn't doing well, my family and I travelled 4 days to see him. We got to see him and he got to see his great grand children. 3 days later he died.

May your grandfatherhe live forever in your memory.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for your loss! Sounds like you have some great memories though! My grandpa (aka Oppie) passed away in 2004 and sometimes it feels like just yesterday :-(

M@ said...

My grandma passed away on 4.19
I hear ya man. I know what it feels like to go through those memories also. I'm sorry.

Terri said...

I am deeply saddened to hear of your bereavement in the loss of your grandfather. I am touched and honoured that you choose to share your personal grief with us.

Please take time to ensure your well-being as you allow your soul to nurse its fragile, tender wound at this time. You matter so very much to so very many.

We will hold you near in our thoughts, prayers and reflections -hoping that you find consolation at this time.

Carolate said...

I'm so sorry. But you can always go to your memories and he will be there forever.

Kisses!

Stufsocker said...

Aw :( Sorry to hear that. Keep the memories close and pass the good feelings forward. That's the kind of legacy I'd hope to leave.

Yovanna said...

Hong Kong Fooey? Oh my...we're dating ourselves! Haha. I remember that. We must be around the same age (36). I"m sorry to hear about your g-pa. You're truly fortunate to have had as long as you've had with him. My grandparents died when I was very young, and they all lived far away so I only really knew my grandmother. I would've loved to have g-parents in my life. My husband is fortunate to have his g-ma still.

Unknown said...

Hi. So sorry about your grandfather. I am very close to my grandfather and my grandmother and I don't like even thinking about the day they pass. I have memories of eating jelly doughnuts as a young girl with my Papaw as well. Though, they made me sick and to this day, I can't stand them. Also, on a side note, we have a Lucky's here in Scottsboro, AL where I live.

kats said...

My grandpa used to cut green grapes in the middle and remove the seeds for me. It was the cutest thing! (yes, I'm from a time before seedless were created...)

Miss Scarlett said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Grandpa Jorge.
I still miss my Grandpa 11 yrs later.
He always had butterscotch Lifesavers in his pocket for me.

Debra said...

My heart goes out to you on the loss of your grandfather. I'm so sorry. He's still so alive in your story, your memory, the fact that to pull that reminder up can still make you feel the brand of safe and loved that you always felt with him. To have memories like those to hold on and to know a love like that which lasts far beyond the physical presence is his greatest forever legacy to you.

Guinevere said...

Jorge,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Grandpas can be one of the best friends in your life. Is sounds like you have great memories of him and, soomehow, that really does help. I know this is late in coming but I kept forgetting to check your blog. Now I'm catching up. :-D
Here's a hug. (hug)

heat said...

i'm totally late on this.
doughnut memories can't ever be anything but good.
i'm sorry to hear about your grandpa - i know how it feels.
I agree with Jen re: culinary habits AND Hong Kong Phooey rocks!

LaurenLikesLions said...

I'm a little late to the game here... but I wanted to let you know that my grandmother used to do the same thing for us. You'd open her freezer and it was like a brick wall of individually sealed baggies of jelly donuts. I never really fancied them much until she died 7 years ago. Ever since, Jelly donuts have become my preference. It's a shame I was too jaded to enjoy them when she was around. Oh well.

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Angela said...

Hi Jorge
I'm a big fan of Lost and of yours, and recently started reading your blog. I recently lost my grandfather, who i was extremely close to. It was nice to read your memory- it's those seemingly simple memories that are the best, because they are what made every regular day special. Actually, like another commentator on your blog, my grandfather also always had butterscotch candies in his pocket to give to me too, even up to right before he died- and i'm 29. Anyway I hope that you are able to remember your grandfather now without too much pain- well at least with a good amount of happiness at the good memories to balance the sadness of the loss. I"m sure he was very proud of you.
Angela