I think about those summers more often than I expect to. They come back in small ways, usually when I’m doing something ordinary. I’ll see lightning bugs in the yard or hear a movie playing late at night, and it pulls me right back to Grandma’s yellow house. I remember how easy everything felt there, and how she moved through her days without hurry. She didn’t try to teach us anything, yet I learned from her anyway.
I didn’t understand it at the time, but she gave us a kind of freedom that felt safe. She let us explore, make mistakes, and find our own fun. She didn’t hover or worry out loud. She trusted us to figure things out, and that trust settled into me in a way I didn’t notice until years later.
When I think about those summers now, I don’t focus on the little stories as much as the feeling they left behind. There was an ease to those days, a quiet confidence in the way Grandma moved through the world, and it settled into me without my noticing. It shaped the way I understand comfort and steadiness and the kind of presence that makes a place feel safe.
I didn’t know it then, but I was learning from her every summer. I still am.
Thank you so much, kind friends, for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting! You are important!
Featured image crafted with Copilot, supervised by cats.
↬ Copyright © 2026 | KL Hawke & booomcha.com | All Rights Reserved. ↫
15 comments
We miss you, Kymber. Are you okay?
Kymber, what great memories. You have such a talent for expressing what everybody thinks but doesn’t know how to put into words 😎
Hey Kymber, I didn’t know how else to write to you. Are you okay? I miss your posts. I hope all’s well there! xxxxxxx
I didn’t get to stay all summer or even overnight, but visiting Grandma Lennie, mt Granddad;s third—or was it fourth —wife was a once-a-year treat every summer, for a few years before she passed. My brother Nate would head out to feed the chickens and I would either sit and listen or explore outside closer to the house. While he gleefully showered chicken backs with feed, I’d hang back afraid f getting my bare legs pecked. I did find the old pedal-driven grindstone on the other side of the house AWAY from the chickens! I was just a baby when Mom’s Dad was alive, but we hit it off real fast—kindred spirits!
I feel the same way about my grandma. I miss her.
The most powerful teaching does not come from words but by action. Cool Grandma lived her teaching so you could live a life of her example. Oh, for more Cool Grandma’s in this world. Always happy to read Gandma’s stories. Thank you for sharing Kymber.
I love this story. I never met my grandparents, but your story brings fond memories of days spent with my aunt in Michigan. We used to watch fireflies, and pick apples and berries. Then we would hang out in the kitchen and listen to her stories. The kitchen was the hub of delicious food and fun back in the day. Thanks Kymber. 💖
Awww, reminds me of visiting my grandmas.
Hi Kymber, it’s wonderful that your grandmother had such an impact on your life.
i love how you described the steadiness of her presence. that example teaches us more than any lecture or words ever could. thank you for this inspirational piece. Mike
Grandmas are usually more easy-going than mothers, and yours gave you some wonderful memories. 💖 My German grandma was like that. 🙂
Mom wasn’t all that close to either Gramma as one lived far away and the other one was nice but different. She was super close to her great aunt and she still misses her so even though she passed away in 1983. For mom she was like a second mom only fun plus, not much discipline. Great childhood memories from staying with her. Glad you have the memories from your Gramma.
Grandmas are good like that. I have similar memories of my grandpa.
It’s funny how we never realize how our environment affects us until we are older. Love this
Good morning