In Memory of Grandma

Growing up, I was lucky enough to live 15 minutes away from my Grandparents house, a three story yellow house set in the Oakland Hills with a breath taking view of San Francisco. Going to their home was always an adventure. From their laundry shoot, where we would throw stuffed animals down a hole in the wall and magically they would appear two stories below to their lemon trees where we would test our self-torturing skills by trying to eat a lemon whole.

Another magical element of visiting Grandma and Grandpa Smith was their Game Cabinet. As child it was as if I entered a time machine and went back in time and was able to experience all the games my mother played with as a child. Wooden puzzles of dogs and ducks, cards, and our favorite game of Raco among many other games and activities lined the shelves.

Christmas Eve was a big event in my family and the one day where traditions ran amuck. Some of these traditions included a Christmas Eve ham, red Jello, homemade raspberry jam, and a kids table, where being the youngest grandchild, I was forever destined to sit at. Proceeding dinner a “well rehearsed” play of the Nativity was reenacted with my sister Kim as the Angel, my brother Justin as Joseph, I as Mary, and a 1950’s doll as baby Jesus. Between the activities of the night at some point someone would bring out the game Raco, a game that could be played and enjoyed by all ages.

So in memory of Grandma Smith some of her grandkids got together and enjoyed a few rounds of good ole Raco outside in perfectly warm California weather.  I emphasize the word “enjoyed” because we played 5 games and Jodi won all but one. I attribute that to all the extra years of practice she had playing at Grandma.