I came up with the title “My Grandma Was Green” because it seemed catchier than “My Grandparents Were Green.”  Who is Grandma?  “Grandma” represents each of my grandparents as well as others of their generation.  It also represents your grandparents as you share your stories.

Both sets of my grandparents were born around 1930 covering the years 1929, 1930 and 1931.  My paternal grandmother passed away two years ago.  My paternal grandfather and my maternal grandparents are still surviving.  My husband’s maternal grandparents were both born in 1925 and are alive as well.  His paternal grandparents were born in 1917 and 1919.  Unfortunately, his paternal grandmother passed away in May just one week shy of her 90th birthday.  His paternal grandfather also passed away a few years prior. 

I am particularly interested in examining stories from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s.  These years covered my grandparents’ younger days as well as when they married and started their own families.  Each of these three decades encompasses a significant historical event.  The 1930’s entailed the Great Depression.  The 1940’s were punctuated by World War II.  The 1950’s is when many of the modern conveniences I now take for granted first made their appearance.

Interviewing my surviving grandparents and others of their generation is a key part of this project.  I will use excerpts of my interviews as well as other stories people share to guide me as I try to live like “Grandma.”  I will post my interview questions for others to view and use.  Each person I interview will become an official member of my “panel of experts.”  If you have a story you want to share, please email me at april@mygrandmawasgreen.com.