Oleo.

I loved my grandma.

(She is the one on the right side of the car.)

She was my bestest buddy.

We were pen pals.

We were phone pals.

I have many wonderful memories of her.

She lived far away.

Whenever I missed her, I would sneak into the bathroom and smell Mentholatum.

My grandma always smelled of Metholatum.

And for that reason, I will always love Mentholatum.

Raise your hand if you have never heard of Mentholatum.

It does exist.

I promise.

The last time I saw my grandma was in October of 2006.

My mom and I took my girls for a visit.

Daisy Mae, who was 1 1/2 at the time, did not like Great Grandma.

Except she called her, "Date-Damma."

Daisy Mae would never give Date Damma a hug.

Daisy Mae would never say hello to Date Damma.

I was getting quite frustrated with Daisy Mae.

"Honey, why will you not hug Great Grandma?"

And Daisy Mae looked at me, with her furrowed  brow:

"Me no like-a Date Damma.  He no talk-a-me."

It was true.

My grandma did not talk much anymore at that point.

But I still have memories of all our moments together.

I still have letters that she wrote to me.

I can recall many conversations.

"Honey, tell me, what kind of oleo do you prefer?"

"Huh?"

"What kind of oleo do you prefer?"

Oleo?

100 (meaningless) points to anyone who under the age of 67 who knows what oleo is.

 

My grandma passed away in January of 2007.

I miss her very much.

Today would have been her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!