How will your grandchildren remember you? When I think about the only grandparent I knew, my grandmother on my dad’s side, I remember that she made delicious sugar cookies; she always had a treat for us and would sit on the step with us while we ate our cookies or chips. I remember her peeling apples, hanging clothes on the line and never allowing us to have scissors. (Her oldest daughter had fallen with a pair of scissors when she was a small child and lost the sight in one eye do to the accident). She would tell us to get our nighties on when it was time for bed, and we would say, “Grandma, we wear pajamas, not night gowns.”

My grandmother lived in the same house we did. She had a kitchen and living room on the main level and her bedroom was the first room at the top of the stairs. She died when I was 7 years old. I remember neighbors and friends sitting with her toward the end to give my parents a break to run errands and so that my mom could get some sleep when Grandma required round the clock care. But most of all I remember the cabinet that grandma had that was full of photos of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had raised six children, mostly by herself and she was so proud of her family. She loved the visits from all of her family and everyone loved to see her. I remember many Sunday afternoons when there would be many family members that stopped by to see grandma and I would have cousins of all sorts to play with. She was respected by her family, friends and neighbors. There was never any doubt in our minds or hearts that our grandmother loved us, you just knew she did! She was a hard working lady with a heart of gold. She raised six children that were just like her and also cared for many of her grandchildren through some very tough times.

As you spend time with your family, are you making memories that will last for generations to come? You are, whether you realize it or not. And some of the best memories are not doing something spectacular, but are just taking the time to be with each other. You may be sitting on the porch watching traffic go by, or watching it rain, or playing cards or just discussing what happened to each of you that day — that’s what history is, what has happened — simple or spectacular — it’s all in the perception of the beholder. We are all rich in knowledge, don’t be afraid to share a little of your insight with those you love.

The museum is busy preparing for fair week when we will have extended hours and admission to the museum is free with your fair admission. Our gate by the church will be open Tuesday from noon to 4:45 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:45 p.m. We hope you will take this opportunity to stop by and see us and all the changes that have taken place at the museum and all the projects in progress in the village.

August will be a busy month with a Cemetery Bus Tour, Echoes from the Past, A Journey into History cemetery program, and AARP defensive driving class and a library lock-in. Be sure to ask for details on these programs when you stop to see us during the fair. How old would Albert Miller Lea have been this month? And what day was he born? Watch for the answer in my next article.

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum in Albert Lea.