heart to heart blog

THIS was my highchair each time I visited my Grammy and Peeps’ house for holidays and other family gatherings. Not only did I actually use this high chair at one point, but it was also my mother’s and her siblings’ when they were children. And yes, the photo above is the actual high chair. My grandfather, Peeps, was too stubborn to toss the rusted metal chair with the pathetic green cushion, in hopes that he would one day use it for a great-grandbaby. Unfortunately, he passed this year before any great-grandbabies were in progress.

I am single with no children, no nieces or nephews (hopefully one of my brothers will step-up to the plate soon!) and only two months into my role with Graco. Prior to this, “ole’ green” was the only knowledge I had of baby gear. Needless to say, when I saw the Blossom video for the first time, I realized that I was significantly deprived as a child and so were my parents.

Even more proof of my parents’ deprivation came last week as I was preparing for a photo shoot and I had to assemble the new Graco Snuggly Safari SweetPeace. I was staying with my parents in Marietta, GA so the assembly took place in their living room. As I started to put the parts together, I noticed my mom grew more and more interested and would make comments every few pieces, “What kind of swing is that?” Another piece…. “Wait, oh!” And the best comment came as I added the last piece of the base, “I guess, no more wind-ups?” Once I placed the seat into the base and plugged it in, fascination set in.

My mom and I stood over the seat for at least 45 minutes entertained by the different music it plays and the speeds of the swing. As my mom’s “grandbaby clock” ticked louder and louder, my dad came home from running errands. The pow-wow around the SweetPeace grew as my mom proceeded to show my dad all the features of the swing. My parents shared their fond memories about their old wind-up swing and were envious (maybe a little jealous) of the new products today. Mom and Dad would have a field day in the Graco show-room where we keep all of our shiny new products!

As far as we have come from this green, metal highchair and wind-up baby swing, these old, worn items still have significance in our lives and strike up conversations of celebrating holidays, family birthdays and laughs about “the old days” (who doesn’t love those stories?) And although I plan to make memories with my children around newly innovated baby gear, it wouldn’t feel right to retire “ole’ green” from our family gatherings.

As a tribute to my Peeps and his stubborn desire to put his first great-grandbaby in “ole’ green”, I’m sure the chair will make an appearance at a Thanksgiving down the road (even if we don’t end up actually putting our kids in there!) He would still be proud.

Share stories of your “ole’” baby gear…