Omaha, Nebraska

Both of my parents were born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. They lived about 5 miles from each other and met in 9th grade when my Mom played the piano for a group that my Dad sang in. They both went to Benson High School and were basically high school sweethearts. They got married in 1970 and moved to Springfield, MO, maybe in 1976 or so. They moved to Ash Grove, MO, to the house that I grew up in, in 1985 and have been there ever since.

Growing up, we went on vacation to Omaha during the summer to visit family. My Dad had to work, so it was usually just my Mom, sister, and I who made the long trek up north. At that time, it took about eight hours to get to Omaha. Today, Ross and I can make it in six hours, sans kids. We would stay at my Gramma and Grampa Peterson's house for a few days, my sister and I would spend a few nights at Gramma and Grampa Ward's house, and we would visit my Aunt Linda (my Mom's sister) and Uncle Buz during the week we were in Omaha.

We always did fun things when we were up there. I remember Gramma and Grampa Ward would take us to a pizza place called Pefferoni's Pizza. We loved this place because when your pizza came out, it also came with a card telling you who made your pizza. And, we thought it was pretty neat that Gramma and Grampa would eat pizza and even drink Dr. Pepper!

Things have since changed over the years. We still go to Omaha, but it's maybe every other summer and for just a weekend, not a week. We visit Gramma and Grampa Ward and Aunt Linda and Uncle Dale now. Uncle Buz passed away in 1997; Grampa Peterson in 1991; and Gramma Peterson in 2008. Gramma and Grampa Ward are both still living, but Grampa recently moved into a nursing home and will not return to his house. He has dementia and at 89 years old, it's too hard for Gramma to take care of him alone at home. This past visit was a little different, not having Grampa at home. And quite honestly, a little sad going to a nursing home to see him. Nursing homes are just such a sad, sad place to me....

But, while we were there my Mom, sister, and I drove past Gramma and Grampa Peterson's house. Grampa built this house and it's where Mom grew up and where we spent our visits with them when we were little. It's always fun to me to drive by it and it's funny how my memories don't quite match up with the reality of what it looks like today! As my sister said, she doesn't remember the house being so close to the road. I thought the same thing, too! Grampa kept the yard in pristine condition and it's not quite there today, which is a little sad. Here's a video from driving by their house.

The house where Gramma Ward lives is where my Dad grew up. They actually lived in the small basement of the house first and then added on the upstairs sometime when he was growing up. Nothing has changed in their house from when we were kids. They have the same 50+ year old couch, same decorations, same glasses, plates, pretty much everything is the same. It's kind of comforting in a way.

It will be weird some day to not plan a trip to Omaha each summer to see family, but rather plan a trip just to see the city because we won't have anyone left to visit. I have fond memories of Omaha and hope I can make many, many, many more years of memories there before they end.

Gramma and Grampa Ward's house.

Gramma and Grampa Peterson's House