I have the world’s greatest grandparents.
Yes, I know. I’m sure a lot of people think that. And I’m sure they’re correct. Grandparents, by nature, tend to be pretty cool people. But I am so very grateful that the universe brought me Lee Roy and Linda Kalka.
You see, I was born Emily Shook. When Mom married Dad in 1994, my sister and I became Kalkas, which meant new grandparents.
From the very beginning, they treated me like all their other grandchildren. I was a Kalka, and I was their granddaughter. End of story.
That was one of the reasons I decided to move back to Chandler in 2023. Yes, I wanted to be close to my best friends,. But Papa and MarMar were getting older, and I wanted to spend as much time with them as I could.
I could go on for ages about all the little things that make me love them so hard, but I’ll try to edit myself. There are weekly phone calls and family gatherings.The random run-ins atWalmart.The jokes and laughs. But mostly, it’s knowing that no matter what, my grandparents have my back and love me. Even then, there’s a difference between knowing and knowing, if you can follow me.
I think the best story that really exemplifies this is my housewarming party. Papa and MarMar showed up and made themselves at home among the group of millennials. We were talking about sunburns, and I commented about how annoying it was that I couldn’t seem to be outside for longer than five minutes without a burn. Papa looked me in the eye and, in all seriousness, said, “Well, that’s strange. ‘Cause your dad doesn’t.”
It took me a minute, thinking he was talking about my bio dad but how could he when he never met him. I then realized he meant Dad-Dad. I glanced at MarMar, wondering if this was a senior moment or something else. I then found out that it wasn’t -- Papa has always seen me as his granddaughter to the point that he forgets sometimes I’m adopted.
I wasn’t exactly expecting that moment to mean so much to me. Again, Papa and MarMar had never treated me any differently from their other grandchildren. But, I think I needed it as a sign that I made the right decision in moving back to Chandler. I mean, now I go on movie dates with MarMar and her daughters. Papa randomly calls me to tell me random family stories or ask about something going on. It’s all worth it.
Oh, also, he now starts every phone call with, “I’d like to speak with the editor of the paper.” I keep telling him he doesn’t need to, but he gets a kick out of it. I love spending hours listening to him talk about growing up in Lincoln County on the farm and how excited he gets over new farm tech.
My grandmother is one of my biggest advocates. Anytime I call to vent about something, she’s ready to take to the streets on my behalf. She once told me, “If anyone is mean to you, just tell them you have a MarMar, and she’s meaner.” I mean, even my own best friend is a little terrified of her, though she loves MarMar just as fiercely as I do. MarMar has vowed that should anyone break my heart, she will personally deal with them.
She also told me once to wreak a little havoc and that she and Papa would cover my bail. No, I won’t go into details. And no, I didn’t wreak a little havoc. At least I know that should the time come again, I’ve got the backing and blessing of my grandparents.
I think we all need grandparents like this. I honestly hope that everyone out there has a Papa and MarMar. Or has had one. Lord knows, I would be lost at times without them.