Mi Abuelas y Abuelos

My Spanish Grandmothers & Grandfathers

I am the baby of my family, I came along when my

parents were in their late 30's.  Even among the cousins

of my generation I'm one of the youngest.

Sadly, that meant two of my Grandparents had

 passed away before I was born and the other

two were gone when I was still too young to

appreciate them.  I do remember them

but the memories are a bit hazy.

I often wonder is this why I LOVE old people?

Did I miss out in my youth and now I'm making

up for lost times?  Many of my friends are

decades older than me ~ and they are a ton

of fun.  What stories of their interesting lives

I get to hear from them.  Honestly, much more

interesting than many of my contemporaries.

I have often thought I was born in the wrong

time period.  I love old buildings, old furniture,

old stuff and...old folks.

There is something that especially draws

me to older people in Spain that makes

me ask, "Can I be Spanish?"

The Spanish abuelas (grandmothers) always

seem to be in pairs.  They have their hair done,

wear old but well cared for coats, a nice purse

and good shoes and put on nice jewelry even

if they are going to the market.

And then there are the men...

Spanish men fascinate me.  The older

gentlemen wear flannel pants, a lovely

cashmere sweater and a tasteful tweed

jacket and of course, good shoes. 

It is Spain after all.

I wish I had a photo of the gents that

hang out outside the hat shop in

the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. 

They could teach GQ about men's fashion.

And I have no complaints about

the younger Spanish men either...