Pepsi and Cheese

Our small house was a twin-home and the folks who lived in the twin part, next door, where an elderly couple who I called grandma and grandpa hatch. They were not my parents parents but they were very nice people. I still have a nativity that grandma Hatch gave me one year for Christmas and it is tradition to set it up the ceramic-hand-painted figurines in a prominent place every year during the holiday season. I loved to go over and visit with them and I think they liked having me come over.

My parents had a non-caffeine policy that was strictly enforced at home. As a little kid I didn't have any concept of what this meant. When I would go visit the neighbors grandma Hatch would always give me my very own can of soda to drink and a square of american cheese. I would then sit next to grandpa hatch, watch baseball, and enjoy this treat until my mom would come and get me.

Every time my mom came she didn't seem too happy at the delicious meal of Pepsi and cheese that I was enjoying and would always kindly take it away from me and explain the no caffeine rule to me and grandma Hatch again. I guess grandma Hatch didn't understand the rule any better than I did because every time I went over there I was offered the same deliciouses.

Grandma and Grandpa Hatch were great people in my book. I remember them with fondness especially at Christmas time...

or  when someone offers me a Pepsi!