I never met my Dad's parents.
The grandparents I did know were wonderful and I had both of them until I was about 25. My grandmother was a beautiful soul who was just sweet as can be. But my Mom said she was not one to mess with growing up with her as a Mom, Lol. When she was young she was a ballerina. The Bolshoi troupe came through the US in the 20's and she danced with them. Talking to her, that was her most proud achievement. She could touch her knee to her nose until she was into her 70's. She passed around 1994 or 1995 of Leukemia. She was holding a picture of Jesus the night she died and told me I'd get the teaching job I wanted so badly. I told her not to worry, that God had a plan. She smiled and said, "I know that," pointing to the picture while clutching it. A few months after she died I got the call and got that very job. What great faith she had!
My grandfather was a little guy but we didn't screw with him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a genious with Math, always giving us Math riddles that were just incredible. He was a master gear cutter by trade, which explains alot. Anyway, when in his late 70's, he worked as a machinist for my brother's company, just for fun. I remember a guy came up to him and offered him some chewing tobacco. He said, "If I wanted that, I'd $h*t me some!" Everyone in the plant laughed so hard at that. Anyway, he was a great fisherman, too, and could call birds to his hand. I've got a shot somewhere of him at a campsite with a cardinal on his finger. He whistled it to him. Iincredible. He lived to 95. Broke his hip on a welcome mat at his favorite restaurant. Some grubby family members wanted him to sue. He refused, saying, "I'm 95 years old. If this didn't get me, something else would. Besides, I love that restaurant and the managers treat me well. I wouldn't want to cause them trouble. They were upset enough that I got hurt."
Thanks for this thread, OP. I miss them so much. It is good to think about them. Great stories in here. It reminds us all of the standards we need to meet when we become grandparents.