Camp Oma

July 19, 2023
Stephanie Fleming
Behnkes History, Christmas
1 Comment

A Grandmother’s Name

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMOTHER! I grew up calling my grandmother the German word OMA, and my grandchildren also call me OMA. When my daughter told me almost 12 years ago that she and her husband were expecting our first grandchild, I had a time deciding just what I wanted to be called.

How could I live up to my Oma’s standards as the BEST grandmother ever? I went back and forth. I mean, there are so many great handles for grandparents! But, finally, my Aunt Ele Behnke said, of course, you will be OMA, and my mother, Sonja, agreed. I never really understood why neither one of them was called OMA. Except both of their moms were alive, and we called them OMA!

Fun Times At CAMP OMA

Anyway, last week, while my daughter had to work and my grandson was away at camp, our 7-year-old Zoe came to CAMP OMA, as she started calling it. We had so much fun! From baking to Barbies, blowing bubbles, doing a little school review work, and looking at everything that is blooming in our garden, we enjoyed every minute of it.

I love it when all 4 of my grandbabies are here, and as I write this, they should all arrive shortly to celebrate my son’s 42nd Birthday (when did that happen?) However, the one-on-one time with each of these special people is so important to me. I hope that when they are grown and have families, they will remember when their Oma played War with them, or we had dance-off parties. Even playing Barbies and creating elaborate storylines are memories I hope Zoe will treasure.

Just like when my own Oma would make all my Barbie clothing and then sit down and play with me. She would take us on hikes in the forest or make bread from scratch. They are memories I have treasured. What memories do you remember of your grandparents?

Stephanie Fleming

Stephanie Fleming was raised at Behnke’s Nurseries in Beltsville. Her Mom, Sonja, was one of Albert & Rose Behnke’s four children. She was weeding from the moment she could walk and hiding as soon as she was old enough to run, so many weeds, so little time. Although she quickly learned how to pull out a perennial and get taken off of weed pulling duty.

Comments (1)

Susan Thompson says:

July 20, 2023 at 9:03 am

I remember both my grandmothers dearly. Grandma Edna was an especially phenomenal storyteller, including acting parts out, about her young girl days on the ship that her Daddy navigated on the turbulent Lake Michigan. She also was a terrific game players and made for tough competition! A very smart woman indeed. Grandma Auguste was a fine family historian, telling about our German heritage from Schwaben and their immigration through Galveston, Texas. She would speak German with me. God bless them both. They were both devoted Christians and I know their prayers followed me always.

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