My loving grandmother passed away at the end of March. Mere days from her 95th birthday. She was one of the brightest lights in my life. My heart is a different one because she resided in it and helped mold it since the day we met. I miss her more than words can say and yet I am totally at peace with her passing. I miss her voice, her wisdom, the way she so, so deeply supported and loved me. No matter what. I keep her number in my phone--the same one she has had since I can recall--her wedding photo on my dresser, and her example of how to treat and love the world always in my heart.
Below is what I read at her funeral.
“Sweetest person I know”, “true friend”, “beloved mother”, “wonderful neighbor”, “patient wife”, “dear sister “the grandmother people only dream about”—these are but a few of the ways my gram has been described.
My 6 year old daughter, Audrey, once described her great grandmother as “one of God’s angels on earth”. And, I do know that Audrey was not the first to say it.
Wow--what a gap her passing leaves. Yet what a legacy she has left behind.
A few years back I sent her a Valentine as I wanted her to know exactly how I felt about her. I will share it with you now.
My dearest grammie~
I wanted to write to you today to thank you for the endless generosity, courage, and support you have bestowed upon me and shown me over the years.
You are the first to encourage my mothering capabilities when I feel helpless and hopeless. You remind me of the thank you notes I have taught my girls to write and the many baking projects I tackle with them.
You inspire me to follow my professional dreams. You earned a degree in nutrition at a time when other females did not always graduate high school.
You always put others first. Your “birthday book” is so chock full of people that you remember monthly that finding room to add new babies born into the family is a challenge!
I love to remember my childhood days with you. Baking chocolate chip cookies, your renowned Boston baked beans, goodie bags for the drive home from your house, bus visits from college, full breakfasts (complete with eggs, bacon, half grapefruit (pre-sliced, of course!) and always a warm, loving greeting.
Your voice on the other end of the phone makes me miss you so. “Hi Katie, It’s only me gram.” Only me you say…There really is only one you, Grammie. One fabulous you.
I love how genuine you are when you sign off each call with, “God bless you.” I have adopted it as my salutation as well, hoping to make others feel as special as you make me feel.
Loved. Blessed. Grateful. This is how I describe my life, because I know you.
When I told my girls of gram’s passing on Wednesday I spoke about how she was at peace and not suffering at all. “But now I am,” said Audrey. I went on, “She no longer misses so many loved ones since they’re now reunited she doesn’t miss her parents, her sister, and grandpa anymore”. “But I miss her” Audrey retorted.
“I know. I do, too.” I told her. And then I paused and Audrey filled in the silence, “I guess God was just ready to have his angel back,” she said.
I guess so.
God bless you, Grammie.
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2 comments:
Sweet tribute to an amazing lady. This made me cry so when I read it and now commenting one whole month later, still moves me. The girls will remember their great grammie by her thoughtful deeds and your beautiful words.
I miss her more every day. I really have been pouring over childhood photos searching for more of us together. They must be in my childhood home with my folks. I don't know how you all deal with losing your parents. I think of you all each time I think of gram. Hope you feel the energy and warmth. k
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