Ivy says:
My grandmother passed away at about 5 this morning. We’re sad that she’s no longer here on earth, but we rejoice since we know her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and we will see her again one day in Heaven. As always, she was the polar opposite of my other grandmother and wound down very slowly, being off all ther tubes and IVs for the past 15 days. My confession: I’m relieved. This means things can get back to normal. A new normal, yes. One without my grandma. But one where everybody isn’t stretched so thin and we’re not all tired and somewhat angry. I feel the slightest bit bad that I feel relieved, but even as my tears fall for my lost grandmother, I know that she was one of the most practical people I have known and she would totally understand my relief.
And it’s a nice thought that she’s back to the grandma I have always known, not the hollow shell of herself that she had become these last few years because of dementia. She is no longer with us here on earth, but now I have both of my grandmas up in Heaven, looking down and keeping watch for me. That part feels good.
If I had been keeping up with my personal blog, I would give her a eulogy of sorts there, but since I haven’t posted there in more than a year, it feels false and wrong to do that there. So, I’ll do it here. Click if you want to read on.
My grandmother was born September 3, 1917 and lived to be 91 years old, dying today, March 15, 2009. She was an Indiana farm girl who married the handsome guy from the “farm next door.” She was quite the beauty in her time, and was considered to be a great catch.
She was extremely practical, having grown up during the Depression and later dealing with being extremely poor as her husband was unable to work much the last few years of his life. She taught me most of what I know about economy and thrift. She taught me much about saving money and what the important things in life are- not money, but family.
She had an interesting life, living mostly in Indiana and being a housewife, but also moving with her husband to Pasadena, California when he was a SeaBee. She also worked at Delco Remy while the war was on. She had her children a bit later in life, she was 34 when my dad was born and he was the middle child.
She always kept a huge garden and I remember very clearly going to pick strawberries and blackberries and rhubarb in her garden. She kept a compost heap way, way before it was cool, and she took less trash out to the garbage men than anyone I have ever known in my life. So, I suppose I can also say she taught me all about being green, way, way before it became trendy.
She was also a complete romantic, an interesting aside to the practical side of her. She lost her husband when he was only 53 years old and never remarried. From what I understand, he was the great love of her life. We don’t know if her husband is in Heaven or not, but I like to think that he is and they are back together, only this time, forever.
Goodbye, Grandma. I’ll miss you.
I only just read this posting.....and I just wanted to pass on a virtual hug to you and the rest of your family.
I cannot imagine what this must be like for you.....but do hope your "new" normal comes on wings powered by wonderful memories from the past.
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