December 10, 2008

granny

My Granny passed away yesterday at the age of 92. I got three things from my Granny: my green eyes, my "girls" (if you know what I mean), and my love of hot tea with milk. Granny has spent the last three years in an assisted living community where Alzheimer's was recently causing more bad days than good, and where my mom was traveling the 3+ hours to care for her on a very regular basis, so this is a bittersweet time for my family. There will only be a few of us to mourn this loss, as we are a small family who has already endured more than its fair share of grief. There will be my parents, my three cousins (and possibly their families), my children, my husband, and me. Grandaddy, Uncle Bill (my mom's only sibling) and Stacey (my only sibling) have already left us.

Though there have been some truly hysterical stories since Granny has been in the retirement home, (Kacey: I'm sure Granny STILL wants her car back!) I will choose to hang on to those childhood memories that have helped mold and shape me. I will remember the high four-poster bed, the always immaculate house, Sunday pot roast, "hon" (pronounced in two-syllables as Hu-Wun), roses, Estee Lauder, "the grandaddy", sitting on the back porch, and many, MANY trips to the fabric store so Granny could make dresses for us.

Granny lived by two principles: 1) Do good for other people, and 2) though she frequently said, "Pretty IS as pretty DOES", what she really believed was, "It's better to look good than to feel good!" :o) (I believe she is thoroughly enjoying her immortal body.)

I have no witty story ending here. Nothing profound. Just a life transition that makes this week a bit harder to bear.

10 comments:

Kacey Leigh said...

I'm just gonna be honest here. One of the very first things I thought was, "Well, Granny's gonna know nana's been lying to her about the car now."

Love you mom. See you Friday :)

Sara said...

I'm glad that you will get to celebrate her life and all tell stories together. There is something very therapeutic about that.

We will be thinking about you. I love you!

Sandy said...

I remember when my Gran died, after a long downward spiral after a stroke, my uncle said to me, "I bet you really miss Gran, don't you?" I told him, "I've been missing her for a long time already."

I'm sorry for your loss, and glad you have lots of happy memories with her, because everyone needs a Granny that loves them.

janjanmom said...

I'm sorry for your loss and grateful for your happy memories.

Sara said...

Sounds like a wonderful woman! I agree with Sandy - everyone needs a Granny like that.

EmmaLeeAnne said...

She sounds like she was great. I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you and your family.

OUR FAMILY... said...

I love you Stephanie and I'm sorry for your loss.

OUR FAMILY... said...

I love you Stephanie and I'm sorry for your loss.

MichaelPolutta said...

I had said goodbye to my grandparents before they went home too - especially my mom's dad. Emphysema had granted him senility, so for me he had been gone LONG before he died. I still remember him fondly, though.

God bless you as you grieve and remember.

*Lindsay*Jordan* said...

Ill never forget that 4 poster bed, grandaddys desk, sausage balls, and the basement... ill always miss them...