Monday, February 20, 2012

Good bye Gram

My dearest Grandma died in the night. She was 85. I loved her dearly.
She was a good, kind, generous woman of great spiritual faith. I know now exactly where she is and feel a great peace knowing that. My Grandmother had a very hard life but I never once heard her complain or compare her life to others. She believed if you didn't have anything good to say about someone, you should say nothing at all. She had great wit, however, and made frequent brilliant observations about the world and people.

She was very conservative in her values and had strong views about how people, especially women, should conduct themselves (I generally always agreed with her and it has been said that I have her values). Over the years, she frequently commented on my hair (loved it, or hated it), what I was wearing, and always commented that I should wear socks (I usually don't) if I didn't want to catch a cold.

She was, of course, a phenomenal cook. She was always so generous and was always tucking $20 bills in my pocket, from her small income. She knew I liked chocolate and always pulled a box of something or other out of the drawer when I was home. I loved having a piece of candy or a cookie with her.

I never heard her raise her voice once. She was a very gentle person. I aspire to be like her in so many ways.

She loved her family above all else and was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grand-mother, great grandmother and so on. She lost her own mother very young, as a teen, and she spoke about her mother frequently through the years. I am pleased to imagine them together now, sharing the days together again...

She was a person I would call content in life. This is so rare and something we should all strive for, to be grateful for all we have and not covet so much material and social status. She was precious and good and I will miss her.

28 comments:

  1. that was a lovely tribute, terri. thank you for giving us just a little of your grandmother. our thoughts are with you and your family. donna

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  2. Terri, I'm so sorry! There's something really special about a grandmother and it sounds like you really appreciated her. What a great gift she gave herself by being content with what she had. It's lesson I wish we could all learn.

    I hope your memories will provide some comfort and what I'm sure is a difficult time.

    xo Steve

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  3. I am very sorry for your loss. The picture you paint of your grandmother is lovely -- a beautiful tribute to someone very special in your life. I can just imagine what she must have been like from your description. I know the sadness is great now, but over time, the memories you hold dear will bring you comfort and peace.
    Claudia

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  4. What a beautiful expression of your love for your grandmother. She sounds like a remarkable woman. I am keeping you and yours in my prayers. Will you travel home at this time or a later date?

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  5. Terri,
    A lovely person. She was obviously very special to you. I'm sure she loved you dearly regardless of yor hair style.

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  6. so sorry about the loss of your dear grandmother. I was so lucky to have mine until I was 48 but it didn't dull the pain of losing her. prayers for you & your family.....chris

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  7. My heart goes out to you and your family Terri!
    Sending you a big hug from Houston.
    Tricia

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  8. I am sorry for your loss, Terri. What wonderful memories you will cherish of your grandmother. I pray that you will be comforted.

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  9. Thanks everyone for the sweet thoughts. We are catching a flight out east tomorrow. I will stay for 2 weeks to be with my Mom and family who are coming from all over...

    xo Terri

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  10. may your Grandma rest in peace... my warmest apologies for your loss... don't forget that she will remain alive in your heart....

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  11. Terri - So sorry to read about the loss of your grandmother. This is a beautiful post and tribute. My thoughts are with you and your family.
    Deborah

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  12. So sorry to hear the news. I am sure she was a great influence on your life.

    xoxo

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  13. My dear Terri,
    I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Grandmother. What a lovey photo, lovely woman, lovely legacy. Her legacy is in you. My dear I am sure that you carry her in you. So sorry that you are at such a great loss. But we share the belief that she is with God, whole and more perfect version of herself. There to watch over you and put in a word now and then for you and your family. Perhaps she will help take away your headaches. My God bring you peace and may you know that your grandmother lives on.
    Love Lisa

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  14. Beautiful and thought provoking tribute. Condolences Terri to you and your family.

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  15. Terri, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing her in that beautiful tribute.
    xo

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  16. Your Gram sounds very like my Mom and I can only pray that she will go in the night as well. She was so blessed to have a sweet grand daughter such as you and it sounds as though there is such peace in knowing that her faith has served her well. xoRoberta

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  17. So sorry to hear about your grandmother, she sounded like a wonderful lady. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

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  18. Your grandmother is with you all over and everywhere, in the wind that plays in the trees and in the green grass... I know that.

    Love and hugs

    Katarina

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  19. So sorry.....grandma's are so special. I know you will miss what she brought to your life.

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  20. oh terri, i am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved grandmother. what a wonderful legacy she instilled in you to carry you through all of your days
    hugs
    debra

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  21. What a beautiful post, I am so sorry for your loss.

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  22. Terri, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Gram. The picture you chose matches your description of her being a person content in life. There is an inner sparkle in her eyes.

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  23. Terri,
    So sorry to hear of the passing of such a wonderful Grandmother.
    Sending hugs and may all you're wonderful memories keep the sadness at bay.
    xo,
    ~R

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  24. Your words about your grandmother are lovely, filled with love and respect.
    xo Poppins

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  25. I'm so sorry for your loss Terri. Your grandmother sounds like a really lovely woman, we should all try to be content with what we are blessed with as she did. God bless.

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