Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Last Good-bye

Dear Grandma;

Thank you for trying so hard to teach me to be a lady. I'm sorry that it took me SO LONG to figure some things out. I really can't explain why I left the zipper down on my skirt, at that snooty swanky restaurant. I promise I hadn't realized that you could just lift.it.up. I didn't wear dresses or skirts when I was little, we got hand-me-down boy clothes. Oh, and how was I supposed to know what a finger bowl was used for? I thought it was Lemon Water.

But you got such a kick out of telling that story and that made it all worth it.

To this day, I don't recall the time you and Grandpa came to visit me in the hospital, when I was in the plastic bubble. But I never tired of hearing the story about Grandpa talking to me like a duck, and I responded with, "Grandpa's don't do thaaaaaaaaat!!"

Oh my GOSH! Remember the game of 52-card pickup that Cara tried to teach you? Your reaction was CLASSIC!! Thanks for teaching me some serious Scrabble skills too. Although, I'm dying for a strong adversary.

Thank you for making me feel pretty, even though you had your clever ways of saying I was fat full figured. And you're right, I do have beautiful hands. :)

I should be going now, but I selfishly don't want to. I don't know if you realize this, but there are others reading this letter. You wouldn't understand why I write this here, but then you never understood the concept of call waiting.

Today, May 15, 2008, is the day it was decided, it was time for you to go. You certainly got things your way in the end, didn't you? Good for you, for knowing what you wanted! I can't even figure out what I want for dinner, and you had such the plan. Ultimately, you passed in the most peaceful way imaginable. I'm so glad you got that...peace.

I consider myself so blessed to have been a part of your life. Part of who I am, I owe to you. I'll even share some of the good part. :)

Thank you Grandma.

Give my love to Dad and Grandpa, and tell them I'll see them again...someday.

I miss you already, but send all my love,

Me

33 comments:

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm sorry for your loss, but impressed with your attitude.

Michele said...

This is so beautiful! I cried. Thanks for sharing your heart, Grandy! My grandma wouldn't have understood blogging either. I can't imagine what she'd have told me to know I write things down for the world to see... Grandma's are a special breed. There's nothing like them. My grandma taught me to be a lady too--and so much more. It's hard to find words to describe a grandmother's love, life, and purpose, but you've summed it up here with dignity, grace, beauty, and heartfelt sincerity. I'm proud of you! I know she is too. :-)

*big, big hugs, prayers, and smiles*
Michele

Tricia said...

This post is both chuckle and tear worthy, thanks for sharing such a wonderful good bye, and I'm sorry for your loss. I know I too often take my grandmother for granted. Your post is also a kick in the pants for me to reach out and tell her I love her. Thanks for that.

XUP said...

Bye Grandma Grandy. Your lovely legacy lives on in all the younger Grandys and all the other people whose lives you touched.

Momisodes said...

Oh Grandy...I'm so sorry for your loss. Your grandma sounds like such a special woman, just like you.
My heart goes out to you, along with many *hugs*.

Brigitte Ballard said...

This was so wonderfully written. She would be glad. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Mike Golch said...

Grandy,I'm sorry for you lose.you have made your Gramma proud.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear your grandma had such a peaceful passing. My condolences to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I was just listening to Jeff Buckley's "Last Goodbye" before I came inside to hop on the computer.

Anonymous said...

This is a perfect tribute to Grandy's Grammy, funny, but it tugs at your heart strings at the same time - and bonus, you got to use your beautiful hands to do it! Hugs to you.

Mrs. G. said...

Grandmas are the best-you are a sweet and loving granddaughter. I miss grandmother (even after 13 years) several times a week-it used to be daily.

MP said...

{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}
That was GREAT!! The call waiting thing cracked me up.. because I can't get dad to understand the internet cause he can't understand how faxes work!!

OMG...w/ the skirt zipper thing.. ME TOO!!!!!!!!!

Oh you made me miss my Nana.. it's been 27 years already :-(

Suzanne said...

What a beautiful tribute. Grandy's Grandma, you sound like you were the coolest lady.

eastcoastlife said...

My condolences to you and your family.

My grandma taught me many things in life, and how to behave like a lady. :) She passed away 12 years ago. She was 97. I miss her.

Anonymous said...

If only we could all be so composed at the loss of such a dear, dear person.

Thank you for sharing and reminding me (as if I needed it) how great my grandparents are and how extremely lucky I am to have such a wonderful relationship with them.

Hang in there!

Unknown said...

Grandy- I'm so sorry for your loss. Grandmothers will always hold a special place in our hearts, they are always a part of us.

Melissa said...

Sending you my love.

Mrs. F said...

Aww jeez, I hate crying. I am sorry for your loss!

What a great post!

dkuroiwa said...

Oh, Grandy...this was beautiful. I'm sorry for your loss...my grandmother passed away suddenly in December and it was wonderful, as I was writing something to be read at her funeral (I could't be there), how I didn't really have to think very hard about what to write. I just put pen to paper and so much just came rushing at me...the good, the bad...and the funny and touching.
Grandmothers are a very special kind of people...how lucky you were to have one of the better ones!!

Grandy said...

Jenn~ Thanks so much.

Michele~ I had a good cry writing it too. It helped.

Tricia~ Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your kind words, and hope to see you again.

XUP~ A legacy indeed.

Sandy~ **Hugging you back**

Bridge~ Glad you enjoyed. It felt good to write.

Mike~ Thank you.

Dee~ I'll have to go find that song, cause you know I don't know it by the title. I'm REALLY bad at that.

Linda~ How sweet of you to say. I took these beautiful hands for a manicure today. :)

Mrs. G~ I understand. I go through this with Dad.

Grandy said...

MP~ **More Hugs Back** No way, on the skirt thing!

Suzanne~ She was!!

ECL~ Wow...97 is impressive. She would have a lot to share.

al~ Thanks lady. Give your grandparents a hug from me. :)

Malone~ Thanks lady. Ty wasn't sure how to take it. I think he was more sad for me.

Melissa~ Sending some back your way, cutie.

Mrs. F~ Thanks toots!!

dk~ I'm sorry for your loss, and thank you for your words.

Mary Alice said...

She sounds like quite a woman. Goodbyes are so hard. My thoughts are with you.

desperateblogger said...

i am so sorry for your lost. there you were giving me your sympathy and understanding while all along you were going through s great lost too.

such courage! glad to have met you.

dawn224 said...

Oh sweet girl. I know shades of how you feel. Sigh.

Joyce-Anne said...

I'm really sorry to hear of your loss of your grandma. But, she lives on so beautifully in you.

Travis Cody said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Isn't it wonderful to have such memories though?

bluecrystaldude said...

It's a wonderful tribute.. I feel the sadness but you put it in an amazing way..


Hugs and Prayers
Bluecrystaldude

Anonymous said...

Grandy *hugs* I am so sorry for your loss. The post made me sad, but it also made me feel better. Working through a close ones passing is always hard. Take care

Anonymous said...

beautiful, grandy. simply beautiful. i am crying.

i am sending you my love and my heartfelt condolences.

Grandy said...

Mary Alice~ Thanks so much for stopping by. I've seen you 'round these parts. I'll have to come say hello.

desperateblogger~ I hope you are feeling better soon.

Dawn~ Oh...I know you do.

Joyce-anne~ Thank you so much for your kind words.

Dude~ (just because I like saying that) I'm glad you enjoyed.

Rachel~ Thank you.

wreke~ I'm sorry I made you cry. I didn't mean to.

Jackie said...

Oh my how very touching this is. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I too have lost all of my granparents and my parents.

But, like you, I know I will see them again.

God Bless you!!

Tina Coruth said...

Grandy,

I'm sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute, filled with humor and love. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Tina

Grandy said...

shinade~ How wonderful of you to stop by and share. Thank you for your kind words.

Tina~ No, it was my pleasure. Thank YOU for enjoying it. :)