-Slumber parties at her house when we were little. I remember one time we woke up really early and decorated her kitchen in crate paper and balloons and signs, just for fun. She was tickled and proud of us, always.
-Measuring ourselves on the back door of her laundry room as we grew up
-The night I called her when I was in college (the first time), and my phone had a bad connection, and she thought I had been kidnapped and was speaking in code trying to see if I was in trouble.
-Wearing her earrings on my wedding day
-Two days after having Jeffrey, her saying, "you still look pregnant"
-lunches at Lyons, Marie Calendars, Red Robin, and Saint Mary's cafeteria
-Her pink volunteer uniform from the hospital
-Her giddiness when she would buy loud annoying Christmas toys for us that would drive my dad crazy.
-quotes like, "yoo-hoo!", "hey, friend" "so, whatcha know?"
-Jeffrey pushing her in her wheelchair
-Her letting me drop her off at work and use her car when I first had my license.
-Her hatred of nail polish any time I wore it.
-Everyone calling her the nutty nut lady during the holidays when she would go around selling nuts.
She was very stoic, and never bared her soul to anyone. Never in my life did I hear her complain. Not once. She was wonderfully stubborn and blunt. She was the strongest woman I know. I had the blessing of praying very quietly in her ear a couple hours before she passed and told her how much she was loved and how thankful we were for her, what a wonderful blessing she has been in our lives. I told her that Jesus loved her and was waiting for her, and even though her eyes were closed her eyebrows raised at the mention of His name, it was a precious moment that I will never forget.
Even though it's been almost a year since I've posted the Irish Blessing, here it is again for you, Grandma:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
I love you.
4 comments:
I want to be her when I grow up. I am going to write myself a note to speak the kidnapped code to one of my children or grandchildren. LOVE this list friend. feel that? That's a whole lot of love wrapped around you. Yah. You feel it.
Erin, this was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories. I started reading and got teary with sadness then started laughing out loud. I LOVE the "yoohoo"
Nice post, Erin. I love the picture.
Beautiful ....she was really something, wasn't she?
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