Saying Good-Bye...

This past Friday my Grandma passed away.   I've been going through photos to display at the wake & funeral this coming week... it's amazing to look back at 82 years in photographs.

She was one of 12 children born, and raised during the Great Depression in Miami Oklahoma.  She said the day she was born, her Mom worked all day, went home gave birth to my grandmother, and was in church a few days later.  She loved America, patriotism, old hymns, and Christmas.

This picture of her, and with her sisters I just LOVE.  I think they were just beautiful...she's on the left.  The one in the middle is now the only one of the 12 surviving.

 

In 2001 my aunt, grandmother & I went to Miami, Oklahoma to visit her.  It was a wonderful trip, one that I am now so grateful we took.

My favorite story is of how she & my grandfather got married... they went on a blind date & came home 11 hours later married... yes that's right 11 HOURS!!  She said they were out with a group of friends at a club, and someone asked the band to play "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" for Betty & Al who are getting married tonight, and it went from a joke to ending up at the justice of the peace to get married.  They were married almost 40 years before losing my grandfather almost 26 years ago.  Many of those years spent in the military.

Then some of me 'back in the day'...I think I look like a boy in this picture...I'm guessing I was about 12 or 13.

Now for the opposite w/ the BIG hair!! College years.

 

In this one I must have been growing out the "Dorothy Hamill" during grade school.  Several summers my brother & I drove from Mass to Florida to spend a few weeks with them in the summer.  This picture is from one of those drives.  My brother would just file away everything that was said, and then come home loaded with imitations to do of our grandparents, and their 'banter'.

While going through some old things I found a book she had completed for me.  Two things struck me.  One was on the page where she had to complete about the first time she met me, and she said "I loved you the minute I saw you... still do."  Another page she had to write about what she still hopes to do as a grandmother, and she said " Watch all of you get married and have children, and fulfill your ambitions", and she did live to see those things.

Meeting Madalynn

 

She gave me many gifts... while I got my love of photography from my grandfather, I got my love of cooking, baking & crafts from her.  She bought me my first latch hook kit, and later introduced me to counted cross stitch, and quilting.  Every Christmas she made dozens, and dozens of cookies.  My favorite were buckeyes.

Generations who've gone before leave with us more than shared DNA.  They give us a story that's rich with their history, they teach us their skills, pass on their gifts, and their talents.  For which I'm thankful.

Her body had been through so much in the last 6+ years,including losing a leg, and there is comfort knowing that she is no longer suffering, and at peace.

One of the last times my Mom saw her she said "I have to go now Mom, but I'm leaving you in the hands of God", to which my Grandma looked at her, smiled, and said "There's no better place to be."