My grandma passed away a little over a week ago. When I got the call from my dad, I was shocked along with everyone else who knew and loved her. My grandma was always so vibrant and full of energy. She loved to crack jokes - many of which were at her own expense. She was a poet. She was loving. She was positive. She always had frozen mini candy bars (Milky Way or Snickers) in her freezer. She was very accepting of everyone. I remember at Thanksgiving one year she said she wanted to eat white meat and dark meat so she wouldn't be prejudice - and she did! She seemed to be invincible. I almost didn't believe she'd left us.
Since we've lived in Texas I've been writing to my grandma and she's written many letters in return. I'm so glad I saved them all! After I learned of her passing, I dug up the letters and began to read. I expected to feel tears of sadness but instead experienced tears of laughter. Her letters had many hilarious things in them. I thought it would be fun to share a couple of the things she wrote:
August 28, 2004 - "I am not exactly looking forward to having my hip replacement - it doesn't sound good - I really must have a 'saw bones' for my doc - I hope the new hip isn't made of wood - if it is your mom can write a sequel to the 'Wizard of Oz', titled the 'Wizened Granny from Oz.'"
February 20, 2006 - She was telling me she had been eating too many desserts and then she wrote, "I look like a blimp - it would be nice if I could fly like one - then I would soar high above the rain clouds and attempt to land in your backyard - what a story that would be! (ole great-grandma Bell flew through the soggy sky - she got soaking wet and Ainsley and Kaylee hung her out to dry)."
I'll miss my grandma, and so will everyone who knew her. I'm happy that she was able to go so peacefully - I hope it's genetic! I'm so glad to know that I'll get to see her again someday. I love it that she's been reunited with her husband, her daughter, and the many other people that went before her. President Heber J. Grant said, "To the man of faith, death is but the taking up again of the life he broke off when he came to this earth." What a wonderful and true statement!
5 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is so neat that you have letters to reflect on and keep those memories close. She sounds like a very fun woman!
I'm so glad you have those memories and letters of your grandma! That's so neat.
She seems like such a hoot Christa! I am glad you have fantastic memories of her and I think also knowing that you'll see her again and that she is probably cracking everyone up where she is now makes it easier to take it all in.
Oh! I'm so sorry for your loss! That really is great to have those letters to remember her with. She sounds like a really fun lady. Isn't it great to know people like that who touch our lives so deeply? You are lucky to have had such a person in your life. I love funny old grandmas! Mark's grandma sounds a lot like her.
On a different note...thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog! It really means a lot to me. I love reading your blog and getting to know your kids since we never get to see each other. I was so grateful for the wedding this summer when we got to hang out together. It's too bad we couldn't stay longer! I just adore your family and think you are such an amazing mom! I wish we lived by each other so I could glean from your pro-motherliness! You should write a book or something because your children are truly exceptional! They all seem so happy and well-rounded. Keep up the good work! ;)
Grandma would love what you wrote about her and I do too.
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