Peace be with you Grandma.
My Grandma Cathy (seen in the 2004 layout above) passed away on Friday evening after living a very fantastic full life.
Grandma Cathy was my Mom's Mom. Awesome, independent, vivacious, confident - all words that come to mind when I think of her. She was a super classy dresser and she gave the best hugs. She and my Grandpa always had the coolest drink stirrers in their bar area. She kept an immaculate home: tidy and organized and the most formal of any of my relatives. The ticking of a grandfather clock and the crazy sound of a cuckoo clock will always generate thoughts of my Grandparents. Her simple vinaigrette salad dressing is still one of the best I have ever tasted.
As a child one of my favorite things to do when visiting my Grandma was to have tea + cookies with her. I always felt really special and grown-up during those times. She had a delicate white cat teapot (which now lives with me) that poured the best cups of tea in the whole wide world.
One of the things I will treasure most about my Grandma is that she was such an awesome Mom to my Mom. I benefit from their relationship daily because she taught my Mom how to be a good Mom (through her words, actions, kindness, example, etc) and a good friend. My Mom and Grandma were close as adults, just as my Mom and I are close. My Mom means the world to me and I am so very lucky to have her in my life.
Thank you Grandma for giving me such a wonderful Mom.
I also want to share with you a very special email that Chris sent to my Mom on Saturday evening:
I talked with Simon a little about Grandma Cathy tonight. I brought it up during a break in our TV time, and then later when I tucked him in. We said a special prayer for Grandma Cathy and then I asked him if he loved Grandma Cathy and he nodded yes in the pure way that only he can. Then I asked him what he remembered about Grandma Cathy and he said: "Going to the city, in the tall buildings, and going in the elevator like this" (followed by upward motion with his hand) : )
I asked him if he remembered all the cats and that Grandma Cathy always called him Tiger. He shook his head and said "yes". Then I asked if he remembered the x's and o's for the tic tac toe game. He again nodded yes and then said, "and I look out the window at the city and all the tall buildings".
I am really grateful that Simon has some memories of Grandma Cathy and he seemed happy thinking about them.
Sometimes you have powerful moments that you can feel are being seared into your memory as they are happening. This was one of those. It wasn't long, but the few minutes remembering Grandma Cathy with Simon was moving and brought to mind all kinds of emotions. Good ones. For Simon, for Grandma Cathy, and for all the family.
Just thought you might like to know.
Love,
Chris
We all miss you Grandma. I am going to have a special cup of tea in that fantastic cat teapot to celebrate you today. Give Grandpa a big hug from each one of us.
What a wonderful set of memories you have...I'm sending you (((HUGS))) and my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
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peace.
hugs to you.
hugs to your mom.
xo,
jen
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((HUGS)) and prayers to you and your family for the loss of your grandmother. I, too, lost my grandmother on December 16th (exactly 3 months ago yesterday). All the emotions you wrote about and some of the stories brought back my own stories and memories ... what a fun time growing up with Granny Tout (that's my grandma). I was thrilled that my own daughter was able to share some of the same memories I had growing up with Granny.
Thanks for sharing ... and my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
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i'm sorry for your loss and very touched by your words.
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I'm sorry for your family's loss Ali. She sounds like she had a wonderful full life though, and that's the best that we can all hope for, isn't it?
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it is difficult watching this generation pass away. they have so much richness to offer and insight to give into our lives. as our family has buried three grandparents in the past few years, i am familiar with the emotions you are experiencing. even as recent as last month. it's not that we mourn where death has taken them, but rather we mourn they are no longer in our lives, and there is a hole where life once reigned.
may the LORD bless and keep your family during this time.
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Love you, Ali. Hugs to you.
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I'm so sorry for your loss, Ali. WE lost my grandmother on January 21 after a short illness. It's a very specific, special kind of loss of history, among other feelings. I feel for you and your family, esp. your Mom, as you deal with your Grandma's death. May she live on in your hearts and thoughts forever.
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So sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing. God Bless you and your family. It's good to see that she lives on strongly in your heart and thoughts... that's what is most important.
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i had a great time with you this weekend...thank you for the gift of your friendship...love you...
love the feeling it gave me to read your post today...simple, sweet feelings of love for one another...
kiss kiss
m
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Really love the Leo Buscaglia quote you have. Resounding with me.
I am so sorry to hear of your Grandma Cathy's passing. It sounds like she left a lasting legacy with your family. Our family lost my Pap (Grandpa) who was 88 in early Feb. Even with living a full and long life, it is so sad to hear the news. I am so glad Simon has memories of your Gma Cathy. Not to mention the beautiful memories you have and the teapot. Praying you find peace and comfort as you grieve.
Heidi
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Your written tribute paid to your grandmother was beautiful beyond words. Touching.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
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My thoughts are with you. Its funny you metion the grandfather clock and cukoo clock. I was sitting in my grandmothers living room this weekend, and thats all I could hear, were the two clocks. The memories keep everything alive.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today. What an incredible legacy she has left for the world.
lots of hugs
Lourdes
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Ali - I am so sorry for you & your families loss...Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
xo,
jenny
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Ali - I am so sorry for you & your families loss...Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
xo,
jenny
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I am not religiousminded.
I'm sorry for your loss.
cherish those warm memories about her...
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Thank you for sharing Ali. How special it truly is to have those kinds of relationships.
Its a wonderful reminder to enjoy each and everyday!
peace to you and yours!
Sharon F.
Oakland,CA
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Sending my condolences. I lost my Mom on Feb. 23 and her memories are what gets me through each day. Sounds like you had some wonderful memories of Grandma Cathy.
Love,
{vicki}
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I, too, am sorry to hear of your loss. Just reading this post gave me goosebumps and I am sending my thoughts to you and your entire family!
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I'm so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
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I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My grandfather passed away last Thursday and its amazing how the tea & the tea pot becomes a fond memory. Its amazing that Simon got to remember his great grandmother.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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What a lovely celebration sentiment about your Grandma. I just recently posted about mine, how meaningful they were to us!
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I am sorry to hear about your loss. May your grandmother rest in peace !
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