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.
I am so sorry to hear of your life. Your post about your grandma left me teary eyed, you have written it so very well.
May peace be with you and yours,
Jen
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Ali, I am so sorry about your grandmothers passing. I am glad that you and your family have such warm and fuzzy memories of her! I was 18 when my grandmother passed away. I still think of her every single day. All of the wonderful things that she did for us remain in my mind everyday.
I am glad that Simon will have memories of her. There isn't a day that goes by where I wish that my son had met her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cara
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Heartfelt condolences Ali & family. Wonderful memories for you all to take comfort in. I truly admire the way you celebrate your Grandma Cathy's extraordinary life in the midst of your sadness and grief. In this way you must be a tremendous support to your own Mum. You are a strong and amazing woman; clearly the offspring of strong and amazing women!!
God Bless you all at this time.
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I'm so sorry for your families loss. May the good memories you have of your grandma be a comfort during this very sad time.
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I am sorry for your loss. Hang onto the memories, as they are part of your life story. Out of sadness you have created a wonderful tribute to your own mom.
Thank you for sharing.
...margie
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Sorry for your loss. What a great way to remember Granmda Cathy.
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So very sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
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Ali, my condolences to you and your family.
I lost my Grandma 3 months ago and know the loss you are experiencing.
God bless.
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Its great that Simon has memories of his great-granny. I grew up without grandparents at all and never knew what I missed until I married my husband and became part of his huge family. I am so grateful my DD is growing into knowing 3 generations in her family - even though her granny died a month before she was born. Blessings and hugs to you all. xx
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I am so sorry for your loss. But what wonderful memories you have of your grandmother. I hope the cup of tea from her teapot is comforting to you tonight.
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I am sorry for your loss.
But what amazing memories to cherish.
I'm glad she was able to be a part of Simon's life.
Thinking of you today.
K
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So very sorry for your loss, Ali! Glad you are celebrating your Grandmother's life...HUGS!
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Reading your post brought tears to my eyes, Ali. Grandma's are very special people; may you and your family always treasure those wonderful memories. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
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I am sorry for you loss. May your Grandma Cathy's soul rest in peace. So glad you already wrote those memories of Grandma Cathy...and your husband's words were so beautiful and so neat that he wrote them to your Mom. Your scrapping even has had an affect on him.
Peace,
Karen G
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May the angels watching over you bring you peace. Thinking of you and yours!
Hugs from Illinois
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My thoughts are with your family. What a beautiful and moving post. Your Dh is amazing for writing such a thoughful and sweet letter to your Mom. Hugs to all of you it`s never easy losing (for now) those we love and treasure.
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Ali, so sorry to hear about your Grandma. Hugs to you!
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So sorry for your loss. She sounds like an incredible woman who I'm certain has received her wings.
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So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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I'm so sorry for your loss; she sounds like a wonderful woman whose legacy lives on and on.
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peace be with you and your family, too, ali.
grandmothers [and mothers] are such a blessing.
*
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Hugs to you and your family on the loss of your Grandma. Thanks for sharing the sweet memories!
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Ali,
My condolences to you and your family. She sounds like a very special lady and may your memories of her stay close to your heart.
{{hugs}}
Susan
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Hugs to you and your family- the wonderful memories will always make you smile
Carole
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So Sweet of Simon's memories with his great grandma.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Jill
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