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'm so sorry about your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
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My thoughts are with you and you family.
((( HUGS )))
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So beautiful - it's all so beautiful.
Peace and prayers to you all.
A.
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Ali,
I know how it feels to lose a loved one. Especially a grandma. Mine just passed away 2 weeks ago. My heart goes out to you.
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Thank you for sharing every part of your life with us, so openly, so honestly and so thought provoking. Your thoughts brought back memories of my own grandma who's been gone nearly 20 years now. And how thoughtful of Chris to share those thoughts with your Mom. ((( Hugs ))) to you and your Mom as you deal with all that this passing brings to your week.
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My condolances to you and your family.
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I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Thanks for sharing Chris' words and Simon's wonderful thoughts of your grandmother.
Peace to you and your family.
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So sorry to hear about Grandma Cathy's passing. Chris's letter to your mother was so poignant, as was his conversation with Simon. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and personal moment with us all.
xo
jeanne
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Ali,
You are one of the most courageous and kindest people I know. You amaze me. After reading your blog today, I feel as if I also had the honor of knowing a piece of your grandmother. God bless you and yours, my friend.
Janet
(from chicago)
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beautiful sentiments, thoughts, emotions, and feelings about your grandma. I love she is described and all that she meant to you and your family. peace and sweet memories-
rani
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Beautiful words. From all three of you...
Your husband has a knack for writing, too. What a gift you both have been given!!
Love what you said about your Grandma. So glad that she lived such a full life. What a super example to your family.
Love to your family during this time.
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Ali, I am so sorry for your loss. This issue is very toching for me since I am going to a when, kind of process with my dearly grandma.
I will pray for you and your love ones so you can find peace in your hearts.
Thanks for sharing the letter that is so special with all of us.
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I'm sorry about your loss, but I know that your Grandma Cathy is with your grandpa now and they're smiling down at you. My heart goes out to you and your Mom and the rest of your family. Thank you for sharing such a special and personal email from Chris with all your virtual friends. Hugs to you!!!
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I'm so sorry for your loss, Ali. I saw you crying during lunch at CKU on Saturday and I wondered what was wrong, but didn't want to pry. Now I wish I had asked so that I could have offered a hug!
It's clear your Grandma led a wonderful, full life with a family that loved her very much. I hope your memories of her will be a comfort to you in this time of loss.
My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to you and your family. Tracy
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What a wonderful post-although bittersweet, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing. I think we should all have a cuppa tea in her honor.
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Ali, I am so sorry to hear about your grandma. She sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories, as well as Chris's. Hope you had another best cup of tea out of the cat teapot today. Take care of yourself - you and yours are in my thoughts. Kirsten
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I'm so so sorry for your loss. I'm so glad that you have some wonderful memories to remember her.
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((HUGS)) to you, Ali! What a wonderful post. Grandmothers are always alive through us... they are such a part of us... :)
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*hugz* for you and your family. I am so sorry to hear the news but so happy that you got to share so many happy moments with your grandma and that Simon also got to share many happy times as well. Thinking of you and your family - give your Mom a super big hug. We are all sending happy thoughts for you guys. :-)
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My prayers are with you. - Mary
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Welcome back, Ali! I am sorry to hear of both your and your family's loss. Once again, your choice of words, reflections, and sentiments were lovely. Your grandmother would be proud and delighted to hear what she meant to you... your memories of special times together will keep her alive in your heart, just like your scrapbooking will! I will be thinking of you...
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Thanks so much for sharing, your love for your Grandma and Chris' letter. I feel blessed to have read this... Grandmas are so special, they love you always.
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I'm sorry for your loss. What a wonderful time to be able to pull out scrapbook pages - and Chris' email was priceless.
Peace. Susan
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Sending a big hug your way, Ali. I had a lump in my throat reading this post, as I just lost a grandmother in December. My prayers are with your family. I can just imagine what a sweetheart she was.
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I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I remember when I lost mine, and the world was just not the same. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
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