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.
Ali, Chris and Simon- I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a remarkable women who left an incredible mark on the Earth. What a blessing to have her in your life for as you as you did. I hope that through this sadness, you and your family are able to celebrate every moment you had with her. Take care and God bless, Tina
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Hugs to you and your Mom (and all your family) in the loss of your Grandmother. Wonderful women obviously run in the family. Blessings to you all and may the warm memories light up that special place in your heart.
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I'm so, so sorry to hear of your loss. I, too recently lost my Gramma. It's been very hard on all of us, but especially my two little ones. Their Great-Gramma was one of their best friends. As time goes on, it gets a little easier. Now I'm so grateful that my children have these precious memories to cherish. They sit and talk about their favorite things they used to do with her and how they can't wait to see her again.
I'll be praying for peace and comfort for you and yours ~ Jes
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Dear Ali,
I want to offer my deepest condolences to you and your family. Grandma Cathy sounds like a wonderful woman. God bless.
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Hugs to you and your family.
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Hi Ali and family,
I am very sad to hear about your loss. I hope and pray that you are all doing well and that you will all get through this somber time.
Remember all the beautiful moments with your Grandmother and remember to live just as vivaciously as she did.
All our thoughts, prayers and hugs from Okinawa Japan,
Vida, William, Kyeli, Diana and William Price :)
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my deepest condolences...*hugz*
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Ali,Chris,Simon & Family:
I am so sorry to hear about your Great Grandmother. I loved reading the letter from Chris to your mom, it was very moving.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Heather
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Much love and hugs to you and your family Ali.
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My thoughts are with you and your family. What a beautiful letter to your mom, so moving. I will be thinking about you today, as you enjoy that cup of tea.
Kim
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Ali~ I sorry to hear about the loss of your grandma. Your tribute to her is quite moving. She sounds like a woman to be admired. You and your family will be in my prayers.
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Ali & family, my condolences to you all. My husband's father passed away 3 weeks ago, so I can fully appreciate the feelings you are going through. I have been surprised at how much his loss affected us and how I think of him nearly every day at some point - I guess not really believing he has gone. But they are happy memories, and we are enjoying reliving them as a family, determined to remember our wonderful Dad and Pop. All the best to you all. xx
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What a beautiful tribute. These words and a picture of your cat teapot, and perhaps a pic of Simon being tucked in, could be a gorgeous layout someday.
So grateful for wonderful families. Will think of your grandma and my grandma as I sip a cup of tea today.
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Sympathy to your family. Our two sons were lucky to have met my husband's maternal grandparents. They still speak of them in such a special way. Hold your memories close...she sounds like she was quite a wonderful woman!
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Your writing about your grandmother was beautiful. It made me think about my great-grandmother who passed away almost 10 years ago but who will always be extremely special to me. I think I will write about her today too. I'm very sorry for your loss but so glad for you that you have so many wonderful memories and can say that she had a great life. {{HUGS}}
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my thoughts and prayers are with you. i'm sure your Grandma felt that she was very fortunate to have raised a wonderful daughter who in turn raised you. we do teach as we have been taught.
bless you all.
julie
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Ali, My thoughts are with you and your family. Grandmas are hard to lose, I lose mine last April and I still miss her every day (the holidays were hard.... was it cinnamon or nutmeg in that recipe she gave me? Couldn't call and ask) {hugs}
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Ali, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Ali,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. As you have inspired many to embrace the moments, may you also embrace the memories of your grandma. {Embrace}
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My thought and prayers to you and your family. The great memories you have of your grandma are something to be treasured and remembered forever.
Mary M.
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My thoughts are with you and your family. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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Sorry to read about that, and I was really touched by your post.
This is something that is inevitable. But thanks God He gaves us the power to remember... and keeping these memories is a blessing.
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I'm so sorry for your loss....sounds like Grandma Cathy was one special person :)
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With a tear rolling down my face after reading this....I just want to say I am so sorry for your loss.
My dd, Amanda, is 8 and often asks questions about my mom, whom she never met. My mom passed 11 days before my wedding, almost 14 years ago.
I am so glad you have those pictures and memories of your grandma. How wonderful to have been able to share your son with her! You must have so many wonderful memories. Hold them close. My thoughts are with your family!
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I am so sorry for your loss, Ali!
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