In Memory

[limewave]

Just feeling a need to share . . . tonight I get to go to a Christmas Lighting ceremony at a nursing home that will be held in memory of my Grandmother. She was the longest living resident there and deeply cared for by the staff. Most of them came to her funeral and offered their sincere condolences--it was very touching. My Grandmother was a strong woman. She was caring and always put others first. She was supportive of her family. She worked until she was 86 years old on an assembly line. I never once remember hearing her complain. She lived to be almost 100 years old.

I miss her. DD thinks about her alot, being the first funeral she remembers attending. She'll ask "I wonder what Grandma is doing in Heaven now? Probably riding her bike on the golden paths."

More likely she's watching a football game and drinking a bud light.

[zoom-zoom]

How wonderful! I wish I'd had a cool grandma like that. It's so great that your DD remembers her, too. My great grandparents had all passed away before I was born.

[channlluv]

Sweet. What a great role model for all of us.

Wouldn't it be great to have had such a wonderful impact on the world when we're done?

Roxy

[indysteel]

She sounds like an amazing woman. How lucky you were to have her. I hope the memorial tonight helps you celebrate her life and grieve her death. It helps to be surrounded by people who loved her too.

[Tri Girl]

awww... how sweet. :) Sounds like she was a great woman with a blazing spirit. I hope you have a nice time remembering her tonight.

[pll]

She sounds like an amazing woman. How lucky you were to have her. I hope the memorial tonight helps you celebrate her life and grieve her death. It helps to be surrounded by people who loved her too.

+1. I cannot say this better.

[jusdooit]

What a great honor. I hope you enjoy sharing in the memory of your grandmother with those who cared for her.

[PamNY]

What a wonderful woman she must have been.

[Koronin]

She sounds like an amazing woman. How lucky you were to have her. I hope the memorial tonight helps you celebrate her life and grieve her death. It helps to be surrounded by people who loved her too.

Very well said.

[OakLeaf]

How very cool. May the lights shine brightly in her memory.

[Brandi]

Sorry I am late....I hope it was as touching as what you wrote! I had a grandma like that too. But unfortunately she died at 68 when I was 12. But everything I am is because of her. If I had not had her for the first 12 years of my life I do not know where I would be today. Thank you for reminding me to think of her.
Hope my grandma is having a beer with yours!

[bmccasland]

This reminds me of a photo I saw in the obit section - unlike the usual photos of the dearly departed, this one was of the lady in her younger days: whooping it up on horse back, waving her cowboy hat, the horse only on it's rear hooves.
My thought was there's a lady who came sliding in to the finish line, laughing and saying it's been a great ride. I want to be that lady!

[limewave]

The ceremony was really nice, more than I expected. Many of the residents talked to me about how much my grandmother meant to them. The light display was beautiful. There were many decorations inside and out of the nursing home. They had a plaque made with a picture of her--a funny picture--from when she was "queen of the ball" one Christmas. Every year on December 4th (the anniversary of her passing last year) they will hang a new ornament on the tree. They also plan to add a new display every year.

It was very touching and emotional. I bought some supplies so that the kids and I can make Christmas cards to mail the residents this year. I've set it up on my annual calendar so that we'll remember every year to do the same.

After the ceremony the family went to the Brown Bear, Grandma's favorite place to eat in town. I had my Grandma's favorite meal: Hamburger well done with mustard and relish, side order of onion rings and a Labatt's. :)

[Crankin]

It sounds like a very meaningful way to celebrate your grandmother's life.
I wish more people would do that.