Remembering parent's life

[tulip]

Thankfully I have not had to face the death of a parent yet. My grandmother died in April of 2007 at age 87. She was not much of a cook, but was an incredible naturalist. She hiked the Appalachian trail and camped in every state except Hawaii. She even made it to Alaska. Her husband in later life (they were married when my grandmother was in her 50s) refused to fly, so they went everywhere in their VW popup camper.

After she died, I got very interested in birds and bird watching. She knew all the birds, and now I really enjoy birding. I always think of her when I see a bird, which is every single day.

[pardes]

What a wonderful thread this is!

My mother died a few years ago after living with me for a couple of decades due to her failing health. With that much togetherness between mother and daughter, there were wonderful things and not so wonderful things. It took several years after her death before I could look at her memory objectively and really mourn her as well as celebrate her.

I wasn't aware that I had turned the corner until I finally noticed that I was beginning to buy clothes in the same color of pink that she liked. It made me laugh out loud at how much she would have enjoyed the joke of seeing me, for so long unaware of the connection, dressed in her dusty rose color.

In some odd way it was as if we had both forgiven each other for our real or imagined trangressions and finally a life "together" could go on again.

I'm not so New Age WoooWooo about things but it's remarkable how often now that I feel a strong connection to her, a presence of her as I have for years to my father who passed away in 1959.

Our parents or anyone that we've lost never really leave us. The relationship goes on, just in a different manner.

[Tri Girl]

What a neat thread.

My father used to always make up words, for various reasons. He never cursed real words, but would instead say things like: awjubunjasays, or dadnabit. He always called me weird things like: tawny-magawny-mabooty-mawooty. After he passed, almost 10 years ago (yikes-it's been that long ), I noticed that I'd start to say gibberish words in frustration or when I was surprised. In my classroom I'm always making up words. I usually do it to be silly, but I don't think about it- the gibberish just comes out.

I've also become quite the handyman with my home. My dad was a fantastic carpenter (he built our house when I was younger all by himself). I think he'd be proud.

Those things always makes me think of Dad. I miss him terribly still.

[chicago]

What a neat thread.

My father used to always make up words, for various reasons. He never cursed real words, but would instead say things like: awjubunjasays, or dadnabit. He always called me weird things like: tawny-magawny-mabooty-mawooty. After he passed, almost 10 years ago (yikes-it's been that long ), I noticed that I'd start to say gibberish words in frustration or when I was surprised. In my classroom I'm always making up words. I usually do it to be silly, but I don't think about it- the gibberish just comes out.

I've also become quite the handyman with my home. My dad was a fantastic carpenter (he built our house when I was younger all by himself). I think he'd be proud.

Those things always makes me think of Dad. I miss him terribly still.

that made me cry I still miss my Dad too... I think we always will... but that's a good thing... we were lucky and got one of the good ones... and that's worth crying for

[singletrackmind]

Using mom's plants I've created several gardens in my yard. Gardening was her thing. I share pieces of those plants with others because that's what she did, share her gardens with anyone and everyone.

Every year this time my sisters and I volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk in her honor.

[wackyjacky1]

Every year this time my sisters and I volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk in her honor.

Same here. It is such a worthy cause. Ours is Oct. 11 this year.

[DebTX]

Thank you all for sharing these beautiful stories. This has been a very moving thread for me to read.

Deb

[Aggie_Ama]

Same here. It is such a worthy cause. Ours is Oct. 11 this year.

Thank you both. I lost my Great Grandma Ellen to the illness in 1989. She lived a full 88 years before the lights went out and luckily I was too young to really experience it. I was 8 when she died that hot July. All I remember is going to Wynn's (old general/ drug store) to get a bathing suit to swim at the old Lake House.

My Nanny has recently been diagnosed and it is so hard. She sometimes doesn't remember I am her granddaughter (I am often a niece). My dad she calls by his father's name. One day she didn't remember where my Pawpaw was (buried). I will do our walk/run next fall for my Nanny. I hate to say this but I hope her failing heart takes her before her mind can truly be taken. But I am not ready for either of those things, she seems so young but she is 76.