Foolishly as I grew up I thought everyone had a Grandma like mine.
I thought everyone had just one Grandma, and only two siblings to share her with.
I thought every Grandma married a Grandpa like mine and lived on a farm, raising chickens, milking cows and farming.
I thought every Grandma took their Grandchildren along when they took lunch (always in a black lunch pail) to Grandpa while he was in the field.
I thought every Grandma set out 5 different kinds of cereal, 2 different juices (orange and cran-raspberry)and set the table for breakfast.
I thought every Grandma heated fudge on the stove for ice cream sundaes and grated the nuts by hand for toppings.
I thought every Grandma took the time to rub her Grand children's backs until they fell sleep.
I thought every Grandma let their Grandchildren play outside on their farm in their pajama's until the sun went down.
I thought every Grandma baked bread in a tomato juice can and gave it friends and strangers just because.
I thought every Grandma used the statement, "We don't call it spoiled, we call it love."
I thought every Grandma took the time to take their Grandchildren to church and vacation bible school.
I thought every Grandma was a dairy farmer's wife.
I thought every Grandma had the patience of a Saint.
I thought every Grandma let their Grandchildren stay at her home during their summer's off from college so they could be closer to their friends.
I thought every Grandma quilted amazing quilts that won ribbons at the State Fair. And then gave them away to friends and family.
I thought every Grandma was like mine, I was wrong. My Grandma was unique, special. Her legacy lives on in the best parts of those she touched.
If you knew her you understand, if you didn't I wish you had.
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A fitting parable told at her committal:
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "There she goes!"
Gone where? Gone from my sight ... that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There she goes! there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
I thought everyone had just one Grandma, and only two siblings to share her with.
I thought every Grandma married a Grandpa like mine and lived on a farm, raising chickens, milking cows and farming.
I thought every Grandma took their Grandchildren along when they took lunch (always in a black lunch pail) to Grandpa while he was in the field.
I thought every Grandma set out 5 different kinds of cereal, 2 different juices (orange and cran-raspberry)and set the table for breakfast.
I thought every Grandma heated fudge on the stove for ice cream sundaes and grated the nuts by hand for toppings.
I thought every Grandma took the time to rub her Grand children's backs until they fell sleep.
I thought every Grandma let their Grandchildren play outside on their farm in their pajama's until the sun went down.
I thought every Grandma baked bread in a tomato juice can and gave it friends and strangers just because.
I thought every Grandma used the statement, "We don't call it spoiled, we call it love."
I thought every Grandma took the time to take their Grandchildren to church and vacation bible school.
I thought every Grandma was a dairy farmer's wife.
I thought every Grandma had the patience of a Saint.
I thought every Grandma let their Grandchildren stay at her home during their summer's off from college so they could be closer to their friends.
I thought every Grandma quilted amazing quilts that won ribbons at the State Fair. And then gave them away to friends and family.
I thought every Grandma was like mine, I was wrong. My Grandma was unique, special. Her legacy lives on in the best parts of those she touched.
If you knew her you understand, if you didn't I wish you had.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A fitting parable told at her committal:
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "There she goes!"
Gone where? Gone from my sight ... that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There she goes! there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
9 comments:
Awesome post Shell! Grandma truly was a wonderful person and I am very lucky to have known her. She will be missed!
Very nicely put Shell. Those notes about Grandma brought back some pretty strong memories.
So, sorry to hear about such a great loss for you and your family. I was lucky enough to know her when we still lived in IA. I have quite a few fond memories of fun we had out at the farm. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. - Jalene
One word Shell ~
AWESOME!
That was beautiful Michelle - brought tears to my eyes. Grandparents are so special. I sent the poem to a friend that just lost her best friend to a rare form of cancer. So profound. Thank you so much for sharing your memories! I definitely had my share of bread baked in a coffee can, lots of those cookies too!!
OK, I swore I had quit crying for this week -- but I just started again. But they are "happy tears"!! What a BEAUTIFUL sentiment and what awesome pictures!! Thanks, Shell!! You were blessed to have your Grandma, and she truly will live on in you and Mike and Jen, and the love you show to your families, the stories you share and the traditions you cherish. She truly was always "amazed" by each of you, your accomplishments, your families and your good hearts. She was one of the proudest Grandmas I have ever known!!
Great tribute, Michelle....Bet will certainly be missed, but absolutely lives on in all of us that were blessed enough to have been part of her life. Her patience and love for all of us children was never more apparent than the day at the old farmhouse that we thought it would be a GREAT idea to fill the bath tub with soapy water and slip/slide around the bathroom! Never a harsh word....she actually laughed and said it looked like fun!!! Oh - if only my dad would have had the same reaction!! Love to all of you!
OH my gosh, I feel as though I am right back there watching her, loving it all. You have no idea how great it is. I remember she always had grape juice, 'cuz I loved it so much, in a very special pitcher. I remember when she always made sure I had everything I needed to play Barbies on the steps, so I could play and still hear the adults talk. I agree, she never spoiled us, she just always loved us all, and my prayer is that I showed her how much I will always Love her. Love you all, ALWAYS! PEN
Such a wonderful post! There is absolutely no doubt you loved your Grandmother. She sounds like an amazing woman. Thanks to your note I feel like I know her.
So sorry to hear about your lost. I hope that the memories you've written about help you and your family get through this tough time.
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