The Sad News
I didn't or maybe couldn't know what to say about it, so instead these words written by my Brother Dustin basically mirror my own if I were able to come up with them.
Borrowed from his blog at Rat's Lair.
At about 1:15am Tuesday morning, (the 11th), my grandmother passed away. Growing up I had 3 sets of grandparents, one great-grandmother, and two great-uncles along with a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am now left with one remaining grandmother and the aunts/uncles/cousins. While it’s not a huge shock since these things will always have to happen eventually, it’s still not a great day or time to have when it does happen. My grandma had 5 daughters, 16 grandchildren, and 17 great-granchildren. Still with that whole list not a birthday or holiday went by when there wasn’t a card and/or package in the mail with the very familiar block lettering on it for each and everyone of them. Amazing… I’m less than half her age and I can’t remember a 6 item shopping list without writing it down… (personal edit): Minus seven more years for me and still true. Especially when it comes to people's birthday's or even just making sure I stay in touch with tem. Which I didn't, pretty much at all since I grew up this disappointing, with her. I did talk to her briefly on the phone once late last year when I had nothing going very good. First time I had communicated back to her in probably many years. And she made me feel better. She always could do that for her family. Before we hung up she wanted to make plans for me to go see her. And I'm pretty sure there were plans for her to move here before she passed away first.:
As far as these things go, it wasn’t as bad as it could be. She passed peacefully knowing her daughters made the 4+ hour flight to Florida in time to say thier goodbyes and to make sure her wishes are followed as she wanted. I wanted to go to Florida as well, but the cost of the last minute flight was just too steep for me at over $500.
At the end of Dustin's entry he has a favorite memory. Here is one or two of mine.
When everyone was much much younger she would come up to visit with Grandpa John and my bothers and parents and myself would go to Pizza Hut for dinner. It was almost the only times we got to go out to eat and on those times it was almost always Pizza Hut as a family favorite at the time. We hardly ever even went to McDonalds when I was younger. Unless it was in the middle of Chrstmas shopping or something special like that. So I was really happy when they came to visit. Then we would come back to my house and play Euchre and the world's best dice game Squelch. These games have been passed down through the family now either from her or maybe from someone higher on the tree.
I also like to remember Having a Halloween party with her and some family at my aunt Linda's house on one of her visits. And another Holiday I got to spend with her was a Christmas in my Aunt Beverly's nice furnished basement. I guess I was too excited or got confused at one point because I reached for the good present too soon and for a minute she and my aunt were a little annoied. I'm pretty sure it was from her and it's still high on the list of the best toys I had.
My Aunt Linda and my Aunt Evelyn (my Grandmother had many daughter's) still bring everybody together a couple times a year. I've been to, a short incomplete one even, only once in probably at least 3 years. And I pretty much blatantly skipped my cousin's wedding. Guess I'll have to find out who feels what about my new job before I decide if I feel worthy enough to attend something soon.
Borrowed from his blog at Rat's Lair.
At about 1:15am Tuesday morning, (the 11th), my grandmother passed away. Growing up I had 3 sets of grandparents, one great-grandmother, and two great-uncles along with a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am now left with one remaining grandmother and the aunts/uncles/cousins. While it’s not a huge shock since these things will always have to happen eventually, it’s still not a great day or time to have when it does happen. My grandma had 5 daughters, 16 grandchildren, and 17 great-granchildren. Still with that whole list not a birthday or holiday went by when there wasn’t a card and/or package in the mail with the very familiar block lettering on it for each and everyone of them. Amazing… I’m less than half her age and I can’t remember a 6 item shopping list without writing it down… (personal edit): Minus seven more years for me and still true. Especially when it comes to people's birthday's or even just making sure I stay in touch with tem. Which I didn't, pretty much at all since I grew up this disappointing, with her. I did talk to her briefly on the phone once late last year when I had nothing going very good. First time I had communicated back to her in probably many years. And she made me feel better. She always could do that for her family. Before we hung up she wanted to make plans for me to go see her. And I'm pretty sure there were plans for her to move here before she passed away first.:
As far as these things go, it wasn’t as bad as it could be. She passed peacefully knowing her daughters made the 4+ hour flight to Florida in time to say thier goodbyes and to make sure her wishes are followed as she wanted. I wanted to go to Florida as well, but the cost of the last minute flight was just too steep for me at over $500.
At the end of Dustin's entry he has a favorite memory. Here is one or two of mine.
When everyone was much much younger she would come up to visit with Grandpa John and my bothers and parents and myself would go to Pizza Hut for dinner. It was almost the only times we got to go out to eat and on those times it was almost always Pizza Hut as a family favorite at the time. We hardly ever even went to McDonalds when I was younger. Unless it was in the middle of Chrstmas shopping or something special like that. So I was really happy when they came to visit. Then we would come back to my house and play Euchre and the world's best dice game Squelch. These games have been passed down through the family now either from her or maybe from someone higher on the tree.
I also like to remember Having a Halloween party with her and some family at my aunt Linda's house on one of her visits. And another Holiday I got to spend with her was a Christmas in my Aunt Beverly's nice furnished basement. I guess I was too excited or got confused at one point because I reached for the good present too soon and for a minute she and my aunt were a little annoied. I'm pretty sure it was from her and it's still high on the list of the best toys I had.
My Aunt Linda and my Aunt Evelyn (my Grandmother had many daughter's) still bring everybody together a couple times a year. I've been to, a short incomplete one even, only once in probably at least 3 years. And I pretty much blatantly skipped my cousin's wedding. Guess I'll have to find out who feels what about my new job before I decide if I feel worthy enough to attend something soon.