(no subject)
Wowsa... I am completely wiped. I feel better though.
Getting dressed for the service, I started to get really nervous. I wasn't really sure why, to be honest... I thought it was because I knew my dad was going to be a mess (and he was) and I would have to be a huge support block for him. I just didn't want to let him down.
As we pulled into the church though, I think I really realized that I was nervous because I was worried that not many people would actually be at the service. I've never met any of my grandmother's friends... And she grew up everywhere BUT here.
As we (the immediate family) walked into the church together, we were greeted by nearly 60 people. It filled my heart to the point where I honestly thought it was going to burst. People I had never met... Friends of Jerry (grandpa) and church members... People from the "Silver Sneakers" which was a fitness club for sr. citizens that my grandparents belonged to.
I filtered into one of the back rows with my father, uncle and aunt. We sat for a moment just taking in the scene of all of these people here to remember my grandmother. Then we noticed my grandfather sas sitting in the first row all by himself, and we all got up and joined him.
Grandpa sang a song, and we all cried. Then they pastor asked if there was anyone who would like to stand up and share a memory about Anne. My uncle Dale, who is a good public speaker jumped up and told some great stories about her from his childhood. Then he passed the mic to my auntie Victoria, who did the same.
My dad was a wreck, and I think my auntie summed it up perfectly when she once said, "you know your dad, fueled by emotion..." -- I was very nervous for him to get up and speak. I didn't think he was going to, but my aunt handed him the mic with a smile and he got up on the steps and told everyone what a wonderful person my grandma was. He began to cry heavily half way through, which in turn made everyone else begin to cry again. At the end of his speech, he looked right at me and held the mic in my direction. I got up and gave him a long hug, and stood up on the steps.
I did not plan on speaking... And when put on the spot, I am a horrible public speaker. I looked around, and saw a room full of people smiling and crying at the same time. I told them that I really didn't realize how much of my childhood was shaped by my grandmother until I was losing her. I spoke of the influences she had on me that changed me into the person I am today. I talked about the mariners games, the baseball cards... The afternoons at her Beacon Hill house.
Then, to end with a happier note I shared the story about how dad I stole a ton of Ross Perot campaign signs and put them up in her yard at 3am one night. She had the newspaper (that I currently work at!) out wrting a story about the "vandals" that did it the very next morning.
To her dying day she cursed those vandals... Sorry Grandma.
After the service, I stood outside and shook the hands of countless strangers that admired Jerry and Anne. It was such a positive feeling. More than once I had to hold back some tears. People we so touched by the stories we shared.
It was the best service I had ever been to. But, I was so tired when I got out. Now I am home alone again, and I hate it.
Anyway... I love you grandma. I will never forget you, or the way you had such a positive influence on my life.
Getting dressed for the service, I started to get really nervous. I wasn't really sure why, to be honest... I thought it was because I knew my dad was going to be a mess (and he was) and I would have to be a huge support block for him. I just didn't want to let him down.
As we pulled into the church though, I think I really realized that I was nervous because I was worried that not many people would actually be at the service. I've never met any of my grandmother's friends... And she grew up everywhere BUT here.
As we (the immediate family) walked into the church together, we were greeted by nearly 60 people. It filled my heart to the point where I honestly thought it was going to burst. People I had never met... Friends of Jerry (grandpa) and church members... People from the "Silver Sneakers" which was a fitness club for sr. citizens that my grandparents belonged to.
I filtered into one of the back rows with my father, uncle and aunt. We sat for a moment just taking in the scene of all of these people here to remember my grandmother. Then we noticed my grandfather sas sitting in the first row all by himself, and we all got up and joined him.
Grandpa sang a song, and we all cried. Then they pastor asked if there was anyone who would like to stand up and share a memory about Anne. My uncle Dale, who is a good public speaker jumped up and told some great stories about her from his childhood. Then he passed the mic to my auntie Victoria, who did the same.
My dad was a wreck, and I think my auntie summed it up perfectly when she once said, "you know your dad, fueled by emotion..." -- I was very nervous for him to get up and speak. I didn't think he was going to, but my aunt handed him the mic with a smile and he got up on the steps and told everyone what a wonderful person my grandma was. He began to cry heavily half way through, which in turn made everyone else begin to cry again. At the end of his speech, he looked right at me and held the mic in my direction. I got up and gave him a long hug, and stood up on the steps.
I did not plan on speaking... And when put on the spot, I am a horrible public speaker. I looked around, and saw a room full of people smiling and crying at the same time. I told them that I really didn't realize how much of my childhood was shaped by my grandmother until I was losing her. I spoke of the influences she had on me that changed me into the person I am today. I talked about the mariners games, the baseball cards... The afternoons at her Beacon Hill house.
Then, to end with a happier note I shared the story about how dad I stole a ton of Ross Perot campaign signs and put them up in her yard at 3am one night. She had the newspaper (that I currently work at!) out wrting a story about the "vandals" that did it the very next morning.
To her dying day she cursed those vandals... Sorry Grandma.
After the service, I stood outside and shook the hands of countless strangers that admired Jerry and Anne. It was such a positive feeling. More than once I had to hold back some tears. People we so touched by the stories we shared.
It was the best service I had ever been to. But, I was so tired when I got out. Now I am home alone again, and I hate it.
Anyway... I love you grandma. I will never forget you, or the way you had such a positive influence on my life.