I spent a lot of time at my Grandma's growing up. My brother had one of the first heart repair surgeries at Stanford and I...had a lot of time at Grandma's house. She and I were a clash of wills. We both loved the same man (my Grandpa!) and in the early days that was about all we had in common. She raised two girls. I had never been around them and let's face it, I tended to think the world revolved around me -- as did my Grandpa. She was determined to tame the shrew within me.
Those were long days when she would find me wasting orange juice by pouring it down the sink (I thought quietly!). She wanted to teach me to sew, I wanted to talk to my imaginary friends and dance around the front yard. She wanted to teach me to cook, I wanted to just eat the results (sometimes I didn't even want to do that!)
My grandmother would do anything for anyone, but she didn't take anyone's garbage. She ran a tight ship. Once, when my cousin wouldn't take a bath, she tossed him in clothes and all. I still remember his shock! She told me she would wash my mouth out with soap if I said something bad -- and she did, quite a few times in fact, and it was NASTY Ivory. Friends, only Lava tasted worse!
But somehow...I do know how to cook. I do know how to bake and I never had a bigger cheerleader. My grandmother never said anything she didn't mean. When she was proud of me, I KNEW she was proud of me. She passed away this morning at 88 -- she never lost her mind, she never lost her vigor and she never lost her strong opinions. I baked cookies with Elle tonight. Grandma, this ones for you. Yeah, I know, I burned the bottom, but it's the stove Grandma, I swear it!
My Grandpa lost his wife of 67 years today. My brother, who is mentally disabled, the woman who listened to him ramble every day of his life on the phone. And I lost my biggest fan and my staunchest motivator. Kristin
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23 Comments:
Thanks for sharing your memories with us. SHe sounded like an amazing lady...will say a prayer for your family.
kellie
You were blessed with a great, supportive grandma! Your celebration of and tribute to her here is very special and touching. I am so sorry, Kristin. May God be close to you and your family today and in the coming days as you grieve her passing. It's so great that your children are old enough that they will have fond memories of her as they grow up.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying!
A prisoner of hope,
Megan
Oh, Kristin I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma. I know how it feel's all too well. My grandma's were some of the best women. I was just thinking today how sweet, smart and funny my grandmothers were. I be praying for you and your family also. Anna
Kristen im sorry for your loss Praying for the family
So sorry for your loss, Kristin. I'm sure your grandma was smiling down from heaven, watching you bake(sort of burnt) cookies in her memory. I know you'll all carry her in your hearts. I think she brought out the writer in you with the wild scenarios you describe.:-)
Love you,
Nancy (P.S. You look adorable in that apron, but what would Ashley Stockingdale say?!!)
Kristin - I'm so sorry. May God surround you and your family with comfort.
Grandmas give us such wonderful, precious memories.
So sorry for your loss Kristin. Praying for your family as you navigate the waters over the next few days.
Such a touching tribute, K! Praying for you and your family!
Grandma's are amazing! I'm sorry for your loss, but so happy that you had many years of happiness with her, and 66 years of marriage! That's awesome!
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman, K! Praying for you!
Despite the grief, this was a dancing tribute of words in honor of your Grandmother! I wish I had known her after reading this.
We all should have such memories to take with us.
Bless you, Kristin, and my prayers are for your family today.
Thank you all, it was my therapy yesterday. : )
A beautiful tribute. I'm so glad that she was healthy and strong until the end. We all want it to be that way, I think.
I'm sorry for your grief.
Gosh, Kristin. What a beautiful post. Thanks for giving us such a wonderful word picture of her. It made me recall my own grandmother. I still miss her and she's been gone for seven years. Praying for you, your grandpa and family.
Kristin, I'm so sorry. I know that loss, and it never gets easier, especially when you've had such a great relationship.
Praying that God wraps you in His loving arms and that He and memories of your grandmother bring you comfort.
Mel J
Touching post, Kristin. Writing as therapy is a beautiful thing! Bless you and your family--Julie C
I am so sorry for your loss! May the Lord comfort you and your family.
I'm so sorry Kristin. That's awesome that you were able to remember her by baking cookies. Let me pray for you.
Dear Jesus, thanks so much for Kristin's grandma and the life that she lived. Thanks that she and her family are able to celebrate her life. Father, I pray that you will wrap your arms around Kristin and her family during this hard time. We know that You are the Great Comfortor and we ask You for Your supernatural comfort during this time and always. Thank you, Father!
I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristin. She had to be quite a grandma for you to bake cookies in her honor!
Praying for you and your family!
What a lovely post. My husband and I were just talking yesterday about grandchildren; that if someday we were blessed with a grandchild, that we would want to be able to love that child enough that we would make an impact in their lives.
What a blessing for you that your Grandma made an impact on you, most especially, during a time in your childhood when I know you must have felt adrift and alone. Thank you for sharing. I will be praying for your comfort Kristen.
Katie Johnson
Kristin, Just saw that you lost your grandmother recently. I'm so sorry for your loss. My grandmother went heavenward over 20 years ago. I miss her still. Grandma's have such an impact on our lives, if we're blessed to have one such as yours. Prayers for you and your family, your Grandpa especially.
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