Tuesday, September 29, 2009

We love you, Grandma Ruby

My Grandma Ruby...my last living grandparent...died late last week. Today is her funeral.

Past family losses have sent me running to find photos so that I could put them together with my memories and the right words...as if posting something here would be make it a proper goodbye.

But Grandma Ruby and I talked on my wedding day fifteen years ago. We had an understanding. Even before dementia robbed her of her memories, we had an understanding.

She knew that I was starting my own family. With a kiss and hug and a brief conversation, she told me she knew that, even though I was linked to her by blood, I was no longer the little girl who was required to do the family Christmas gatherings or the summer vacation visits.

She was my Grandma. I loved her. I respected her. I have missed her for a while now. I will continue to miss her...always.

I don't have any living grandparents. That's a lot to process and there just isn't any goodbye that is proper for this.

9 comments:

Michele said...

Sending big hugs... Between the two of us, Peter and I have only one grandparent left (my mom's mom). It is so hard to say goodbye.

Shinny said...

So sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and your family.
I am down to one step-grandma, who is really the only grandma I have known on that side anyway as she was there when I arrived.

Take care and man, you need a vacation to Wisconsin, soon. I need help setting up my craft/crap room. ;)

marcia said...

My sincere sympathy to you, Catherine! She sounds like a wonderful guilt-free Grandma! I'm going to tuck that little conversation away in my memory bank for future reference!

Rosepetal said...

Hugs Catherine

Unknown said...

I am sorry, C. I am so glad you got to have her for a grandmother. Losing is so hard, isn't it?

Julia said...

I am sorry.
My last living gradparent, a grandma, has Alzheimer's and dementia. I was just thinking the other day how she is the last one, and how she is not really here anymore, but how there are still moments, flashes, and that makes it impossible to grieve for her just yet, though she is pretty much gone...
I am sorry. Sounds like grandma Ruby was a special lady.

Kathy McC said...

((((hugs)))))

Aurelia said...

I'm sorry, it is tough losing the last one, like closing a door.

Holley said...

Big hugs. It is difficult losing the last link to a generation.

more hugs.

Mom

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