A Joyful Remembrance

In the last couple of months I've had the opportunity to share with you some little details about my great-grandfather and my grandfather on their birthdays. 

This time I am writing to share with you a little bit about the life of my great grandmother, who passed away at 96 this last weekend.  She is my last great grandparent to leave the earth, I was very blessed to have her in my life for so long.  She was one of the great grandmothers that I was closer to.

I've mentioned her before in this post.  And I think it really sums things up (from a great-grandchild perspective).  She was very pleasant and kind, but also very realistic and straightforward.  She and my great grandfather were married fairly young, they had five children, one of which they lost when he was very young (5, I believe).  They spent their young adulthood taking care of their family.  I think my great grandpa worked a job during the day and the theater at night. 

I know my great grandma loved great grandpa very much.  We were talking once about a man that had died young (50's) and she said to me, "I know I felt robbed when your grandpa died (of prostate cancer, about a month after I was born) in his 70's!"  My grandmother says her mom always felt like great grandpa was a gift from God to her.  It makes me think she must be very happy to be with him now!

I went to her home in North Dakota as a girl, but I don't remember much about it except that it took so long to drive across Montana.  I do remember her coming to visit my grandparents once a year until about 9 years ago.  In fact, her last visit to the pacific northwest was the year Bill and I got married.  She was visiting when we announced our engagement I believe.  I think she was very happy about that.  I remember having good chats with her during these visits.  She and my grandmother taught me to knit when I was a young girl.  I could get out some needles and do a knit stitch quite easily at 21, even though I hadn't done it since....well, since they had taught me probably. (Interestingly, I started knitting again in 2010 and am finally starting to get somewhere with it. All those things I could have learned so much earlier!)  I believe she also taught me to embroider, and gave me a pillow case set to do.  I finished them but honestly don't know where they went!

 For our wedding she sent a set of dishtowels she had embroidered herself.  I love them!  I've had a hard time over the last 8 years using them - although I'm sure she would want me to! But I want them to last FOREVER.

About 18 months ago, I took my daughter (then almost 3) on a train ride to North Dakota and met up with my grandparents and a couple of Uncles for great grandmothers 95th birthday.  My great aunt Edie fed us (and fed and fed us. Yum.) and sheltered us for the week.  We all got together on her birthday for cake.  Luckily she shared a balloon with Miriam.

I'll admit I was really rooting for one more train trip and one more birthday party, but it's okay.  I'm glad I took the time when I did, and I'm glad for the many ways she blessed our lives.