Goodbye Rosemary

[sass_in_the_pants]

I think there is a natural alliance between the very old and the very young. Maybe it's because they're both sick of those of us in the middle telling them what to do. Maybe it's because they're both so close to the edge, with the babies just arriving and the old ones about to leave. Maybe they reassure eachother - the old reassuring the young that this place that they're about to spend their mortal lives isn't so bad after all, and the young ones reassuring the old ones that the place they're going to is the place that they just came from, and that it's not so bad, either.

I don't know really, but I do know that in Grammy's mind children were wonderful, grandchildren were angels and great-grandchildren were simply the closest you could get to heaven on earth.

She passed away on Tuesday. Her funeral is tomorrow.

What makes me the most sad is that she won't ever get to hold our babies. I know, I know, they would never remember being held by her, but I would remember. It would be one of my memories, that I get to keep.

During her final hours, the whole family stood around her bed, stroking her hair and holding her hand. We all told her how much we loved her, and how she didn't need to worry about us anymore, that she could go now and that we would take care of eachother. I don't know if she heard us or not. I just wanted to stay with her for as long as she was willing to stay with me. When good Grammys die, someone should be holding their hand.

She was 83, and for all those years, she lived a very happy and full life. And really, we should all be so lucky - 83 years of good times, then one week of being sick, and then you die, surrounded by people who loved you. We should all be so lucky.

I miss her already. I've cried alot since Tuesday, but it's okay, it's the good kind of crying. It's the kind of crying you do when you had something great and then you lost it. I feel sorry for people who don't ever cry like that, because they must not have ever had anything great to lose. We knew she would go eventually, Grammys aren't one of those things that you get to keep, I understand that. I'm grateful for the time that I had with her. I just miss her, that's all.

[Fierce Critter]

{{{hugs for Sass}}}

Dear, cry all you want. And when you're done - cry some more.

I'd miss her, too. She sounded lovely.

My mother is 82, my dad is 81 - that's right, my parents are the age of the grandparents of most people on here. They're both in great health, absurdly fit & young-looking for their numerical age.

But all their friends, cousins, Knights of Columbus fellows, sisters, etc are dying all around them.

It can't help but get a person thinking about how much time I have left with them.

Posts like yours remind me to be greatful for every second I can get.

[Msterbeau]

*HUgs*

My dad's father missed seeing my first daughter by about 8 months. He was soooo looking forward to my ex and I having a child. I hope your granny finds a happy and peaceful place.

[Shade Everdark]

I don't much else to say except that you have my sincerest condolences.

Don't be ashamed of crying. I know it's cheesy, but as Gandalf said at the end of Lord of the Rings, "...not all tears are an evil."

[sass_in_the_pants]

Thanks you guys. You're all really sweet.

[Brenda Starrr]

This is a subject of which I know too well.

I was pregnant with Sierra as my Grandma lay dying of cancer. My family feared that I would spontaneously miscarry because I was so distraught. Grandma and I were VERY close. Knowing that she would never hold my daughter was hard for me. Sierra would have benefitted so much from knowing her like I knew her. She passed away the day following the Oklahoma bombing. And she speaks through Sierra periodically, saying things that only Grandma and I knew.

It's like she's been here all along. But I still wish I could hug her again....

[creatureofthenyte]

My grandma dropped dead standing right in front of me a few years ago.

We were at my aunts house for a dinner visit, and she was holding one of my cousin's kids.

She handed the child back to my cousin.

And then she was gone.

I'm sorry for you loss.

[pomba gira]

I went through the same thing almost a year ago so I truly feel you on this. Like your grammy, my Aunt Myrt lived a long, full life and was loved & cherished by everyone who knew her. And she was blessed to pass on surrounded by loved ones (although I didn't make it in time... but her spirit came and said goodbye as I was racing to get there). These are things to be grateful for... I'm also grateful I got to spend a lot of time with her in her final weeks here. In fact the last thing she said to me was to thank me for taking care of her. So... yeah I did a lot of crying... and you should, too... but I've also taken a lot of comfort in the many blessings of her life and the manner of her passing... and you will, too.

Creatureofthenyte, that must have been so hard for you all.. but, at least you know her final moments were full of family and love. It almost sounds like she gave the little one her final blessing.

[Kit Kat P]

I wish I could do more for you then offer my condolences. It sounds like you do have one last beautiful memory that you will be able to pass, and in that way you can still show what a beautiful person she was.

[Homicidalheathen]

There is no love like a grandmas love. Hugs.

[TrixieGothGirl]

I am so sorry for your loss. But if it's of any comfort, I think that she can see your children from where she is. She sounds like she was a very wonderful woman. Take comfort that she is in a very peaceful place. *hugs*