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Thursday, February 18, 2010

And then there were none

A long day without a moment to think. Out of the house at 6:45 AM and home at 11 PM, I am thankful that the sun rises earlier now, and I am home for a tiny bit of daylight. Not much light shining for the family today though, with the passing today of my final grandparent. Though the grandma I knew had been gone for many years, her mind some other place and her body still here with us, her passing marks the passing of a generation. I keep thinking about the photos she shared with such pride. She and her sisters, real "lookers" in their not-at-all revealing swimsuits on the Long Island beaches between the wars. Meeting my Grandpa, a honeymoon and shipping out, and my dad, a wartime baby whose picture was carried in the pocket of my Grandpa serving in the Pacific. He was nearly 3 when they finally met face-to-face. My grandpa, a war veteran, but a man who said little of war or anything else. That's okay, because Grandma said it all for both of them. She was a woman on a mission for as long as I remember. Whether it was getting the city to cut down trees, fighting for grocery bargains, or some function at "The Center" her elder years were active. Our long trips from New York to Virginia were met with pot roasts and recycled family jokes. The house full of pictures and random family treasures, the matriarch on my father's side, and another piece of my childhood now lives only in my heart and in my memory.

5 comments:

Kathy Zeigerson said...

You clearly have so many wonderful memories of her that will stay with you for ever. Cherish them always. I'm sorry for your loss.

MJ said...

A post that captures your thoughts and memories beautifully. I wish there were some other something to say other than I'm sorry.

BJNR said...

Beautiful memories of a wonderful woman. I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Beth said...

Condolences to you and your family. It sounds like she had/made a wonderful life, full of wonderful people. If that's not a legacy, I don't what is.

SJR said...

JSG - I'm sorry to hear this. Grandmothers are very, very special people. You brought tears to my eyes (not surprising, huh?) for you and because almost 12 years later, I still think of my Ma-ma quite often. She was also the matriarch on my dad's side, and said more than enough for her and Pa-pa together. Those memories will have you smiling for years.

You're in my heart as I grieve with you. Hugs.