Two weeks ago, I got the dreaded phone call announcing the passing of someone near and dear to me. My sweet grandmother, diagnosed 10 weeks prior with cancer, struggling through 2 chemo sessions, left this world with an incredible legacy. She had an amazing journey and while logically I am so glad that she didn’t have to suffer incredible amounts of pain, or have a lingering hospital stay or live her life’s last days wondering if it would be the last, my heart still aches. I knew that my time with her was limited, I just didn’t know how limited and am still not ready for this monumental death in my family. She is our matriarch, my mother’s mother. The one who we circled around, the one who kept my extended family rooted in central Illinois, the one we all depended on. And by we all, I’m not just talking a handful or people, I mean her siblings and spouses (8), her children and their spouses (9), her grandchildren and their spouses (27) and her great grandchildren (19) not to mention all of our extended families and her friends. Her tree has 63 branches all who adore and love her.
I spent the christmas holiday in her home, without her. And while there were many moments that felt as though nothing had changed, there were bigger silences acknowledging the passing. Luckily, I had some quiet times to soak up everything that I loved about her. Welcome to her home.
A door handle mounted on upside down, for at least a decade. I think it was just 4 years ago that in my frustration to open the dam thing, she declared, "Turn it up, it's mounted upside down." Which helped, and every time I opened that door, I laughed at how hard it is to open the other way.
A thermostat set way to high. Grandma always gave out flannel pajama pants for Christmas to everyone. Unfortunately to be in her home in the winter, the average person slept in shorts.
6 comments:
beautifully written Kate.....made me even chuckle at some of the humorous parts......thanks for sharing her home and your thoughts.
Wonderful post Kate.
Beautifully written and photographed, Kate. I only met your grandmother earlier this year, but she was such a warm person and her home reflects that! Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful pictures and memories, Kate. How wonderful that you will have those to look back on. Your Grandma was such a sweet lady. May she rest in peace.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Kate! Thanks for the journey into her home. Those will be a special memory for years to come. What a wonderful lady she was!
Beautiful!
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