My Grandma

My Grandma died tonight...4 days after my grandpa and 5 days before her 86th birthday. The early birthday card I mailed is going to arrive tomorrow. A day too late. My grandparents were quite a couple. My entire life they have spent nearly every minute of every day together. So, it doesn't surprise me that my grandma would want to embrace death quickly in order to get back to his side. This is what she wanted and she was a lady who was used to getting what she wants. I did get to talk to her on the phone the day my grandpa died and that last conversation was a sweet one. She told me that everything was okay and that she and grandpa had a beautiful happy marriage and life together and she told me to do the same thing. She told me to love my two precious kids and that she was proud of me.

My grandma always made my favorite meal the first night we arrived to spend a week with them in the summers. Swiss steak, creamed corn, and fried okra were the highlights. A couple of years ago she taught me how to make that famous swiss steak as I helped her. I am so glad we did that. She taught me how to read before I started kindergarten. She let me play with her big box of old rubber stamps and ink. She always had lots of delicious treats to eat that she made especially for us. She was a strong determined woman. She worked hard on their farm and tucked away almost everything to save in case she needed it. The depression era certainly left its mark on her, for she wasted not and saved away. Their old cellar was stuffed full of goods she had canned, and they probably owned 50 blankets at one point. She always wanted to have plenty of linens.

She adored my grandpa. Their love was sincere, deep, unshakable. Their example in marriage was a true blessing in my life. I am sure I've never seen another couple so happy as they were with each other. Books and movies could easily be based on their real life love story for a thrilling and sentimental experience.

It hasn't been easy losing two cherished grandparents within a few days. However, I always viewed them as a "unit" and am able to continue to do so even in my grieving process. I always knew them to be together in life...and now death.