Another Goodbye

It seems nearly yesterday that we buried my Papa. It was nearly yesterday. It was nearly 6 months ago. The memories so fresh and the emotions not forgotten.

And now we will bury my grandma who hopefully has joined my Papa in heaven.

This day was coming. This season of life and death had been there all along, but yet the raw feeling of an aching heart has a distinct feeling. You walk around in a slight haze awaiting the inevitable.

Last week was a rough one for my grandma Rita. There is too many medical ups and downs to recount here. Thankfully, I was able to spend several hours with her last Thursday. I hope she knew I was there and heard my voice. I hope she heard me sing the song to her that she sang me all my childhood whenever I helped her in the kitchen. 

A determined and strong woman until the end, she couldn't let go until everything had been tried. 

She was perhaps the grandparent in my life I was closest to. The one I spent so many hours with as I helped her bake, cook and wash dishes in the old farmhouse. It was she whom I would go to see as I walked across the meadow with grandpa and grandma's house in sight. Many summers were spent in the garden with grandma weeding and picking vegetables. Days long gone by when we'd hang the laundry on the line or while she rested in the afternoon I'd sit on the couch near her. The memories of baked bread, coffeecakes, fried hamburgers or an afternoon cake fresh from the oven are the treasured ones that I still vividly recall. 

I am grateful for these memories of my grandma, grandpa and their simple life. Things were tough for them with life on the farm and health issues all their lives. What they couldn't supply in gifts or money, they did in love and little things that have no earthly value. They shared their home with so many family and friends, while sharing pieces of them and their hearts as well. 

While the Church celebrated the feast of the Ascension yesterday, I prayed that my grandma saw that same glory of Heaven as she left this world at 5:30 am. 

I am grateful that I took all my kids to visit grandma, just over a month ago, on her birthday.

That simple visit is the last one my children will remember and it's a good one.

And Jonah will always remember his birthday buddy, my grandma, as we think of her and pray for her each year as Jonah celebrates his special day.

I love you grandma. 

May the angels and Saints surround you and welcome you to your heavenly home.

Eternal rest, grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.   Amen.