Favorite Memory, Favorite Gift…
Ninety-three candles on a birthday cake could resemble a flaming pincushion. So we opted instead for the symbolic “nine and three” combination for Grandma this time…
Ninety-three. Remarkable. She was born in 1915 (Grandma and I do the math on a regular basis); and to the surprise of us both, it all added up to 93 years on Sunday… Her past few years have included some unscheduled challenges but she remains a lovely highlight in any day. Especially a “birth” day…
The “wish list” of a care center resident is pared down to essentials that might include visits and phone calls, photos, breath mints, and flowers to brighten the compact space. These details say, “I love you”: the core need of us all. But one of Grandma’s favorite gifts, and the one I most love to give to her, is one of the cherished memories that slip like faint dreams from her grasp. The following excerpt includes one of Grandma’s treasures:
“But she asked about Grandpa… I gave her my favorite memory from one of those final days. Of that moment in a late anonymous afternoon when Grandpa had looked up at her from his chair in the living room as she’d bustled by, her grief generating a constant momentum. “Mary,” he said with a mix of thankfulness and longing, “I’d be adrift without you…” His eyes sought the soul of his love, my grandma. She squeezed his knee and hugged him, perhaps seeing momentarily, a glimpse of her protector, lover, and life-long best friend. And I froze the moment within my heart, knowing it to be sacred.”
It’s like a favorite bedtime story. Somehow landing in both “fresh” and “familiar” at the same time. Her eyes widen with recognition, her heart leaps across her face, and she reminds me, “He was such a good man.” And I agree. And tell her how very much I love her.
It was a good birthday.
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I wonderful birthday post. All the best to your grandmother.
That was lovely, Heather. Your grandmother is a special lady…
She’s so gorgeous. Seriously, she is the sweetest thing. I have this enormous affinity for elderly people with all their stories. I have actually applied recently for a job that involves matching caregivers with elderly people. I would love to have that constant contact with them.
Thass Amazing!!
Great Smiles*********
Rock On Grannie!!
;)) Peace*
Thanks Jean-Luc and Nina!
Grandma can really sparkle! I love that first photo of her with Hannah…
Suzanne,
-Now that would be an incredibly fulfilling kind of job! No one wants to be forgotten. And no one should be…
And you’re right about the stories!! I learn so much from Grandma and the other residents in her care center!
Billy,
Ha! Thanks for admiring my grandma with me!
Beautiful posting Heather!
Susan
www.catapultfitnessblog.com
How beautiful and inspiring, Heather. What a lovely family you have…so caring.
Give your grandmother a hug for me!!!
Hugs, JJ
Fabulously touching… Enjoy the moment. And 93 - Wow! It’s nice to have those genes. And it’s nice for your kids to spend time with a great-grand parent. All the best to her on her special day!
Beautifully written glimpse of love and devotion traversing a stream of generations. Made me cry.
“Adrift”- interesting phrasing…
“cause this moment keeps on moving…we were never meant to hold on”
Cherish your sweet memories, and never stop writing.
fc