This post is dedicated to my grandma. She passed away yesterday after gracing the world with her presence for 89 short years.
I'm heartbroken and happy all at the same time. I'm so glad she was my grandma. She was smart, cheeky, funny, graceful and classy. About 5 years ago she was diagnosed with Dementia. But the best part of this is the way she delt with it. She was so graceful. If she didn't recognize you or didn't remember you, she'd never let you know! She'd hold a conversation with you as if she had just visited with you yesterday. (hence you having to tell her the same thing over again). She had the most amazing stories of her time in the airforce and meeting my grandfather and how all the men wanted to date her but she was a shy, timid woman. She danced with Trudeau and wasn't impressed by him. (Love that story). And if she didn't like something you said she'd stick her tongue out at you! That was the best. I wish I could remember all the details so I could share it.
My most favorite memory of her of all times took place June 1988. My grandpa had passed away earlier that year and she got a piano when he died. He always wanted to get her one because she played so gracefully and sung so wonderful. That year I got to finish school about 2 weeks before everyone else (grade 4) so I drove out to Westbank (just south of Kelowna) with my grandma and my uncle Glen. I remember sitting in her kitchen at the table listening to her play the piano and sing. She had the most beautiful voice ever. Well she took a little break and the phone rang and it was one of her neighbours telling her to open her windows wider and to start singing again because it was so beautiful. People walking by would stop at her yard and just listen. Just thinking about that brings tears to my eyes.
She stopped playing the piano about 5 years ago I think. She just wouldn't play it and one of the first times I went over there with Darrell he asked her if she played and she said "I used to, I don't know how anymore" He says really, can I try. And he opened it up and she sat with him and just started playing! We were stunned! She wouldn't play for anyone but she did for him. Then everytime we went over after that she'd be like "Do you want me to play for you". And then apperantly she started playing a little more often. I want that piano. That piano brings me so many happy memories.
My grandma like I said was a cheeky lady. She's funny. After I gave birth to E one of my uncles told her I had a baby. And she was like "WHAT! Is she married?", yes mom you were at the wedding, "Ok good then atleast she doesn't have to rush and get married". So when we took E to go see her when she was about 3 weeks old my grandma was so funny. First off again the comment was "You better marry the father." Yes grandma I already did. "Ok good!" Then she kepted calling her what a cute boy, how old is he. "Grandma it's a girl and she's 3 weeks old" she kept saying it like every few minutes and then she goes "OH yes, it's a girl, oh who cares they all look the same when they are babies no one knows". hahaha Yes that is true, but she's wearing pink, and she goes "So, Glen wore pink sometimes because that is what I had"... that reminds me, we need to bug my uncle for wearing pink.
I'm glad that we got the chance to take some pictures with her last fall with Emma. Mom and I went down and we took some great 4 generation pictures. I will treasure those pictures forever. I'm also glad she was well enough to celebrate her birthday this year with everyone. We got some great pictures there too.
My grandma had the most amazing house in Westbank ever. I LOVE IT! I've always wanted to go buy that house back. Her and my grandpa took amazing care of that house and yard. It was this big 5 bedroom house. They had fruit trees galore. I believe there was 2 cherry trees, 3 apple trees and 3 peach trees. And the softest grass ever. It was like walking on soft carpet it was so amazing. All the neighbourhood kids would gather at her corner lot in the crescent and just sit and talked. She loved it. When she moved the people who bought it didn't take good care of it. I'm sorry but if you buy a house with a big lot, be prepared to look after it! It was so maddening to see it. We went back about 5 years after she sold it and just couldn't believe it! There was cars parked on the grass, half the grass was dead. We knew it wasn't good as neighbours kept in touch with us and her and told her about it. I think it broke her heart. Her and my grandpa bought it when they retired and took such pride in it. 3 years ago D and I were out in BC so I showed him and the new owners started to take better care but it still wasn't the same. Last year we went and I cried. I cried and cried. Someone cut down almost all the trees and half the grass was dead. I just wanted to walk up to the door and yell at them and offer to buy it. One day I will buy it and restore it back to how amazing it was before. That I would love to do but the whole neighbourhood just isn't the same anymore. Funny how things happen like that. I'm just glad that I have spent the best summers of my life there and I will always remember how happy we were to be there.
One thing I wonder about, when you die are you healthy again? Like when you go to heaven are you "back to normal"? The reason I ask this and I'm glad I wasn't there to see it. She saw a picture of herself and my grandpa and she knew who she was but didn't know who he was. That was sad. My mom said everyone was so quiet when she asked and when they told her she just says "Oh, he's cute". LOL Yes grandma he was! I''d like to think when she gets there that he's up there waiting for her asking what took her so long! 21 years almost to the day after he passed away she decided it was time to join him and I hope she is happy to be in his arms again.
Grandma, I love you so much. Thank you for being an amazing grandma. I cherish the times we spent together and will treasure those memories for ever.
