My granny passed away in the early morning of December 12, 2010. This past Friday, December 17, 2010 was her funeral. The funeral was a very emotional time, but also it was filled with joyful memories.Granny's mind left us a long time ago. She had battled Alzheimer's Disease for about 10 years. Through that time, I felt myself slip away from her. It was very difficult for me to see both her and my grandad, who also suffered from the disease and passed away in 2006. It made me sad that my granny didn't know who I was, although I knew that she did love me. As she got worse, it was harder for me to see her. I didn't know what to say or how to act around her, but I still tried my hardest to see her.
A week before she died, I was able to say goodbye to her as she was in and out of coherency. She was able to say bye to me. A week later, she was gone and I knew that she once again knew who I was, that I am happily married, and that I do love her.
The funeral was both a happy and sad time. I learned new things about what kind of woman my granny was, and I was reminded of some fond memories of her.
- My Granny was big on manners. We always had to say please and thank you when we would ask for gum or candy or cookies or whatever other goodies we wanted.
- She made the best tomato sandwiches. I called them "Granny Sandwiches." Somehow, they were different from other sandwiches, like she had a secret ingredient for them. I have never made a sandwich as good.
- She had a beautiful voice and was always singing or humming or whistling through her teeth. She also had a song she sang to me. "Ca Ca Ca Caity, Ca Ca Ca Caity. You're the only one that IIII adore. When the mo mo moon shines, over the cow shed, I'll be waiting at the KKKkitchen door." She had different versions for other cousins as well, but she always made me feel special when she sang it to just me.
- She gave the best back rubs. She had fake nails and it felt terrific! If she came to church with us, I knew if I sat by her she would rub my back for a long time. And she usually would give me candy or gum from her purse.
- She was a very classy beautiful lady.
- She made every grandchild feel like the favorite
- She let me and my two cousins, Tifanee and Adriana, play in her room, even when we would sneak in her makeup. (I'm sure she knew)
- She was deeply in love with my grandad
bittersweet :) That's so cute, those memories you have of her. Family is the best and I'm glad you have such great family around you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post! It's so nice to be able to remember all the good things about our grandparents. I remember when my Grandma passed away last January and I kept remembering all the fun things that we use to do together. It makes me feel so grateful for Heavenly Father and the love he has for us by making families last forever! What a blessing! I loved reading about your Granny...you guys had some good times :)
ReplyDeleteAh man Caitlin this was such a tear jerker! I totally miss Granny! And like you I felt myself slip away. I was telling my friend that I do not think I can remember Granddad before Alzheimer's and granny before is getting harder to remember. I try to remember more and more, but I was so young when they started to go down :(. Love yoi loads cousin!
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