Sorry no bookish cheer today. My Grandma died this morning. She fell at home and broke her hip the evening of December 21st. Despite a few setbacks, she had been in good cheer and even though she was 98-years-old, it seemed like she would be able to get well again. But my mom called me today to give me the news. Grandma’s heart gave out this morning.
There is a lot I will miss, but what I will miss most is her letters. We’ve been writing letters to each other since I went off to college in 1986. Her last letter to me was just before Christmas. I’ve saved every one of them.
Grandma — Evelyn — grew up on a Minnesota farm and married a farmer. And even though she moved to California a very long time ago now, that practical farming sensibility remained with her always. She would worry but never panic. She was generous and kind. Even after my grandpa died in the mid 90s she still signed her name “Mrs. Harold Hollmichel.” She loved flowers and gardening and though she hasn’t been able to garden for years, she loved for me tell her about my garden in our letters.
She loved beautiful things but was of the generation where you put them away to keep and only brought them out on special occasions. She had a hummingbird feeder hanging outside her kitchen window above the sink and she liked to wash dishes and watch the hummingbirds come to the feeder. One year I sent her a beautiful glass feeder as a present and she wrapped it back up and put it away. When my mom asked why she didn’t hang it up, she said it was too pretty and didn’t want it spoiled. It took some work on my mom’s part to convince her that she should hang it up. What got her to do it was asking her how I would feel if I came to visit and found out the feeder was in the closet instead of hanging out where she could enjoy it.
Grandma had a strong faith in God and while I myself don’t believe, if it turns out there is a heaven, she’s definitely there. And if that’s the case, I hope she’s sitting in the shade surrounded by the sweet smell of flowers and watching the hummingbirds.
So sorry to hear about your grandma. Your post brings out her qualities so well. Having loved and lost my own grandmother a few years ago, I can honestly say part of her has never left me. It’s like I was told at the time: you may lose the person, but you get to keep the love. I hope that’s true for you.
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I’m sorry to read of your grandmother’s passing. May you always have the wonderful memories of her, and when you think of her, smile as big as you are in that photo!
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My sympathies, Stefanie. Your post is a lovely tribute; she sounds like a very special person.
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So sorry to hear about your grandmother–you have my condolences. She sounds like a really lovely person and a very special one, too. Its sounds like you will have many happy memories of her!
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I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
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I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. What a lovely tribute to her.
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I am so sorry to hear of your grandmother’s death but thank you for sharing some of your memories of her with us. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
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Grandmothers are so special. I’m very sorry for your loss. She sounds like an especially special one.
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So very sorry for your loss. You were so lucky to have each other!
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So sorry about your Grandma. She sounds wonderful. Thanks for writing about her.
Meta.
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Lovely tribute to someone who sounds very special. My grandmother died under the same circumstances – she was 93 1/2. I guess it’s the common way for healthy women of that age to go. Gran died, like yours a couple of weeks or so after the fall.
That was quite a long time ago now, but her lovely smile and sense of fun are with me still. Special people do stay with us. xxx
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My sympathies on your loss. Thank you for writing about her in this post.
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My sympathies, Stefanie, but your post is such a wonderful tribute it is clear that she will live on in the memories of those who love her.
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Oh, Stefanie — so sorry to hear of this. I send you hugs. What a wonderful tribute you have written here for your dear grandmother. Your concluding thoughts are so similar to the eulogy I gave for my father, only with him it was his favorite apple tree he was tending to.
Over meadow-lands they tripped,
Where the dandelions dipped
In crimson foam of clover-bloom,
And dripped and dripped and dripped;
And they clinched the bumble-stings,
Gauming honey on their wings,
And bundling them in lily-bells,
With maudlin murmurings.
And the humming-bird that hung
Like a jewel up among
The tilted honeysuckle-horns,
They mesmerized, and swung
In the palpitating air,
Drowsed with odors strange and rare,
And with whispered laughter, slipped away,
And left him hanging there.
— James Whitcomb Riley, The South Wind and the Sun —
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Stefanie. This is a lovely tribute to her memory. Hugs.
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I am sorry to read of your loss. Your piece realiy brings out her qualities.
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I am so sorry to hear about your grandma. She sounds like a wonderful lady, who would have loved this celebration of her life. Sending big hugs.
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Sorry about you loss, she sounds like a lovely woman. I’m sure she will be missed.
In many ways she reminded me of an elderly aunt of mine who passed away 2 years ago at 97. Every birthday, every Christmas she received beautiful blouses, pajamas and sweaters from us, and yet chose to save them and wear her tattered clothes. When she passed away we donated bags and bags of new with tags items — sad but that was the way she was growing up in the depression.
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I’m so sorry for your loss Stefanie. What a lovely post. And I had to laugh about the hummingbird feeder – I am the same way! (in fact, I actually have some hummingbird feeders all packed up and put away even now! LOL But I think this story has inspired me to get them out and enjoy their beauty while I can.)
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I am so sorry for your loss, Stefanie. 98! Wow! She certainly lived a full life and I am glad that you had all the time with her that you did. It still hurts to lose someone no matter how long they had in this life and I pray that you and your family has peace and comfort during this time of loss and that you are regularly reminded of fun memories you have of your grandmother.
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Thank you all for you kind thoughts and wishes. They truly are a comfort.
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What a lovely and fitting eulogy for a woman of unfaded beauty.
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The picture breathes love shared. May you find comfort in the many loving memories.
You are in my thoughts.
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So sorry for your loss..what a beautiful piece you’ve written in memory of her. My grandma was the same way about beautiful things – I’m so glad she got to enjoy your lovely gift after all. She sounds like she was a wonderful woman.
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I’m sorry to see this, Stefanie. Please accept my condolences.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. She lives on in your memory and the person you are. And if she is right, and we’re both wrong, she’s watching the hummingbirds feeling proud of her beloved grand-daughter.
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I’m really sorry, Stefanie–she sounds simply wonderful.
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I’m very sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful lady.
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What a wonderful testimony to someone who was special to you
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When I look at a hummingbird feeder in future, I will think of your grandmother and your touching tribute. Very sorry to read of her passing; please accept my condolences.
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Beautiful post. I love all the simple things about your grandmother. So sorry for your loss.
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My heart goes out to you, Stefanie, for the loss of your beloved Grandma. That is a beautiful post you’ve written in her memory, and a lovely photo for keepsake.
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I am so sorry for your loss! This is a great post/tribute to your Grandma. My sympathies…
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She sounds a lot like my grandmother, whom I still miss. Sending you hugs and warm thoughts… she sounds wonderful, and what a lovely tradition of sending letters…
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Stefanie, what a beautiful tribute this is. Your grandmother would be so proud and happy to know that you did this. My condolences.
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Thanks sis, this is a nice post. I am sure Grandma likes it, even if she never understood what your blog was.🙂 And a nice picture, she’s not even making the “Grandma face”. I will miss her very much, but I know she is happy to be with Grandpa.
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So sorry to hear of your loss. And that’s so wonderful that you have those letters to keep.
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I am so sorry that you lost such a wonderful woman. She sounds very much like my late mother, even to the putting away things too pretty to use. They would have been about the same age. I have to tell you, though, that I miss my mother more after thirteen years than I did when she died, dementia having taken her from me years before her death. You’ll be glad of the letters you wrote to each other, as my mother and I did, too. It’s like hearing their voices again.
Someone recently told me that Buddhists believe that life / love is a contract with sorrow. I suppose there should be solace in that, but the pain is still there. My thoughts are with you.
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Thank you all. Thank you for your thoughts and wonderful kind words.
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I’m sorry for your loss of a beloved grandparent, friend, and correspondent. What a lovely tribute.
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Sorry to hear about your Grandmom Stefanie. She sounded really nice &
I’m sure she will be missed😦 I’m glad you have such great memories of her!
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I too have a grandma named Evelyn who is 96, and ailing. Your tribute brought a tear to my eye. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that all your wonderful memories are helping you through this tough time.
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I am so sorry about your loss. But with such wonderful memories, I am sure she will continue to live on in your heart forever. Will remember you and your family in my prayers!
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My condolences. I’m so glad your mom convinced her to use the hummingbird feeder you sent her.
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Hello, I am a new follower (followed from Captive Reader). I am sorry to hear of your loss. Like you I had a wonderful relationship with my Grandmother who also wrote to me. I still have all her letters and enjoy reading them. My Grandmother passed away in 1995, so a while ago, but she is as important to me now as then and not a day goes past when I don’t think of her and the wonderful memories.
The coming days and weeks will be hard, but look to the good times you shared and remember, she really is in your heart.
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Passing is very serious in Japan. For a few years people’s manners and words toward you must change if a family member has passed. Many ceremonies are performed (over a 50 to 99 year period).
However, there is a special term “daiojo” (大往生) which is reserved for talking about people who lived very long and satisfactory lives. It sounds as if that applies perfectly in this case. I especially appreciated that she still sent you letters at 98.
Blessings on you and your grandmother. I’m sure the hummingbirds are beautiful in God’s garden.
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My belated sympathies. It seems that you two had a great relationship. I’m sure you will treasure her letters. I hope you can be in touch with the rest of your family in this difficult time of grief.
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Thank you everyone for all your kindness and thoughts.
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