moving forward

Before I begin, I just want to say thank you to everyone for your sympathy and words of encouragement at the passing of my friend and neighbor.  It's been a really hard couple of days.  I knew it was coming but the knowing didn't lessen the impact of overwhelming loss and grief I experienced.  After a couple days of just going thru the motions, I have decided I have to "behave my way" to a new normal.  I know Karen would want that for me and I know I need to do that for my family.  So moving forward, one step (and day) at a time....

Because yesterday was grandparent's day, I thought I would post (belatedly) a little about my grandparents:

 

The photo above is of my paternal grandparents.  I have fond memories (separately and together) of them both.  I used to go to church with my "pop pop" and none of my brothers did (so that made me feel special) and my "mom mom" caught me stuffing my bra in preadolescence which was very embarrassing but she was pretty good at keeping secrets!  Both of them have been gone for a long time now and aside from the usual things, I wonder funny things about them.  Like what would they be like if they were growing up today??  or how would our relationship be different now that I'm an adult??  or would we be friends if we were the same age and not family?  Anyone else think off the wall thoughts like that or is my brain still kinda askew?  

 

My maternal grandparents (pictured above) are a whole other story.  I know them so much better  because they've been around a lot longer (I'm still lucky enough to have them here today).  We had a standing Tuesday night supper date during my years in college.  On those evenings we discussed everything from the Titanic to Marilyn Monroe to growing fruit & vegetables.  It was a wonderful experience that I always feel privileged to have enjoyed.  Now I live two thousand miles away and don't get to see them but I carry all those memories in my heart.  I think we can learn so much from older generations and I don't know why our culture doesn't value them more?  Maybe "Grandparent's Day" is a "Hallmark holiday" but it's probably one that should be emphasized more.  Most years I am guilty of skipping right over it (like lots of people) but this year I actually remembered it.  How about you?

Comments

[PGL]

How nice that you have those wonderful photos of your grandparents. I'm lucky to have my paternal grandparents, they live with us. My maternal grandparents have been gone for awhile now.

[gail]

The older I get, the more I treasure family memories, photos and time with treasured people. I wish I had asked all those important family questions when they were with us. When my mom passed away this spring, we all lost the last member of her generation. Of course, I will be our son and his children's grandmother some day!

I love the photos of your grandparents, they were happy looking young couples, probably very in love and just starting out!

It's a good thing you're doing for yourself and your family! Your friend would want you to embrace life and celebrate.

gail

[Cinj]

I thought grandparent's day was tomorrow. Oh, I'm so confused. Why is it they make such a big deal about mother's day and father's day, but not gradparents day? All of my grandparents have been gone for at least a few years. There are many times I wishfully thing that they were still here to offer me the support and guidance they used to try to give. As a teenager though who could listen to their grandparents and still be cool? If I had only known then what I know now!

[Briana]

I think about that all the time! My maternal grandfather passed away when my mom was in college and I never got to meet him. I've heard lots of stories about him and what a great sense of humor he had. I often wonder how he would have fit into our family today. Very sweet post.

[Kathleen]

Thank you Briana. It's good to know I'm not alone with these thoughts!