26 November 2009

11-26-09


This morning, my grandma died.
Her name was Edeltraut but everyone called her Eddie <3
She was 100% a BFF as well as a grandma.
Although I'm totally at peace knowing that my grandma is in a much better place, my heart still aches for her tonight.
I guess it's selfish but oh well.
After my grandpa died, she down-sized to a condo in my neighborhood. We lived on the same street for about 4 years.
She would call me every night to go out to dinner. We ate out soooo much that I literally was sick of eating out. I never knew that was possible. People at the restaurants around where I live still ask about her :)
We played cards with two of her girlfriends on Thursday.
Bible Study on Wednesday nights.
Church, Penn Station, and Target every Sunday.
Most Saturdays I would go to garage sales with her and my dad.
We spent a lot of time together.
2 years ago she had a stroke which affected a lot of her memory which meant she had to get moved to an assisted living facility. She still knew all of us and was still herself. She was able to get around just fine and eat about 4 ice cream bars a day :)
Last night my dad and I visited her and sat with her around her bed for a couple of hours, holding her hands, playing with her hair, talking to her.
She is soooo stinkin cute!!
Out of no where she would say John (my dad), I love you :)
When we left, I went to give her a hug and kiss.
I said , "Ill see you tomorrow Grandma, it's Thanksgiving."
She said "See you tomorrow"
I said, "I love you grandma"
nothing.
"I love you grandma. Do you love me?"
"Double." she said with a smile.
Our last conversation ever.
She was an amazing grandma.
AMAZING.
Creative, loving, giving, kind, funny, and sweet.
She never got sick and she never complained.
I can be completely honest in saying that she is the strongest woman that I have ever met.
I've never been a huge fan of Thanksgiving, to be honest, but after today it will always be a holiday for remembering her and I think that's pretty cool.
I will miss her sooooooo much but Im happy that she is perfect right now and having Thanksgiving with my grandpa <3
So for number 26 on my thankful thirty, I have to say that I am truly blessed and thankful for the special time I was able to spend with my grandma last night. It's a memory I will always treasure. I am also thankful for the 29 years of memories and advice, and help, and love, and kindness that she gave to me as well:)

I love you grandma!!!

25 comments:

  1. i love you, janel!

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  2. oh janel, i'm so sorry for your loss. she sounds like an amazing, amazing, amazing woman, someone definitely worth knowing. I'm glad you told us so much about her, because she sounds like one of the coolest grandmas ever.

    if you need anything, i (and i'm sure everyone else that reads this) is here for you. you and your family will be in my prayers.

    huge huge tons of blog love.

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  3. Oh, how much fun we used to have with Eddie - what a blast! You are right - she is so cute, sweet, lovable, strong, and all those things you said. Every time I would go to visit her she would act sooooo happy to see me and be so positive. We would recite Bible verses together and just talk and she would always tell me how much she loved her family and what a great family she had. (Which I agree!) The last time I visited her was just 2 days ago. Mostly she just slept, but I got to kiss her one last. She loved you sooooo much. She talked about her granddaughters. How precious.

    We love you Janel, and we extend our Christian sympathy to you and your family.

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  4. Janel- I am so sorry for your loss. So happy that you had so much great quality time with her. She sounds like a wonderful person. :)

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  5. This makes my heart ache for you! I am so sorry. I love how you are looking on this date as a remembrance and a celebration of her, instead of a day of avoidance. I am praying for you and your family. I wish my G-ma lived closer so i could say we were best friends. You are so blessed to have spent a lot of time with her. I am sooooo incredibly sorry.

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  6. Janel, that was such a touching post. Thank you for sharing. She sounds like she was a beautiful lady inside and out. I'm sorry for your loss.
    Please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

    Love,
    Tracy

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  7. I have been reading your blog, so I know that you were expecting this to happen. I am so very sorry for your loss, but so warmed by your loving positivity towards the circumstances. And yes, this will be a beautiful time to remember her each year, although I know you will do that everyday in your heart. Sounds like she had a big impact on your soul, just like my mother did, and my grandmother still does. I am so happy that you got to spend those years so close to her, so many of us dont get that. What a wonderful thing. My heart goes out to your family right now.

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  8. Reading this made me sad for you because she sounded awesome. But youre right shes in a much better place :)

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  9. Sending you big hugs, Love! I'm glad you got to see her last nite. I'm always here for you if you need anything. Love you! xoxo

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  10. I was also honored and lucky to share a similar relationship with my grandma until she passed away 2 years ago from cancer so I can understand every word your saying. Still, we are here for you and your family.

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  11. Janel, I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers!

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  12. I am so sorry for you and your family Janel.
    Your Grandma sounds like a wonderful woman and she will leave a hole of sadness. If you keep remembering your Gran the way you told us about her in your beautiful story, she will live on.
    Lots of love to you. You are special.
    xxx

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  13. janel.. you are such a loving person. you are so blessed to have had such an amazing person in your life... and now you're able to feel her love daily. in your heart. thank you for sharing your story. i love you.
    xo.
    jari

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  14. oh my, janel :( i'm really sorry for that!

    i don't know what to say, because reading this brought me to tears and made me think of my grandma who died 14 (!) years ago. and you were so blessed to spend so much time with your grandma. that's awesome. and i love the fact that you really took the time and took care of her. that's so sweet.

    and... yeah, memories never die, and so she'll always be in your heart. for sure.

    she looks so so nice and sweet and i swear she'll be looking down on you right now and think, you are great.

    <3

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  15. She is stinkin' cute! I'm sorry for your loss but I'm happy that you have so many great memories with a woman as wonderful as your grams. Happy Thanksgiving! My prayers are with you and your family :)

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  16. Janel ~ What a beautiful tribute you have written for your grandmother here. I'm so sorry for your loss. I had a Grandma similar to the one you describe ~ and I feel oh so fortunate to have had a grandma like her.

    May you find peace through your loving memories of her. She is with you always. xoxox

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  17. I'm very sorry to have read that you lost your grandma. But what lovely memories you have with her. Your story was beautiful.

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  18. Praying for you, friend. Your grandma was one amazing lady.
    I love you.

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  19. I'm so sorry for your loss, Janel.

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  20. so sweet, i'm so sorry for your loss she seemed amazing and obviously lots of that have rubbed off onto you!
    xoxoxo!!!!

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  21. Love that! I miss her too. Going through all the pictures brings back so many great memories! Thank you for being such a great niece and grandaughter to my mom.......Love you! Aunt Sue

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  22. i'm crying. i'm not sure why, i guess my heart just hurts for you. i'm sorry. i'm also sorry i don't know what else to say. i just want you to know im thinking of you.

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  23. Janel...I am so sorry for your loss but how amazing that she is able to celebrate Thanksgiving with her husband! She sounds like a truely amazing woman!! Thank you for allowing us to get to know her a little.

    I cried while reading your last night together. I am so glad you were able to have that.

    You annd your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
    XOXO
    Amber

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  24. I'm sorry about someone so close to you passing away around the holidays, especially. You are at peace with her and that's what makes things easier.

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  25. Just saw this today and was really touched by how you honored your grandma with these words. What a treasure those last words will always be.

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Thank you so much for commenting!! xo