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Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Golden People

 We've had quite the schedule for the past month or two.
It's autumn which is harvest in our neck of the woods.
Last month started off with a trip to California for my grandmother's funeral.
She actually passed last year.
Her only request was a traditional Catholic funeral.
Well, it wasn't exactly traditional due to circumstances.
Her graveside service was last year, and we only this year
11 months after her passing were able to hold her funeral.
In a way, it kinda worked out.
She was 96, only a few months shy of 97 and was ready.
Our grieving was done, and we were able to gather
and celebrate her life and cherish the time spent with family.
It was a pretty small service.
She outlived most of her peers.
My aunt had asked us each to jot down a few things we remembered
or loved about her so they could put together a eulogy.
One of the things I mentioned was
she would wipe off and reuse a paper plate, save a tablespoon of food,
and be among the first to give if someone was in need.
I love that!
She always took care of her things.
She washed her car, windows, floors, etc. and
kept things in the best condition she could.
She grew up during the depression so knew the true value of things.
She never had a lot, but made the most of what she had.
When my aunt asked if there was anything in particular I wanted,
I didn't really have an answer - just my Grammy.
My aunt is wonderful, and I can say such things.
I told her if there was something silly like Grams favorite wooden spoon
or something she used and liked, I wouldn't mind something like that.
For my birthday, she sent me the fork and knife in the photo.
It was actually my great grandmother's then my grandmother's.
Both were very right handed so the left tine is worn.
I was young when she passed, but I remember my great grandma too.
I would sit on her lap, and she would let me have a lemon drop.
We almost never had candy so it was quite a treat.
This little set was the perfect gift, more valuable to me than gold.
And, yep, I use them.
They went directly in the cupboard with the salt and pepper
so I have them handy when I need them.
(Uncle Ray & Aunt Betty - brother and sister)

They are a wonderful reminder to me to take care of things so they'll last
which is kinda funny since for the past year or two,
I've been on a mission to have things in order and good condition.
I've had two chairs repaired which wasn't cheap,
but they are both antiques and were due.
They should both now last another 100 years.
I always seem to have a mend & repair pile.
I no sooner get the bulk of it dealt with when more goes in.
I've also been trying to keep the car up, the appliance clean and in good repair, and
the little things attended to if that makes sense.
There's more to all this though.
You see, there were a couple folks at Grammy's funeral of special importance.
Well, everyone there was important, but. . .
Uncle Ray and Aunt Betty were there.
Grammy's two remaining siblings.
Uncle Ray just turned 99 and is doing pretty good.
Aunt Betty is 97 and doesn't remember very well, but otherwise okay.
Grammy was between them in age.
I don't exactly get to California very often
so it's tough telling if I will ever get to see them again just due to age.
The time spent visiting with them and the stories about them
are what makes a family and keeps those ties snug.
When someone begins a story with,
"I'll tell ya something I can't tell most normal people,"
you know you're in the right place.
I know not everyone has a close family,
but a closely knit group of friends and community can still be had.
I think that's one of the things that's been difficult for me
over the past year or so: everyone seems so distant (not just physically).
The reminder being, we need to take care of our family
just like we need to take care of our things.
We need our family - by blood or by choice.
If you do have elderly folks in your clan,
maybe pay them a visit or a call.
That chat might just be worth more than gold.
And the memory made might just last a good long time.

As we head into the holidays,
I'd like to wish all of my blog friends here
a very blessed time.
~Happy Thanksgiving~







15 comments:

  1. Oh dear sweet gal, what a lovely post despite it's sadness of a departed one. They and we are the ones who take care of our belongings whereas today they are the the 'throw away'. I'm still driving my 2003 vehicle and take care of it.
    I have many memories of my grandparents but wish I'd asked more questions thought of after their passing.

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  2. A wonderful tribute to your Grammy and her siblings (LOVE the photo of those two!) albeit bittersweet. Yes, there comes a time when one is "ready" and the passing is a blessing to those passing, but it still creates a hole. I am glad you were able to travel to join the celebration of her life. Your mementos of Grammy, though, couldn't be more perfect. Something they used, and something you will use...and beautiful to boot. Family...well, that's a difficult subject for many of us...especially when you come from one that once was close. Wishing you a very blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving. ~Robin~

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  3. Oh, you were here in California! How nice. Loved reading this post and seeing the photos. Now I need to go wash my car windows...

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  4. I am the youngest of my clan, and I have watched the others pass away, including siblings, and it is so sad. So lonely without family. You are so right, if you have anyone left of the "old days," call them, go see them! I am with your Grammy in trying to keep things in order. Things wiped down, kept clean and neat. It's really quite a job but it is important! My washer and dryer, the cans in the pantry facing the right way, the baseboards dusted, and so on! I think those who went through the Depression really learned the value of things. A special generation. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  5. What a wonderful post, filled with all kinds of wisdom. My memento of my grandmother is one of her wooden spoons. It actually belonged to her mother, and has a worn spot on one side from the many many times it was used for stirring. It's my favorite. I never fail to think of them when I reach for it.

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  6. What a beautiful post. I appreciate your appreciation for family and traditions. Thank you for the reminder that even the simplest things can bring pleasure.

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  7. Thanks so much for popping by my blog and leaving a comment! So nice to wander around your blog. Have a blessed Christmas season!!

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  8. Love this, Lady L. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. What a lovely tribute to your gramma - I can tell she was loved. I remember my grandmother having a fork that looked identical to that and now I'm wondering whatever happened to it.

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  10. A very nice tribute - and a lot of wisdom. We very much now live in the Age of The Disposable - not just things any more, but people, pets, emotions - after all, if things become inconvenient or unwanted, we just get rid of them. It does not say much about us as a people.

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  11. Such a tender and sweet tribute. So many times I think back on my grandparents and how I wish I could talk with them so much! Wishing you a merry Christmas!

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  12. Such a sweet and heart touching tribute! Wishing you a merry Christmas!

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  13. Very nice post about your family. I never knew any of my grandparents. What a joy to be able to have memories of that. Longevity is in your family, your aunt and uncle look pretty spry. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, peace and good health.

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  14. So many families have had non traditional time frames for services and burials of their loved ones during these Covid times. It can't be helped. My Dad just passed in August and was 95, so I can relate to the things you say about growing up during the depression. He was in Assisted Living the last couple of years, as he could no longer safely stay at home. When we cleaned out his house, we realized how much he had that had belonged to his parents and his grandparents. Many memories. I have the kitchen table and chairs that his parents always had in the kitchen. Love their kitchen and had many a meal there, as I would spend time with them during the summer since school was out. I have some china pieces, and my Dad's weeding ring. I'm sorry for your loss; you said she was ready...so was my Dad. He was just plan worn out and none of his friends were still alive.

    Popped in for a visit from a mutual blog friend. It's always nice to meet new bloggers. Do swing by for a visit.

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  15. My 97 year old aunt died this year at the end of October she would have been 98 in Jan. I felt the same way about her. I love her so much and kept in touch as much as I could I truly miss her and think of her daily.
    So sorry about the passing of your Grammy.
    Cathy

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