At this time of year, I especially miss my paternal Grandmother. Unfortunately, I was too young to remember much about my maternal Grandmother, other than to hear wonderful stories about a very kind woman. So, you see, I have been blessed twice. And I take blessings very seriously.
My Father's Mother was Mary, and she was energetic, kind and warm to everyone she met. Whether you were a relative, or grandchildren's friends, she welcomed all to her home with a beverage, food, a smile and twinkling blue eyes. Oh, how I miss her!
Christmas was her favorite holiday. She baked and cooked for her large Italian family. And she decorated the tree, bought gifts and told us Santa was to arrive when we were sleeping. How excited were a couple of dozen eager young children we were. My family has such wonderful memories, especially with her in our lives.
I've been thinking about her lately, as I prepare my own Christmas. We share a love for baking and cooking. I'm learning to cook certain foods from my Mom, so the tradition will continue on. I just wish my Grandmother was here to see that she has passed on some of her traditions to me. I know she's smiling from above. I can feel her. It's just that sometimes my heart aches for her.
Merry Christmas Grandma... I love you with all my heart and soul. Thank you for sharing your love.
What a lovely tribute, Kathleen. Your grandmother sounds like she was a very special lady. As they say, our loved ones are never gone as long as they remain in our hearts.
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Colleen
I believe you're right, she is smiling from above as you continue the family traditions. She sounds like a wonderful grandmother!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I think I drove her home earlier today - or a woman that fits the same description. I was in our local Italian grocer and there she was laden down with lots of ingredients and boxes of panetone bread to give...and she was going to take the bus. I gave her a ride home and she told me her name was "Sarafina"- What joy to my day to see her so full of the holiday spirit!
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What wonderful memories you have!
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like an amazing women I sure she is very proud watching over you.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you posted this today as my Mom Mom has been on my mind for the past week or so and for all the same reasons. How great is it that they were in our lives?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful woman! She was very proud of you, I am sure!
ReplyDeleteI miss my grandmother terribly! Her maiden name was Miller, so that is what we named our son (aka Mr. Bigs) :)
Cherish your memories with your grandmother!
Kathy what a sweet post about your grandmother. It had me shed some tears. I can see the twinkle in her eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe holidays bring joy and yet at times some sadness- I have been missing my dad a lot lately- I find myself wanting to pick up the fone. I also miss Kelly this was her favorite time. Even though we have Bo this year it doesn't ease the missing.
I bet anything your lovely Grandmother Mary is with my mother Mary cooking and baking up a Christmas storm! Looking down, I assume they would have trouble navigating the web, and loving that you are happy and creating memories for future generations.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see some of her recipes if you'd be so kind as to share. I'll give you my 1964 New York Times Coffee cake recipe...I make it every Christmas.
Much Love to you! Wish you were here to make some pom poms with me!
What a blessing to have such sweet memories of your special Grandmother Mary! I'm sure she feels your love!
ReplyDeleteK... I am sure she is watching over you with a huge smile! My Grandmother's name was also Mary..she is my namesake and it is such an honor. I pray to her daily and I swear, she keeps a healing hand on my Dad ( her son )....
ReplyDeleteMerry CHRISTMAS!
Your Grandmother Mary obviously blessed you with her loving and caring spirit which yo are now passing on livingly to your dear ones...such a beautiful way to honor her giving heart. My Gma left us three years ago...I think Mary and 'Edith' were related somehow...what a special generation.
ReplyDeletexo J~
Hello, my grandmother on my fathers side also just past away two weeks ago of Cancer. I am still grieving and still crying every day, everywhere, esp when it is quite at night. I was very close to her however she lived out of state for the past 6 or so years. She was the one I felt supported me and gave me the most of love in life. I went to see her last July while she was undergoing chemo, but the cancer took over. I called her every other day for the past 3 months and was suppose to go see her on the 17th but it was too late and didnt get to hold her hand one last time. If it was not for the chaos i committed to in my life the last 3 months i would have been there earlier. The chaos in my life is over now which is bad timing because I think of her non stop... I feel that pain, guilt and regret. Perhaps I would feel this anyway if I made it to her in time, im not quite sure.
ReplyDeleteI have never written or commented on a post before online but the more I sit the more I get depressed so I am reading how to cope with losses of loved ones. Your page has made me cry even more but i think its beautiful that you posted this and her picture to keep her memory alive. I feel the same about the cooking and keeping her traditions, however this christmas is just too hard and honestly just want it to be over this year.
God bless those that came into our life that gave us so much love we do not know how to repay. The loved ones are what makes us breathe easier in life so when they are gone it is so hard to let go. It is a part of life and we should be lucky to live as long as our grandparents did. I was very lucky to know 3 of my grandparents.
May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face and may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars. Ill love her forever.
Kathleen, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. It is always a pleasure to get to know new friends! I have read some of your posts tonight and stopped at this one. I can relate so well. My paternal grandmother,also named Mary, just passed away last month, and I miss her terribly and find myself just feeling heartbroken at times when I think about my loss. If you want to read more about my experience in losing her, you can see it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://artfulaccents.blogspot.com/2010/12/99-years-young.html
I am so sorry for your loss, and I pray that you will feel comforted by your memories. Nothing can replace the love of a grandmother, but it helps to know that others can relate.