My Grandma was a vibrant lady who took such good care of herself and had a heart of gold. Her spirit and her attitude toward life was very strong as she was such an amazing person and an inspiration plus very humble. It was a privilege and a joy to be her first grandchild.
I look back over 20-30 years ago when she and my grandpa would take all four of us grandchildren to their Yomoyden farm near Cincinnati, Ohio. She had the trip planned keeping us busy with field trips, playing in the pool, and tennis lessons with an instructor she sent from the club. She was the most enthusiastic and most fun summer camp counselor that I had. She combined some class and some humor as well. Since we were so close, my cousins were like brother and sisters rather than cousins. It reflects her enthusiasm toward life to live it to the fullest.
My earliest memories of her was at the ranch in Montana when I realized that she had an appreciation for beauty inside and out and with surroundings. She had a picture book with wildflowers that she carried with her with notes and all and we would go wildflower hunting around the ranch. It was one of the first bonding experiences that I can remember. She had those small dainty hands like me that toiled hard either working a garden, making bread, cheesy burger buns, applesauce, popovers, painting pictures on a table (for the cabin), and raising Scottish Highlanders cattle. I remember her greetings as a child when she would say "Hi-yo!" to me and it would always lift me up. She sang beautifully whenever we would sing Christmas carols and her favorites was "Oh Holy Night."
I will never forget how she loved to travel like me to exotic places. I remember our trip to Japan when I was fifteen enjoying the culture and beauty of this country. It was definitely a special time with our heart to heart talks, great meals, and especially enjoying the gardens with our mutual love for beauty. She taught me to pack and being good at traveling since we had to hop from hotel to hotel during the trip. It was a great bonding time.
We were kindred spirits in our love for fashion and the arts with leaving the house always looking put together. We both liked artists like Charles Russell and Geogia O'Keefe. She taught me to look impeccably good with clothes ironed and everything. I remember the shopping trips during my visits with her to Ohio for back to school clothes and I always ended up being the best dressed in school whenever I wore something that she picked out with a little bit of funk plus style. My Grandma taught me to carry myself and have an appreciation for the world around me. I picked up some elegant decorating skills from her as I always liked going to her homes as they were decorated well but had some warmth to them at the same time.
My Grandma was always there for me in both good times and times of trouble. She was supportive in my passion for art and encouraged it. She taught me to appreciate the finer things in life like trips to Central City Opera, although I don't have the appreciation for Opera like she did, it was always enjoyable with her and because of my love for her and being in her company. I went with her this past summer to a Central City Opera benefit with the singers doing a small performance with the beautiful voices singing in harmony. I wanted to sit next to her but she wanted to sit next to a very handsome man so I forgave her for that as I wouldn't blame her. I was just flattered for being invited and having some precious time with her that evening before she headed for Maine for the summer. We both shared an appreciation for arts and culture like the Symphony.
My Grandma and I both had a love for dramatic weather. When I would visit her in Ohio she would walk into my bedroom in her bed clothes with curlers to watch the amazing thunderstorms with me. It was awesome with the skies lighting up and the loud claps of thunder. I heard this past summer when the hurricanes were coming through Maine that it was not dramatic enough for my Grandma since it was only wind and rain. I would have been disappointed as well with only that too.
I am grateful that the whole family was together this Christmas surrounding my Grandma, the leader of our small close knit clan. It was the best Christmas ever not knowing at the time that it was her last . I am also grateful that I was with her to the very end and got to spend the last twenty some days with her as she still looked beautiful and stylish in her nightgown. During the visits at the hospital she was still herself wanting to entertain us sitting on the chair with her great spirits and funk. She went the way she lived with uncommon grace and dignity on Thursday night surrounded by her family.
I will miss her and I am now a changed person the last few days. Grandma was my link to the greatest generation that she was proud of and she still went along with the times. I will miss her wisdom and her weekly presence at our family dinners as it was always a treat visiting with her. She is now an angel on my shoulder as I will carry her strength and love of beauty and grace with me. As she may not be here physically as a person she will forever be in my heart the rest of my life as my link to the greatest generation.
