(Here is Grandma (aka Sarabeth Austin) cracking up with her sister, opening her Alabama license plate at her 89th birthday).I'm sorry I haven't written anything in almost two weeks. My grandma (the kids' Grammy) passed away early Tuesday morning, February 9th. Although she was 89 years old her death really caught me by surprise. She was taken to the hospital on Sunday due to abdominal pain but she's come out of illnesses like that so many times that I guess I took it for granted that she would recover. I miss her so much already but my heart is full of gladness for her. I'm glad that Maggie got to know her well, as we would visit her in her senior apartment once every week or so. I'm glad that I got her for 30 years of my life. I'm glad that she's in heaven! I'm glad that she was spared more mental or physical degradation (her last year she had been plagued by chronic pain in her shoulder and was having a few moments of memory loss). And I'm glad that I know I'll see her again in heaven.
She was such an amazing lady. At the viewing she looked beautiful and peaceful but she looked so different and I think it's because I'm just not used to seeing her without a smile on her face! She loved to laugh and when I think about her I just picture her with a huge grin, smiling widely at something cute Maggie or Finn had done. She loved my kids (and me, and, well, everyone in the family!) and always wanted to have one of them in her lap when we visited. She also told me all the time that she just wished she could keep them for the afternoon or overnight to give me a break (not sure if that was really more for me or for her!), but she knew she couldn't.
I want to tell you one more cute thing about Grandma. At one of my wedding showers she said, with a very mischievous look, "Do you really want to know the secret to a happy marriage?" Since there were about 20 friends there I got nervous about what she was going to say and I told her, "Ummm....maybe you can tell me later!" I never found out what she wanted to say and I wish I had had the courage to find out her advice in front of everyone! I'm sure whatever it was, it was good advice - she was married to my grandfather for 57 years before his death.
I love you, Grandma. See you in heaven.
2 comments:
Courtney, I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I know she's in heaven, but I know, too that will miss her so very much. Your post was really beautiful - and I know how special grandmothers really, really are.
Oh my sweet Courtney, what a loving tribute you gave to Grandma. It is still so fresh and I couldn't read this without crying. It has deeply moved me and I am so very grateful that she knew you all so well. You were a wonderful granddaughter and did a good job loving her and spending time with her. Finn and Maggie were such a delight to her. I'm glad we will get to see her in heaven again.
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