A Bittersweet Christmas
December 26, 2008 at 8:52 pm , by Emily
Yesterday was a fantastic day. It was just what I had hoped for and more. Quiet, comfortable, love-filled, relaxing. I could go on and on. We woke up early and opened gifts, spent a lazy morning enjoying the new. Made a big brunch and then spent the rest of the day alternating between playing outside and lazing around inside. I read my entire new book Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
All wonderful and lovely and fabulous things. All what I had envisioned.
Then my phone rang at 8 p.m. and it was one of my aunts. My grandmother passed away yesterday. It was fitting for her, really. She was with family, surrounded by loved ones on her favorite day of the year. She had a stroke last year and made a miraculous recovery. Over the past few weeks, she has been having seizures, been in and back out of a coma, and made yet another seemingly remarkable recovery. Just a few days ago, I sat at my computer with my kids and we talked to her on Skype (love technology!). We sang Christmas carols together and my sweet grandma did the best “ho ho ho” you ever heard over and over again, setting my kids into fits of giggles. It was all very sweet and wonderful and will be my parting memory of her. Her life was a good one, 84 years long. She had 7 children, outliving one of them. She has a lasting legacy in her children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I will, of course, miss her.
I had to do what I never imagined having to do yesterday. I stayed up until midnight so that I could call my mother in France when it was 6 her time to tell her that her mother was gone. I would have rather poked my eyes out, I think.
And so it goes that our quiet, mellow holiday season at home has abruptly come to a halt. My daughter and I will be hopping onto an airplane on Sunday to head to the frozen tundra, better known as Western New York. My husband is taking a few days off work and is going to have some bonding time at home with our son. I can see it now – ice cream 3 meals a day and lots of digging in the dirt outside. I don’t think they’ll miss me.
I’ll be back later next week. In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful end to this year and a fabulous start to next.
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by Denise
On December 26, 2008 at 9:01 pm
oh Emily – I’m so sorry your day ended with the news of your Grandmother passing. I will pray for a safe journey for you and your daughter. Take care.
Denise´s last blog post..I was good
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by Sarah
On December 26, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I hope you love Twilight! I’ve read all 4 books five times and love them!
Sarah´s last blog post..Santa has been!
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by Julia @ Hooked on Houses
On December 26, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I’m so glad you had that time with your grandmother a few days ago–the story of her saying “ho ho ho” made me smile. It’s so hard to lose a grandparent. I know I still miss my grandmother who died over a decade ago.
Have a safe flight. Our thoughts are with you and your family! -Julia
P.S. Dave gave me “New Moon,” the second book in the Twilight series, for Christmas, and I spent several hours reading it yesterday. They’re kind of addictive, aren’t they?
Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog post..The Stone Farmhouse in “Christmas in Connecticut”
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by Four Pillars
On December 26, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Sorry about your grandmother. It sounds like she went out the right way though!
Mike
Four Pillars´s last blog post..Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mike and Mr. Cheap!
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by Kelly
On December 26, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Oh, Em, I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m so happy that you have that special parting memory of her, and that she had that special time with your kids — how special for them to know their great-grandmother that way!
Kelly´s last blog post..Merry Christmas!
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by neimanmarxist
On December 27, 2008 at 7:18 am
sorry to hear your sad news. all my best to you and yours.
neimanmarxist´s last blog post..Road Tripping For Less
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by rtc
On December 27, 2008 at 9:06 am
Emily,
I’m sorry for your loss. I pray that you and your daughter will have a bonding time with family and each other.
rtc´s last blog post..Help for the debt-free journey
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by Susy
On December 27, 2008 at 9:58 am
So sorry your Christmas ended in such a sad way. So great that you have a wonderful last memory, that seems to be the best. My last memory of my grandmother was celebrating Christmas with her when I was home from college. I remember he sitting on the rocking chair smiling and petting our cat (her favorite gray cat she always said). She died in February a few months later, I’m so glad my last memories of her are authentic to who she was when she was full of life.
Susy´s last blog post..Too Busy to Write Today
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by Tidymom
On December 27, 2008 at 10:29 am
Oh Emily I’m so sorry for your loss. Have a safe trip.
I spent all day Christmas Day and the following day reading New Moon. I’m glad you had such a wonderful Christmas before the phone call.
~Tidymom
Tidymom´s last blog post..Merry Christmas!!!
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by Margaret
On December 27, 2008 at 10:37 am
So sorry for your loss but what wonderful memories she has left you. Have a safe journey and remember the good times.
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by Charity
On December 27, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Travel safely, and return home soon.
)
Charity´s last blog post..Liam…
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by Alexis
On December 27, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Alexis´s last blog post..Merry Christmas!
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by melissa @ the inspired room
On December 27, 2008 at 11:25 am
Oh, Emily, I am so sorry. I lost my grandmothers a few years back and I know too well the feeling. I loved the fact that you and your kids enjoyed some special last memories via Skype. That is the best, you will hang on to those memories and the “ho ho ho’s” forever.
Big hugs to you. Sorry I’ve been scarce…six days until our move and my life is a bit chaotic.
xo
Melissa
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by melissa @ the inspired room
On December 27, 2008 at 11:26 am
PS. Have a safe trip.
melissa @ the inspired room´s last blog post..Trying to be Festive When Times are Tough
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by Lynne
On December 27, 2008 at 11:33 am
Emily:
I, too, am sorry to hear about your grandmother. It sounds like she had a wonderful family and life.
Try not to worry too much about about the boys home alone eating heavens knows what. I get up tight about that kind of thing too but they will get back into shape when you return.
Have a safe trip, stay warm (you’ll appreciate our unseasonably warm weather when you return!)
Lynne
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by Vered - MomGrind
On December 27, 2008 at 11:58 am
I’m so sorry, Emily. Have a safe flight.
Vered – MomGrind´s last blog post..Last-Minute Holiday Shopping? May I Suggest The Perfect Gift
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by Linda
On December 27, 2008 at 12:23 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Emily, as you mourn your grandmother. Keep your wonderful memories close.
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by Molly
On December 27, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I am so sorry for your loss.
Molly´s last blog post..Christmas Wrapping!
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by LobotoME
On December 27, 2008 at 4:09 pm
sorry to hear about your grandma…our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family…
xo, jenny
LobotoME´s last blog post..{ sleep in heavenly peace }
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by V. Higgins
On December 27, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my grandpa very unexpectedly to a heart attack on Sunday and will be flying to rainy/snowy Seattle next weekend, so I’m in the same boat. I hope the memorial is healing.
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by FFB
On December 27, 2008 at 5:37 pm
So sorry to hear about your loss! No time is a good time.
FFB´s last blog post..You Are Richer Than You Think
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by Alana @ Gray Matters
On December 27, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Thinking of you and your family. Safe travels.
Alana @ Gray Matters´s last blog post..Happy Holidays!
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by Shevy
On December 27, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Oh, Emily. I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Even when these things are not unexpected they’re still a shock. May all your good memories of her bring you comfort.
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by kathy
On December 27, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss and wish you safe travels. I still remember the phone call my own mother got on her birthday many years ago that her dad had passed away. Death is always hard – I wish you love and strength through your mourning.
I had to smile though at your prediction of ice cream at every meal for your husband and son while you are gone. Isn’t it funny how different Dads are than Moms? After raising four fabulous daughters, I found out in the end that both ways work and are needed!
kathy´s last blog post..Simple Supper Saturday: Stir Fry
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by Carla
On December 27, 2008 at 10:36 pm
So sorry for your loss. And sad for you that you were the one to have to tell your mother. I can’t imagine how hard that was.
I’m glad you will have good memories from her last days. Be safe on your trip.
Carla´s last blog post..Six
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by Marie
On December 28, 2008 at 10:57 am
I am SO sorry about your grandmother. Have a safe trip.
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by Carol
On December 28, 2008 at 9:28 pm
How wonderful to have the last memories of your Grandmother be such happy ones.
It is always sad for those of us left behind, but I pray that she is in the arms of the Lord.
Have a safe trip.
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by Laurel Plum
On December 29, 2008 at 2:27 am
Oh, Emily. I am so sorry your Christmas was cut short with such a loss. I can not even begin to imagine how hard it was to find out – even more so to have to be the one to tell your Mom. Hold tight to the memory of her giggling and know that we all will be thinking of you. Tight hugs and prayers for all of your family.
Laurel Plum´s last blog post..New Year Fresh Start – Part 1 – Life Priorities
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by Kacie
On December 29, 2008 at 3:38 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family, and also for you to have a safe trip.
Kacie´s last blog post..I have a blog? What?
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by Marelisa
On December 29, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Hi Emily: I’m very sorry for the loss of your grandmother, but it’s good that she spent her last moments surrounded by her family. Have a safe trip.
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by Courtney
On December 30, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. What a blessing that you had such a wonderful last visit with her.
Courtney´s last blog post..To happiness and daydreaming and loving what you have
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by Rachel
On December 31, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I’m sorry Emily, she sounds like such a sweet lady.
Rachel´s last blog post..Tie a Trouble-Free Gift Bow
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by Suzy
On January 1, 2009 at 2:44 am
So sorry for the loss of your grandmother…my 91 year old father-in-law became ill last Tuesday and he passed the day after Christmas. I’ll bet he and your grandmother are having a wonderful time getting to know each other! Please know you and your family will be in my prayers.
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by Patty
On January 1, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I am so sorry about your Grandma, Em.
Patty´s last blog post..
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by Emily
On January 1, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers. It meant so much to me to check in here and see all the love.
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by Emily
On January 3, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Maybe I’m a little late, but I’m still praying for you. Treasure the memory of your Grandma, and be so glad she went suddenly, and on a good note. It’s so much harder to watch them waste away. Hugs!
Emily´s last blog post..Meet William!
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