I’ve no idea how many times I’ve reached for the phone, only to realize she wouldn’t be there to answer my call; suffice to say, this habit born many years ago has been extremely hard to break. At no time did I have anything of importance to say; I simply wanted to tell her what the kids were up to; how the gardenias finally bloomed; about the sweetness of my creamed corn; of how John’s recent project finished up and more… Really, our conversation would have been about any number of ordinary things which she would have found to be extraordinary…
One year ago, my beloved grandmother, Helen McGee Bodie, departed this pain-ridden life for the far better one awaiting her…
I miss her terribly.
She gave me the best of herself from the day I was born. I was blessed to have so much love poured into me from the start; I never knew life without it…until now. Gone are our shared books, embroidery and gardening; no more trips to the lake together, sunburns or strawberry cake… I’ve only recently begun to realize that my greatest cheerleader is gone.
Watching her go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do; we had eight months of borrowed time together, which I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world, but it came at a price: she suffered, and we (my parents and I) agonized right along with her… I carry permanent scars from the experience; you cannot witness such a thing without being changed at your core...
Today we will finish what began a year ago; we are fulfilling Grandma’s specific request regarding where she wanted to rest. We are placing both her and my grandpa’s ashes in a memorial birdbath at their lake house facing the big water.
I can almost hear her saying: “That’s great; it’s about time… Now when can I expect you back to see me again?”
Soon, Grandma, real soon…
Please join me on September 15th from 9-3 p.m. @ NW Cabarrus HS in Concord for State Farm’s ‘Celebrate My Drive’ event.
Wishing you many blessings, sunshine and hope…tg
Tammy will update her blog on Mondays and Thursdays
