I cannot start my day without recognizing my beloved "Grammy" Florence. 3 years ago today she passed. She was given 3 weeks to live after a stage 4 diagnosis of lung and liver cancer. I moved in with her and provided day and night hospice care along with meds every 2 hours until I found here at 6 am-3 years ago today. She died 3 weeks to the day of her diagnosis..that doctor was right on target, unfortunately.
I could have gone on caring for her for the rest of my life. I have NO doubt in my mind about this.
My Gram who undoubtedly saved me from a life not worth living & who supported me 110%.
Who flew me to Paris to have my first date with Ettione, a young man I met the summer before at Club Med Camp.
Gram drinking a virgin Margarita (yet she is holding onto the fridge?)
Who flew all the way to see me at camp in Copper Mountain, Colorado for 2 days because she missed me.
Gram and Popsy at their vacation house on Discovery Bay in Jamaica
Who took me to all of the best Broadway shows and restaurants and shopping and.....
EVERYTHING NYC has to offer-all of my life.
Gram and her beloved Pookie (who is now SPOILED & living it up in Juno Beach Florida chasing seagulls with my Uncle)
Who taught me the serenity prayer that reminds me to accept the things I cannot change,
Holding a pic of my mom ;)
Who taught me to always dress to impress when traveling in flight or in any major city,
Gram and Popsy leaving the island
Who taught me how to cook like a well seasoned chef and how to throw amazing parties with every detail attended to,
Gram threw herself, her 80th birthday bash at the club and invited everyone she ever held close to her heart
Who gave Michael and I Hot Fudge and a Paint Brush for our 10th wedding anniversary so "us kids" could go have some fun!
Gram and Popsy cuddling
Who nurtured my artistic side at every turn and showed me why diversity is such a wonderful thing in this life.
Who kept me grounded when my early ambitions were too flighty,
Who helped guide me in raising two amazing young men,
~MY Gram with My Mom~
Who SERIOUSLY served English tea from a carafe with china teacups & saucers AND SCONES (she brought all of this in a Gucci Tote) in my hospital room while I was in labor with Austin to everyone in the room! (and I heard her whisper I was being a baby with my moaning..lmao)
Who was the most unlikely comedian everyday of her life!
4th from the right-look for the chicken legs ;)
Who I discovered after she passed away, had kept this picture (laminated) of her holding me in her wallet since 1973 when this photo was taken.
and the list goes on......
Dispersing Grams ashes along the river as she wished
She and I used to walk the towpath along this river once a week and each bring a gourmet lunch.
We would try to out do each other. She went first and packed fine GUCCI china to eat on, silverware and a candelabra!
For my turn I sewed a small square tablecloth with hand beaded edging and handmade matching napkins! Waterford goblets and my mismatched yet matching china and silver. I made a turkey Waldorf sandwich (cranberry's, grapes and walnuts) on bread I baked, as well as a chocolate torte for dessert!
I loved to impress her. She taught me well.
She and I used to walk the towpath along this river once a week and each bring a gourmet lunch.
We would try to out do each other. She went first and packed fine GUCCI china to eat on, silverware and a candelabra!
For my turn I sewed a small square tablecloth with hand beaded edging and handmade matching napkins! Waterford goblets and my mismatched yet matching china and silver. I made a turkey Waldorf sandwich (cranberry's, grapes and walnuts) on bread I baked, as well as a chocolate torte for dessert!
I loved to impress her. She taught me well.
I love and adore you beyond words Gram and although I know this post would cause you to say "oh get over it already" (lol), I cannot.
I will miss you until I meet you again.
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19 Comments:
*sniff*
How wonderful!
oh how you have made me think of my sweet gramma today. thank you what wonderful memories and lessons you have of her. i remember going to my grams everyday to the smell of fresh homemade bread, a pot of titlytea and all the blankets out for me to make a fort. thanks again for bringing up some wonderful memories today!
Wow - GREAT photos and truly a great lady! My thoughts are with you today. ;)
P.S. I'm happy Pookie is being taken care of too!
Oh my goodness, what a post. I love every detail. What an AWESOME grandmother. She must have been such a hoot! I love the pictures, especially the one of her ashes being dispensed.
You are priceless!
~D
Ah, that is magical....my grandma is gone about 2 years now too...miss her everyday too :) Thanks so much for sharing.
Cheers!
Hi sweet blogger friends. Hugs for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. Your reactions and comments mean more than I can say. My heart is always heavy with her loss yet your sweetness makes it so much easier on this say.
A very lovely and moving tribute to a woman that sounds amazing. How lucky you were to have this woman as your beloved grandmother.
Hugs,
Sue
Dani - she sounds like such a wonderful person - and fun. :) I can see where you get it! I know you must miss her. I love the pics of her when she was younger - holy cow, she must have turned the boys heads. :) xox Pam
What an absolutely beautiful tribute to your Grandmother! What a woman!
really great daNi.
"Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, Grow, grow.”
- The Talmud
i know you miss your angel sweetie.
but she never is far.
how proud she must be.
hugs,
sUz :)
very sweet post Dani. you are very lucky to have had such a wonderful relationship with your Gram.
Tears of wonder and joy as I read this..can feel the love, Dani. What a beautiful lady and poetic tribute to her life and place in yours.
Wish I could have known her, too.
Xoxo
Bran
Awww..I am crying as I post this. What a wonderful post. Such an awesome lady. Seems most grammas are. Many blessings!
This reminds me of my life with my own mother. She lasted four weeks after her diagnosis with lung cancer. She had moved in with us two years prior to that time, and we were having a ball. Mom and I were always, undeniably, the best friends either of us ever had. I took care of her until her last breath, and would not have had it any other way. I know how you feel, I know how your mourn. xoxo G.
Thank you again friends. She was a true beauty. For those of you who became soft & weepy over this post, I think that is because you have someone in mind for whom you feel the very same way about and that is a wonderful gift. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your sharing in this with me.
I firmly believe the best thing we can do to honor the people we love and miss is to live & love honestly.
Because if there is a heaven, I want in. I know my Gram is there and I don't want to miss out on hugging her again.
My dear Dani - Flo was truly an amazing woman. I only wish I had known her better. Her way of living, her down to earth realism tinged with love, and her commitment to life showed many of us how to live. The promises do come true! I can surely see why you two were such soul mates. When such strong forces are with us in life, I believe they never leave us when they die - they just take on a different form. She was an amazing woman which an amazing grand-daughter!
My dear Dani - Flo was truly an amazing woman. I only wish I had known her better. Her way of living, her down to earth realism tinged with love, and her commitment to life showed many of us how to live. The promises do come true! I can surely see why you two were such soul mates. When such strong forces are with us in life, I believe they never leave us when they die - they just take on a different form. She was an amazing woman with an amazing grand-daughter!
What a beautiful tribute. I'm sure she's looking down smiling, proud of what you've accomplished. :)
~ Carolee
such a sweet tribute...love all of the b&w pictures :)...never stop telling these stories...
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