My grandmother passed away on Wednesday, quietly. My Grandma Myers did everything with enthusiasm. She loved big, cooked with zeal, prayed with fervor. The final years of her life were filled with pain and confusion, but on her good days she still shone with beauty. She was the first older person I knew who could giggle without self-consciousness. She had cheeks like warm summer peaches, so soft.
The family who could, gathered in Woodstock, IL to pay tribute to her life. We laughed a lot, cried a bit too, but mostly just enjoyed being together. We pored over old pictures, reminiscing of her sense of humor and adventure. We played dominoes (although her game of choice was Rummage), shared meals. There was praying, and some more crying. Family thought lost, came to pay tribute to Auntie Helen. I think she would have approved of our efforts, because next to Jesus, family was above all else.
She was buried December 2, 2008, weeks shy of her 95th birthday, next to her husband of 68 years. The church fed us well, a lovingly prepared meal, and we parted ways, each heading for home, hearts heavy with loss, but gladdened for sharing these days.
The family who could, gathered in Woodstock, IL to pay tribute to her life. We laughed a lot, cried a bit too, but mostly just enjoyed being together. We pored over old pictures, reminiscing of her sense of humor and adventure. We played dominoes (although her game of choice was Rummage), shared meals. There was praying, and some more crying. Family thought lost, came to pay tribute to Auntie Helen. I think she would have approved of our efforts, because next to Jesus, family was above all else.
She was buried December 2, 2008, weeks shy of her 95th birthday, next to her husband of 68 years. The church fed us well, a lovingly prepared meal, and we parted ways, each heading for home, hearts heavy with loss, but gladdened for sharing these days.
Thanks grandma, for sharing the art of the giggle.
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