Happy Birthday Granny
Today was my late grandmother's birthday. I have no idea how old she would have been. She died in the summer of 1999.
I was driving home from grocery shopping tonight and while listening to talk radio, I felt compelled to turn the channel over to FM. No particular reason, just a need to turn the channel. That is when I heard Styx, Come Sail Away. I have no idea how old that song is, but whenever I hear it I smile and think about my Granny. She raised two of my cousins after my aunt died when I was just a toddler. My cousin is about three years older than me and we were the best of friends as kids. I was visiting one day when Come Sail Away came on the radio. My Granny was in the other room and finally came in and said "For God's sake, just sail away with him so he'll shut the hell up!" That was just the way my Granny was - dry wit and funny as hell. When I heard it tonight on the radio, I smiled and wished my Granny a Happy Birthday. Then, I got goose bumps all over my arms and torso and I felt her there with me. I started to weep as I told her how much I miss her and look forward to seeing her again someday.
It is peculiar because she has been on my mind alot lately. LabKat is struggling with the deterioration of her grandmother and I feel for her. I watched my grandmother wither away for five years and it was awful to see her body and then her mind go. I remember the relief for her and my aunts when she finally died. The suffering was over. Her suffering and the suffering of those who loved her and couldn't do anything to help her.
I'm sure this was all a coincidence, but I like to think that Granny came to reassure me that all is well.
I was driving home from grocery shopping tonight and while listening to talk radio, I felt compelled to turn the channel over to FM. No particular reason, just a need to turn the channel. That is when I heard Styx, Come Sail Away. I have no idea how old that song is, but whenever I hear it I smile and think about my Granny. She raised two of my cousins after my aunt died when I was just a toddler. My cousin is about three years older than me and we were the best of friends as kids. I was visiting one day when Come Sail Away came on the radio. My Granny was in the other room and finally came in and said "For God's sake, just sail away with him so he'll shut the hell up!" That was just the way my Granny was - dry wit and funny as hell. When I heard it tonight on the radio, I smiled and wished my Granny a Happy Birthday. Then, I got goose bumps all over my arms and torso and I felt her there with me. I started to weep as I told her how much I miss her and look forward to seeing her again someday.
It is peculiar because she has been on my mind alot lately. LabKat is struggling with the deterioration of her grandmother and I feel for her. I watched my grandmother wither away for five years and it was awful to see her body and then her mind go. I remember the relief for her and my aunts when she finally died. The suffering was over. Her suffering and the suffering of those who loved her and couldn't do anything to help her.
I'm sure this was all a coincidence, but I like to think that Granny came to reassure me that all is well.
4 Comments:
At 12:10 AM, November 09, 2004,
Gadfly said…
Hey AoM
My grandmother passed away a couple of years ago. She was a really strong woman .. a lot of love and a lot of strength. That's how I remember her. She was 98 when she died. She got kind of freaky and anxious before she died. I didn't envy my mother sitting with her every day, but that's what she did. At the funeral, I was a pall bearer. God ... it seems like I have done a bunch of that in the past few years. Anyway, her preacher read this writing of hers. I liked it.
G
"Something has happened to me that is hard to understand.
I have had a strong desire to be a gentle, kind and understanding person. I wanted to be harmless as a dove, but sweet and strong enough to take a firm stand against sarcasm and snobbery.
I want my feelings to be tough enough to never take exceptions to slight remarks. I want to be wise enough to take a hint when someone needs to put me in my place, be thankful for it, and mend my ways.
I don’t want to feel like everybody is out to hurt me with some critical remark. I like to take a joke as a compliment.
I don’t believe I have an enemy in the world. I like to think everybody likes me, but they do not have to be careful to prove it.
I am willing to do my share and a half – anytime and with every body.
I know I am a part of the body of Christ. I only hope I am not a heel.
— Edna L. Perkins
At 7:43 AM, November 09, 2004,
Jenny said…
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your grandma sounded like a great lady. I can see where you got your wit lol. I lost my grandmothers also. It is my belief though I can't see them they are always with me.
At 7:44 AM, November 09, 2004,
Jenny said…
I also wanted to thank you for putting me as the person of the day. I am touched beyond words. It made my whole week. Thank you :)
At 8:32 AM, November 10, 2004,
Army of Mom said…
Thanks Gadfly for making me cry!!!! That is great. Your grandmother must have been a character. I hope I'm remembered as fondly when I pass.
And, Jenny, thanks. I have many VERY funny stories about my Granny and they are classics. And, you're welcome - you are a very attractive lady and worthy of Hottie of the Day status. :)
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