Two weeks ago, my 96 year-old grandmother had a stroke. Saturday we will have her celebration of life ceremony. We were blessed as a family to spend an amazing three days together around my daughter’s wedding at the beginning of September, and I am so very grateful. I have lived the last six years with a growing awareness that any visit could be the last. Still those few days between her stroke and graduation to heaven had me looking back.
Grandma was a constant in my life. She lived on the family farm until about four years ago and then she moved into a duplex in town. You always knew she was up for a game and taught us new ones into the last year. In September, she was still beating us in multiple games, but Five Crowns was a recent favorite. If you’ve ever played that particular card game, you know it has multiple (unending it seems!) rounds of cards as you move from 3s to Kings. There are many times that as a family we will chose to shorten the game. Not Grandma. She was in until the bitter end — when I felt like I couldn’t manage all the cards, she didn’t let that slow her down.
Growing up, we played 10 point pitch and cribbage with this set of grandparents. Along with a host of other games like rack-o. Then in their 80s they taught us Mexican train dominos. And in her 90s, she taught us Five Crowns and Skyjo. When I say Grandma was my hero and I want to be like her if I live as long, I couldn’t be more serious!
Grandma was also the model for Audrey, the heroine of Canteen Dreams. Grandma would tell you I just borrowed her name, but there was so much more to both Audreys. Grandma grew up on a farm and taught in a country, one-room schoolhouse, before she married Grandpa. He was several years older than her, and they met at a dance, but as he said, Grandma needed to grow up a bit first. Grandpa was drafted four times and sent home each time as the only son of a farmer, the reality the hero in Canteen Dreams struggles with. The deviations? I had the Williard in the book on a ranch because the other part of the setting was North Platte and the Canteen that ran for years during World War Two.
Canteen Dreams was my tribute to the love I watched between my grandparents. It’s a love I will miss, but one I am so grateful to have experienced throughout my life. I am blessed to have had her in my life for all these years. And I’m very grateful I can celebrate that with absolutely no regrets.
That is a beautiful thing indeed.
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Your grandma sounds like an amazing lady, Cara. So glad you had her in your life for as long as you did. I was blessed to have all my grandparents live into their late eighties and one over ninety. They were such a treasure. Praying for your family as you adjust to life without your grandma.
She was amazing. And my genes are pretty good. LOL
What a legacy she has left all of y’all. I loved the fact that she didn’t back down from a Challenge whether in Life or games. Love your WWII book now even more! I pray God’s peace and comfort in the days ahead for You and Your family.
Thank you, Denise!
So sorry for your loss, Cara, but I’m so thankful that we do not mourn as those who have no hope. How blessed you were to have her a part of your life for so long. (And I loved Canteen Dreams. Read it a number of years ago.)
Robin, I have been so grateful for that hope. It definitely changes how we grieve. And thank you for your kind words about Canteen Dreams. I love that book!
What a blessing to have lived a life so vibrant! What a lovely thing it is that you had that time in September when it was all about joy (and photos). Praying as you learn life without your beautiful grandma. ♥
She truly was an amazing woman. Thank you for your prayers.
Your grandma sounds like an amazing person. How wonderful to have her in your life for so long! Thinking of you.
We were so blessed!
What a wonderful legacy she gave to your family! So glad she got to be at the wedding.
The fact she was able to attend is such an amazing blessing.
Your grandma sounds amazing! I know you will miss her. Lovely memories!
She was wonderful. Grateful for every year with her.
I am so sorry for your loss, Cara. I can totally relate. We lost my husband’s Mom in January at age 104. Until her 103rd, she LOVED to play games with us and mostly always won! She liked 5 Crowns, Quiddler, Canasta and in her last year when she had dementia she could still play dominoes and counted OUR scores if we weren’t fast enough! She was the BEST mother-in-law ever and treated me like a daughter from the first day. Hers was always a life well lived to the glory of God. Such a blessing that you had a Grandma like this!
Sounds like your mother in law and my grandmother were similar women. We played Canasta with my other grandmother. Your MIL sounds like an amazing woman!
So sorry for your loss! Grandparents are a wonderful blessing in our lives. You were so blessed to have her for so many years and this will be a huge change for your whole family.
Prayers for you and your family as you grieve her homecoming.
Thank you so much.
My deepest sympathy and prayers. Treasure the memories. Big hugs sent your way. May God comfort you and fill you with His peace.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. It’s never easy to lose a loved one. My precious mom graduated to Heaven in August. I miss her so, so much. May God enfold you and your family in His tender, loving care.
What an amazing woman and an amazing life! Thanks for sharing your grandmother with us here at IBL, Cara. May God bring your family comfort and peace and you grieve for her.