Today I say goodbye to you all as I go to say goodbye to my grandmother. As you saw a couple of weeks ago she has had a big influence on my life and my family.
I take with me some memories to share at her farewell gathering….
….dancing at midnight last November at Carly’s Wedding….
Driving in the back seat of the EJ special on holidays to Karoonda
The old Pepper tree and dust garden, sweet peas around the outside toilet….(the only toilet), the rocking chair on the front verandah
…’I can see the silo competitions’ on the school bus run with Grandma
Plum pudding and apricot tarts… every Christmas
learning to crochet, knit, sew and embroider…..as recently as three weeks ago…
our lovely costumes Grandma made for us in the band….
sending hundreds of stitcheries for her to do to fill in her time…
WHAT ARE GRANDMAS FOR?
Grandmas are for stories
about things of long ago.
Grandmas are for caring
about all the things you know...
Grandmas are for rocking you
and singing you to sleep,
Grandmas are for giving you
nice memories to keep...
Grandmas are for knowing
all the things you're dreaming of...
But, most importantly of all,
grandmas are for love.
A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes. She is someone you can tell your secrets and worries to, and she hopes and prays that all your dreams come true. She always loves you, no matter what. She can see past temper tantrums and bad moods, and makes it clear that they don't affect how precious you are to her. She is an encouraging word and a tender touch. She is full of proud smiles. She is the one person in the world who loves you with all her heart, who remembers the child you were and cherishes the person you've become. ~Barbara Cage~
Gran leaves her legacy through us, her children, grandchildren and Great grandchildren, we will not forget….
love H
Oh Helen, your grandmother will be proud of yourself and the wonderful words that you used ... my heart is close to you and I hugs you ...
Cristina
Posted by: pulcino | July 12, 2009 at 08:04 AM
I am so sorry to hear this, my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Carole Ann | July 11, 2009 at 05:11 AM
My depest sympathy to you Helen and your family. Hold on tightly to your memories. The Grandmothers poem is just so special. May I use the words on a stitcherie for my Nanna?
You are in my prayers
Posted by: Di | July 10, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Oh Helen that brings tears to my eyes. I loved my grandma to the last day. I think of her everyday. your grandma looked adorable and I know you'll miss her. Nothing like a grandma!!
Posted by: SHARON | July 08, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Helen She is not gone she will always be in your heart My thoughts are with you and your family.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Nanna mary | July 08, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Beautiful tribute to your grandmother, Helen. She sounded like a wonderful woman.
Hugs, Sandi
Posted by: Sandi | July 08, 2009 at 10:07 AM
What a sweet post......I sat and cried while reading it. As a new grandmother I hope I get the chance to give as your Grandmother gave to you. She sounds like a very special lady.
I never had a grandma in my life and have to learn how to do the job now day by day. So far it has been pure joy!
Thank you for sharing, my sympathies for the loss of someone who loved you unconditionally.
Posted by: Kim | July 08, 2009 at 09:59 AM
HUGS
-x-
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | July 08, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Helen, the memories of your granny never fade away! It's a blessing to have a grandmother so long in your life....and she learned you to sew, knit, embroider and so on. A treasure for life.....I know that, because I had my grandmother long in my life too.
And yes...I still miss her...
Hugs, Yvonne
Posted by: Quiltfan | July 08, 2009 at 07:54 AM
What a lovefull words for such a very special grandma.
Posted by: Anita (Sniet) | July 08, 2009 at 01:53 AM
A lovely tribute to your dear Grandmother Helen...she will live on in your Heart and in Spirit.
Posted by: Dzintra Ingrid | July 08, 2009 at 01:23 AM
A lovely tribute to your grandmother! How fortunate to be blessed with such a wonderful woman in your life.
Posted by: Catherine | July 07, 2009 at 08:10 PM
I am thinking of you and your family. I, too, had a very special relationship with my grandmother, Annie, and also recently paid her tribute on my blog. There is nothing like a grandmother's love. It is the most pure, the most honest, and the most unselfish. It's the kind of love that wraps around you like a favorite blanket and reminds you what life is really about. You will carry it with you forever. We are both very lucky women to have had such beautiful, caring, wonderful grandmothers.
Posted by: Nikki | July 07, 2009 at 11:35 AM
my thoughts are with you at this time.She sounds like a really lovely lady
Posted by: Sue Niven | July 07, 2009 at 12:05 AM
My sympathy to you and your family. Keep close to you your memories of her and share them with your children and others. This way she will always be close to you.
Posted by: Miss Nancy | July 06, 2009 at 11:47 PM
May those wonderful memories continue to warm your heart and those of your family. How lucky for her too - to have had such a caring and loving family. You and your family are in my thought and prayers.
Posted by: Annette | July 06, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Peace to you and your family as you say your farewells. Tomorrow will be 15 years since my Grandmother passed and I miss her still.
Posted by: Mary L | July 06, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Please accept my thoughts and prayers for you and your family - your grandmother sounded like a great lady. Your tribute to her was beautiful.
Posted by: SuzK | July 06, 2009 at 10:41 PM
A beautiful tribute to your Grandmother.I too learned the love of the many Needles from mine. We are so blest by them. We are with you on your journey and God Bless your precious family. Hugs, Marie
Posted by: Marie Evans | July 06, 2009 at 09:59 PM
You have so many wonderful memories to comfort you through the loss and give you peace in the upcoming months. Its a blessing to have had someone like this in your life, and I know she will continue to influence you and your children in a positive way. Now that is a legacy that not all have to draw on. I pray God gives you safety in travel and comfort in your loss.
Posted by: Teresa | July 06, 2009 at 08:38 PM
God bless you and your family as you say your farewells to your grandma. It is such a sad time, keep hold of the good times you had with her. From your tribute, she seems like she was a wonderful lady who taught you so much.
Posted by: Noela | July 06, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Helen I am sending big hugs your way. She sounds like a wonderful woman and your memories are yours forever to keep.
Posted by: Fiona | July 06, 2009 at 07:49 PM
Beautiful Helen!!!
Thinking of you and your family!!
Cathyx
Posted by: Highland Quilter | July 06, 2009 at 07:01 PM
What a truly wonderful tribute to your Grandmother, Helen. It is wonderful that you have all been able to share so many memories, and over several generations as well, treasure them as I am sure you will
Posted by: Shiree Johnston | July 06, 2009 at 06:03 PM
My sympathy to you and your family. Keep the memories in your hart.
Posted by: Heleen | July 06, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Wish you all the strength you need and His love to surround you!
Posted by: Jantine Urban | July 06, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Goodbye's are always so hard. But think of the hello's going on in heaven.
Posted by: Dawn | July 06, 2009 at 03:18 PM
My heart goes out to you Helen. Your Grandmother will be so greatly missed. How wonderful for you all that you got to know such a very special person :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)
Posted by: joy@joypatch.com | July 06, 2009 at 02:48 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you Helen, I was very close to my Grandmother, spend as much time with her as you can. She will be with you always. She will live on in your heart and memories.
Posted by: kim | July 06, 2009 at 01:39 PM
I never knew my grandmothers. You have been very blessed. I'm sure she would say - pass it on.
Posted by: Jocelyn | July 06, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Thoughts are with you and your family, keep safe all her precious memories for the future generations.
lizzie
Posted by: Elizabeth McMahon | July 06, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Dear Helen - my thoughts are with you and all your loved ones - cling to your happy memories!
Hugs - Lurline♥
Posted by: Lurline | July 06, 2009 at 12:24 PM
What a sweet way to pay tribute to your grandmother, they are something very special. it is so great you have so many wonderful memories of her.
Posted by: erika | July 06, 2009 at 12:24 PM
My Sincere sympathy for you and your family. Thank you for your tribute, it brought back a lot of memories for me.
Posted by: marie | July 06, 2009 at 12:00 PM
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. A beautiful message of love and understanding.
She will always be in your hearts.
Julz
Posted by: Julz at Simple Stitches | July 06, 2009 at 11:51 AM
My sympathy to you and your family.
It's been a year and a half since my grandma passed away and I still miss her but she lives on in her words and her love.
Take consolation in those things.
Marina
Posted by: marina | July 06, 2009 at 11:21 AM
My Deepest Sympathy to you and your family
Posted by: jo_in_tas | July 06, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Your family are in my thoughts
Posted by: Jeannette | July 06, 2009 at 10:54 AM
What a sweet tribute. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Myra | July 06, 2009 at 10:48 AM