I said a goodbye to my grandma today.

My brother called and said the words we all knew were coming..."Mom passed away today." 

For the past 40 years, going back as far as I can remember, my grandma - my dad's mom - was always there looking after me (watching me...and sometimes worrying about me too).

ToMom

We Called Her Mom
Of all 8 grandkids, only my brother Nathan and I were the ones who called her Mom. You see, that's what my dad called her when I was a kid; so, it just stuck. I will say, though, I have a memory of us being out at the grocery store - I must have been 10 or 12. At the checkout counter, I said something...and called her Mom out loud. The counter clerk looked at me, looked at my grandma and looked back at me. I don't remember the exact words, but they were along the lines of, "Oh, he can call me Mom, it makes me feel so young!"

She Let Me Make Noise
Ok, another memory I have: Playing "drums" on the kitchen floor. She took out all the pots, pans and tupperware, and gave me the ladles the wooden spoons and the spatulas. I don't know how she did it, but she let me "bang the drum." 

She Let Me Win
Ok, I remember the day she found a recipe, bought the ingredients AND let me make Stone Soup. I don't remember the EXACT reasons behind me making stone soup, but she guided me through the process. She was - to me - the most gracious grandma; always letting me win, telling me that anything was possible. From the advice she gave me when I started driving, "Always watch out for the other guy," to the curiosity she encouraged me to teach with, "Always remember the people out there have a lot to deal with, too." she was always there for me and gave me the chances I needed to succeed.

 Thank You, Grandma - Colleen Mary Womack
The world I live in got rocked today. It will forever be different, a hole where there was once storytelling, singing, wisdom and (always) flair. I send you my love...

Comments

[Wendii Lord]

Jason,

my condolences on your loss. Your memories made me smile, and I hope in time, the grief will pass and the smiles will return for you too.

Wendii

[Vince Lyons]

Jason,

I am so sorry for your loss. You Grandma sounds like an awesome woman and it is obvious where you got a lot of your inspiration from. All of us, who have learned from you, have a lot to thank her for.

Vince