Life is a circle
Posted 08-12-2008 at 08:52 PM by No spoken words
Odd day today.
Last night, my sister called me and left me a message...she and her girlfriend are going the fertility route to get pregnant, and she wanted to let me know that this morning was the day they'd inseminate. I'm very excited for them both, and, look forward to becoming an Uncle....and seeing my parents finally become Grandparents.
So the circle? My Grandmother passed away this morning.
She was 89 and, truly, lived a GREAT life. She was very charismatic and had interesting stories....she was a child during the depression, was the daughter of immigrants, served in the Women's Army Corps stateside during WWII while her husband fought overseas....she was a multi-sport athlete in an ear when women playing sports was not necessarily encouraged, and, she had a fantastic sense of humor. The funeral is Friday, I'll be flying out to Manchester airport on Thursday night.
How do I feel? Bummed is likely the right word. I've not seen her more than 1x a year since I moved away from NYC in 1997, and even before that, with her living in Mass while we were in NYC, I did not get to see her that often. I do have great memories of her from my childhood, though, up to my teen years. So, for me, I'm sad but not devastated.
I'm truly upset for my Dad and Aunt, though. My Aunt was very close to her, typical Mother/Daughter relationship. My Aunt was the one that had to deal with her declining health, see her slowly lose her vitality, faculties, etc. As for my Dad, well, he lost his Father when my Dad was just 18....and that devastated him. So, his Mother's passing is not only a tough loss for him, but it's going to open old wounds, I fear.
My Grandma was not "dying", per se, but she was slowly getting worse, and so while her death is a mild surprise, it's not a shock.....and perhaps for the best, I don't know, as her pain and suffering are now done with.
I don't know if there is a heaven, not sure if I even believe in one, but I hope she is there right now, reunited with my Grandpa, who I never did meet. And here on Earth, I am hoping that my Aunt and Dad are not too negatively impacted, and for not too long.
Meanwhile, in two weeks, we find out if my sister's girlfriend is indeed pregnant. It just goes around and around, no?
Last night, my sister called me and left me a message...she and her girlfriend are going the fertility route to get pregnant, and she wanted to let me know that this morning was the day they'd inseminate. I'm very excited for them both, and, look forward to becoming an Uncle....and seeing my parents finally become Grandparents.
So the circle? My Grandmother passed away this morning.
She was 89 and, truly, lived a GREAT life. She was very charismatic and had interesting stories....she was a child during the depression, was the daughter of immigrants, served in the Women's Army Corps stateside during WWII while her husband fought overseas....she was a multi-sport athlete in an ear when women playing sports was not necessarily encouraged, and, she had a fantastic sense of humor. The funeral is Friday, I'll be flying out to Manchester airport on Thursday night.How do I feel? Bummed is likely the right word. I've not seen her more than 1x a year since I moved away from NYC in 1997, and even before that, with her living in Mass while we were in NYC, I did not get to see her that often. I do have great memories of her from my childhood, though, up to my teen years. So, for me, I'm sad but not devastated.
I'm truly upset for my Dad and Aunt, though. My Aunt was very close to her, typical Mother/Daughter relationship. My Aunt was the one that had to deal with her declining health, see her slowly lose her vitality, faculties, etc. As for my Dad, well, he lost his Father when my Dad was just 18....and that devastated him. So, his Mother's passing is not only a tough loss for him, but it's going to open old wounds, I fear.
My Grandma was not "dying", per se, but she was slowly getting worse, and so while her death is a mild surprise, it's not a shock.....and perhaps for the best, I don't know, as her pain and suffering are now done with.
I don't know if there is a heaven, not sure if I even believe in one, but I hope she is there right now, reunited with my Grandpa, who I never did meet. And here on Earth, I am hoping that my Aunt and Dad are not too negatively impacted, and for not too long.
Meanwhile, in two weeks, we find out if my sister's girlfriend is indeed pregnant. It just goes around and around, no?
Total Comments 18
Comments
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I have no clue what to say.
Life is a circle man...
My grands are in their late 80's and I dread the phone ringing every day that says one of them has passed.
I see my own wrinkles and can't help but think of grand children of my own that are yet unborn.
I am 41.
My mother was a grandmother in her late 30's.
I want to have a grandchild so bad, but yet, youth...is still in my bones.
I am so, very sorry for your hurt and loss.
But it is life, it is that circle we all must face.
:hug:
(p.s. obviously found clue)Posted 08-12-2008 at 09:19 PM by Night & Day
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For the privilege of being an uncle it's your job to start the book collection and you get to buy clothes that reflect your preferences for teams and music.
I'm very sorry for your family's loss. Sounds like you had a kick ass Grandma
Posted 08-13-2008 at 12:10 AM by redkat -
yay for you on being an uncle, or soon-to-be!
sounds like grandma was a very cool ladyPosted 08-13-2008 at 06:05 AM by U2Girl416 -
I totally get how you feel. My grandmother died last May and while I have great memories of her from childhood, I didn't really have much contact with her after the age of 17/18. But I was really sad for my Mom who was obviously devastated.
Best of luck to your sister and her partner.Posted 08-13-2008 at 08:51 AM by anitram -
Thank you....Posted 08-13-2008 at 06:52 PM by No spoken words 
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I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother, but happy to hear about the chance of you becoming an uncle.
Similar thing happened to me as well. My grandmother died a week after my sister was born. I can only imagine how my mother felt at that time, has to be a rough mix. As cliche as it sounds, life truly does work in circles like that.Posted 08-13-2008 at 07:35 PM by LMP -
The ups & downs of life
Best of luck to your sister & her partner. I liked redkat's comments
May grandma rest in peacePosted 08-13-2008 at 07:44 PM by Lila64 -
I almost lost my grandma(92) a couple months ago. I'll be terribly sad when that day comes..
Sorry for your lossPosted 08-13-2008 at 07:59 PM by kafrun -
I'll let you cut in line for slapsgiving.Posted 08-13-2008 at 08:31 PM by WildHoneyAlways -
Just passing along my condolences and congrats.
Manhug?Posted 08-13-2008 at 10:03 PM by zonelistener - Ha, thanks, manhugs are perfectly acceptable.Posted 08-13-2008 at 10:08 PM by No spoken words
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Sorry to hear it, NSW.
Good luck to your sis and her partner, however! That could be a big case of brilliant.Posted 08-13-2008 at 10:28 PM by Angela Harlem - My younger brother was born three hours before my father's mother died. My father had just enough time to see his second son born and then see his mother for the final time.
It's funny how things like that work.Posted 08-14-2008 at 12:12 AM by phillyfan26 - Spoke to my Dad and he seems in good spirits, so that's a good sign....I'll see him tonight when I land in NH.Posted 08-14-2008 at 06:01 PM by No spoken words
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I'm sorry, Mike.Posted 08-14-2008 at 10:03 PM by Diane L - Well, at the airport on the way back home. I'd never been a pall bearer before, or, tossed dirt on a coffin before. Fucking surreal, sad, odd, etc.
My Sister and Father gave amazing speeches in honor of my Grandma. Odd to see my Father cry, it has been a long time.
So, there was sadness, but, there was a lot of story swapping....laughs......and it did bring all of us together for the first time in ages. It was a sad reason, but, it was good to see everyone and be reminded of just how much my family mean to me.Posted 08-16-2008 at 01:53 PM by No spoken words - The story swapping, the laughs, I think we need them at times like that. I find funerals entirely surreal. Maybe it's death that I find surreal through the funeral itself. I hope you remember the good times without too much sadness. A grandma would want no less.
Posted 08-27-2008 at 11:24 PM by Angela Harlem -
Im sorry about your grandmother My grandfather,my dad's dad,died 10 days before I was born. From what I have been told he was a really great man.
Congrats on possibly becoming an uncle soonPosted 10-22-2008 at 06:58 PM by BonosBaby12
