Tuesday, June 22, 2010

letting go

it's early. we received the call this morning, that my husbands grandmother, passed away.

my husband was late yesterday, coming home from work. he stopped to see his grandma. they talked. when he came through the door, i asked how she seemed. "at peace" was his response. i dig that. ; ) i am glad he went to see her.

and today~

our kids are sleeping, safely tucked inside of their beds. so far, to them, life is still a continuation of the ice cream we said yes to, last night. and that's a good thing, kids should be kids, in that way. great-grandma lived a good, long life. we as adults, understand those type of things. sometimes. kids, not so much. i can't tell you how many times, i have stood over them watching them sleep, this morning.

i made coffee and a bagel for my husband, this morning. i don't normally do this.  we laughed and held back tears. she was his life. and he was so good to her.

i think the death of an older person, is to show us young, smart asses, to get on the ball. live that life we have wanted. go after our dreams.

death is a reminder, to quit talking shit about all the things we are going to do, and do them. at least try.

oh, and the zig zagging that is going through my mind, at this moment... do i have clothes to wear to a funeral? selfish of me, huh?
this is wisconsin, it's either 35 below zero or 100 degrees. that leaves me with a turtleneck and a short sleeve turtle neck. : )
i know my son is not going to be able to get into a 2 year old suit. he is almost 6 feet tall now. uncle Nigel tells me- nooooo worries, jus let dem dahm pants cuff down for da bwoy... had ya bought da suit fa hem, me told ya, da bwoy would have been set for hez wedding, ten years from naw!
lol
ah yep, we are that family. lmao!

she lived a good life.

she said what was on her mind.

she taught my husband to be brave, be presentable, be accountable . i am in debt to this woman. she handed me a good, hard working man. ; )

i ask nothing for myself in prayer today, i will work on letting go, surrendering to His plan, suchness and acceptance.
i pray that grandma makes it home to glory, and meets Gods arms, open wide. no more pain, no more suffering, the end of the storm.

cheers my friend, we will meet again.

all praise to The Most High, for the gift of this blessed day.

one love~

61 ladlefuls of love:

Mohammed said...

You made me cry
Then laugh
Then cry

I love you!

Love to your family.

Liz said...

You touch me everytime. I'm sorry for your loss.

Annette said...

No matter what you write. You inspire me and touch m to the core.

I am sorry for your loss, Christina.

erin said...

Blessings and light to beautiful You and your gorgeous family. ♡hugs♡

m. heart said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

"i think the death of an older person, is to show us young, smart asses, to get on the ball. live that life we have wanted. go after our dreams."

Oh yes!

J Howard said...

What m.heart said.

Blessings

Teresa O said...

You are so right Christina, "death is a reminder, to quit talking shit about all the things we are going to do, and do them. at least try."

I am the loss of your husband's grandmother. Blessings to you and yours.

Polly said...

This is such a wonderful post, so true and poignant, I've read it and reread it and I think I'll be coming back to it today again... I'm sorry about your family's loss but you're right about letting go and about what death actually means... it's an unavoidable landmark that we should all be aware of but not in the way that would stop us living but in the way that makes us seize the day.

Tabitha@ichoosebliss said...

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Losing a loved one is never easy. It does indeed remind us. May you all have a peaceful day my friend.

Bee said...

It sounds like your husband's grandmother lived a long and good life. What else is there, really? Blessings all around -- and her legacy will be carried in your husband and all of the others she touched and influenced.

Camilla~ Bloom said...

I am so sorry for your loss Christina.
You have such a beautiful way with words...very touching.
xo

Bev said...

i am sad for your husband, rejoicing for his grandma, she is with the king! god bless her for her influence in your husband and your family's life...your post today made me tear up pretty good...i have a huge lump in my throat!
"i think the death of an older person, is to show us young, smart asses, to get on the ball. live that life we have wanted. go after our dreams.
death is a reminder, to quit talking shit about all the things we are going to do, and do them. at least try."
for you, for me, for all of us...let those words sink in!!

god bless you and your family as you go through these next few days and weeks...

DollZandThingZ said...

Very well said, Christina. Peace and love to you, your husband, your family.

Dylan said...

may she rest peacefully.

Jane Flanagan said...

I love you so much! This post was perfection. "quit talking shit about all the things we are going to do, and do them. at least try." is the most honest, strained and perfect thing I'll read this week.

Much love to you all.

Cathi said...

Sending your family much love, warm hugs and sunshine! Death is definitely a reminder to get on with life and live each day. I have been reminded of that several times in the past few years after the loss of loved ones! Don't worry over what you are wearing - just go celebrate this wonderful woman's life and legacy! xxoo :)

country girl said...

Laughing, holding back tears....yes, that's life, isn't it? You are right, death is here to remind us to LIVE.
I am embracing you right now.

I was looking at some old posts of mine this morning, and came accross Simple Things. And I was thinking....I hope Christina holds another Simple Things soon.

Love to you, sweet friend.

xoxo

Dawn

Anali said...

I'm glad she lived a good life and that your husband was able to see his grandmother before her passing. I'm sure that means the world to both of them. Take care Christina. Much love to you and your family!

Lori said...

Your words, your photography always touch my heart. Thank you! Yes I love it when you say to get out and live your dreams, to live a life. Love it!

tinkerbell the bipolar faerie said...

The experience, or witnessing, of death sure is humbling, isn't it? It's an uneasy feeling to know just how fallable we are.

So sorry to hear about your family's loss. Godspeed.

xo

Gigi said...

Thinking of you and your family today, Christina. Your post was a beautiful way to remember your husband's grandmother and to celebrate the gifts of family and home. Amazing how just sharing a bagel and a cup of coffee in the morning can be a comfort.

Much love to you,
Gigi

stephanie said...

I loved reading this post. Wonderful words you write to describe the people in your life and what we can learn...even from death. My thoughts are with your family.

Birdie said...

Dear Christina, I'm very sorry for your loss. I was happy to read though that your husband's grandma did live a long life. She did love and she was loved, that's what really counts... sending love your way

Char said...

oh all the things that run through our minds with the loss of a loved one. sad, happy, funny...just good. i can remember buying clothes for each of the family.

sending prayers and hugs along the way...and big big hugs.

Sarah said...

Oh I am sorry to read this Christina. She sounds like a great lady and I am sorry for you and your husband and family that she is gone. x

Lady Grey said...

You and your family are in my heart today.
I so love your spirit.
oxo

Wanda said...

Fly 'way home, Gramma.

Bless the whole family. Yes, that family.

One Love.

smith kaich jones said...

I love you. Really I do. This is praise and tears and laughter left for a good woman by a good woman. The ending of a life with all those stories only she knew - remember that part of Wind, Sand & Stars? It always made me sad at the same time it felt so sacred. Her stories, after all - how lucky y'all are to've shared so many with her.

Thinking of you all.
xoxo
Debi

Carol said...

Sending you hugs

Christina said...

thanks so very much. you all are so kind.
waving to everyone above. ; )
XOXO

Caroline said...

You, my dear friend have such a way with words. Oh how I love your writing. You should write a book...oh yes you should. And this today:

"i think the death of an older person, is to show us young, smart asses, to get on the ball. live that life we have wanted. go after our dreams."

YES! :)

Many blessings to your family.

xo

SE'LAH... said...

Yes I. Exhale. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your beautiful family. I love you.

Hey Nigel, you nah send me nephew de a no funeral inna 2-year-ole poly-ply suit. But me know how you tink. ;)

Kim Klassen said...

so sorry for your loss... such a beautiful heart felt and honest tribute, my friend....

xxo, kim

Suvarna said...

tears, laughter, tears, my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
xoxoxo

mademoisellechitchat said...

Your family is in my thoughts,Christina. Love y'all!

Cinner said...

Oh Christina, I am so sorry for your families loss, I am so glad your husband stopped by to see her. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. A big hug to you my friend You have written such wise words here. Be well.

Cora said...

...the end of the storm...and there you will find the rainbow, bright and beautiful with no end in sight now.
Peace. Blessings.

Erin Wallace said...

Christina, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I can really empathize with wha tyour family is going through right now. I will remember you in my prayers and send much love in your direction.

xo Erin

Joanna Jenkins said...

Oh Christina, There really are no words at a time like this so all I can say is that I'm thinking of you and your husband and sending hugs.
jj

Christina said...

thanks again.
Se'lah* you made me lol.
XO

Lisa said...

Peace to you.

Simply Mel said...

Christina ~

Here's to celebrating life and all the many things we learn, give, receive, and endure through it. There is no doubt, your family will find comfort in many memories of this strong woman who touched each of your lives ...

Thank you for being such an incredible soul, for sharing such poignant (real) words. I simply adore you!

Bisous,
Melissa

PinkInklings said...

Oh Christina, what beautiful woven words for a time when they are usually so hard to find. The lady so dear to your family sounds like she was already endeared to our Father; I'm sure He has already welcomed her home. Hugs to you and your family for the 'hard' parts. Hallelujahs that you can celebrate her life in laughter. Keepin' you in my prayers...

Kim Living Life said...

so sorry Christina but it does make us live a little louder don't you think! So be well take time to grieve and time to hold each other and time to heal
love much
xx

Jessie said...

Christina, i am so sorry for your loss. your words made me smile, they gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. such beautiful words filled with wisdom.
love, hugs, and smiles to you...

Jac said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your husbands grandmother - she sounds a fine woman with good honest values. I love your writing so much Christina - you always seem to get to the core of the matter. You're so right, sometimes you need to seize the day and just do it and sadly it sometimes takes something like this to make us realise that life is short and precious. Thank you today and I'm thinking of you all...xo

Paula said...

I am sending you hope, love, and prayers, my friend. May God hold all of you tightly in his heart. I know he will.

Oliag said...

As I belatedly read this post, I savored the words you put down to describe your familiy's loss...sadness, humour, peace, and longing are all part of it...My thoughts are with you...
xo
Gail

Shell said...

I believe too when we lose a loved one that their death is a reminder for us to live deep, wide and juicy.
Sending love to your family.

ELK said...

just stopped here today to offer my sympathy for your loss and my praise for a life well lived and the special traits she passed on to your husband...she lives on in him..blessings

Connie said...

Dearest Christina..thinking of you and your family today! I am so sorry to hear of your loss!((hugs))

Leslie said...

I always feel that death is one of the most beautiful reminders of what life is about. We feel loss, yet we are also reminded of all the precious moments we were allowed to experience together. Wishing your family peace.

elizabeth said...

my thoughts and love are with you, christina. may you feel surrounded in love.

Toni said...

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. 54 ladlefuls of love. =)

Marilyn said...

God has touched your families life with a blessed woman. Though there is sorrow may you feel great joy in this life that has gone on before you. How precious that she blessed you with a special man in your life.

Chris said...

Oh Christina I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband's grandmother. I am envious, but only in a good way, of those who had the opportunity to have such wonderful people in their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

maccandace said...

I'm sorry, she sounds so special...as do you.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss, Soul.

Wonderful post. Tears, laughter, and a kick in the pants... knowing what is truly important in life!

--Becky

meandering pearl said...

hugs for you!!!

spudballoo said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's a tough time, no matter how long and how fulfilled her life was x

Your post was just perfect. The right mix of respectful, and lighthearted...for in the midst of life we are in death. And suits need to be sought and fitted in to, despite the gravity of the situation.

But mostly AMEN to the woman that shaped your husband to be the man that he is. As mothers/women of influence we are often too busy, to exhausted to see the seriousness of our work. We are bearing, raising and shaping other womens' husbands. We deserve medals for that.

So medals and blessings to your husband's grandmother. She did a fine, fine job and now she deserves a rest.

xxx

Teachinfourth said...

Sorry about your loss. I know just what you were talking about.