Monday, March 16, 2015

Saying Good-bye

After the funeral services people gathered at the cemetery for my Grandmother's burial. Pictured here are some of the people standing graveside, and the buggy in which she had her final ride.
 
Photo credit: Mark Earnest Burr  Used by permission.
 
Before long a plain headstone will be placed by her grave as the only reminder of who she was and the life she lived. Generations to come, and visitors to the cemetery will walk by, read the inscription, and not know what a great woman she was. She lived a quiet life, one that people soon forget. One that I want to always remember, and want my children and grandchildren to know.

Born in the early the early 1920's my grandmother never had an easy life. She got married young, her life did not get easier because of it. Through it all though she was the picture of everything a woman should be. She was patient, kind, and gentle. She endured things no one should ever have to endure, but she never complained, or had bad things to say about anyone.

She was a widow for over twenty-five years. Having been left penniless she made ends meet by quilting. She was the queen of making do with what she had and finding uses for everything. Her trashcan was more of a decorative item in her house than something that had a use because she didn't throw anything away.

She had joy in her life. Deep joy. The kind that even when you would think she had every right to feel sorry for herself, or be sad, her joy radiated through all that.

So though we say good-bye to her now. I want to pass her legacy of joy on and hope that future generations will experience it too.

15 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and heart-felt tribute, Mary Ann.

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  2. So sorry for your loss and what beautiful words for a wonderfull grandmother,
    greetings
    Francisca

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  3. A lovely and most heartfelt tribute. Prayers coming for all of you.

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  4. That was lovely Mary Ann. I've been praying for your family.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  5. There is so much to be thankful for in our grandparents' lives. She will be missed by many I'm sure.

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  6. Wow. Her story sounds so inspiring. I am sorry for your loss but happy you had such an amazing person in your life. Many blessings.

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  7. Beautiful tribute for a great person.

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  8. And now she reaps her rewards for all of eternity. Your grandmother sounds s if she is a precious soul. I hope to meet her in glory. May God be with all her friends and family during their time of grieving. Bless you Mary ann

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  9. And now she reaps her rewards for all of eternity. Your grandmother sounds s if she is a precious soul. I hope to meet her in glory. May God be with all her friends and family during their time of grieving. Bless you Mary ann

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  10. each of us are here for a reason only God knows, her mission is complete and she now rests in glory. I always say, no one is ever gone as long as their name is spoken out loud. I speak often the names of my ancestors. God Bless

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  11. All grandmothers would be honored to be remembered in such a way. Myself included. blessings

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  12. What a wonderful woman. May we all aspire to be remembered for such graces.

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  13. You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful person in your life. I envy you.

    Hugs to you and all of you family. Take care of each other, and be glad you can be together. God bless you.

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  14. The words you've spoken are certainly better than anything that could be inscribed on a stone! You'll cherish her memory and pass the stories on to your children.

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  15. I still have good memories of spending a Saturday in her home when I lived at Aylmer Ontario in the mid 1980's.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.