Our sweet Grammy passed away last Tuesday. We know she is in a better place, dancing with PopPop in heaven, but we still miss her. It has been a hard few years for the family as Grammy's Alzheimer's progressed. She was confused and felt lost quite often, which had to have been terrifying for her. Grammy was the kindest, most generous little lady. She took me in as her own granddaughter from the minute I met her. "Step" was never included in our titles for each other. She was my grandmother and I was her granddaughter. Period. I will cherish memories of her always.
While poking around at Grammy's house this week, helping Carly pick out the perfect outfit for her to be buried in and watching as everyone prepared the house for guests, memories came flooding in. Every little detail in her home has a story: her coffee cup that was never empty, her collection of bird houses, her drawer of bottle caps from glass Coke bottles, the cold air vent in the kitchen floor, the basement we'd retreat to with every threat of severe weather.
Carly and I slept in Grammy's bed the night Dylan was born. We were so excited; it took forever to fall sleep. We sat up talking and giggling, as usual. I wrote a letter to Dylan that night and think I still have it somewhere. It's full of 14 year old girl bubble letters and cutesy handwriting; he's going to love it. I typically slept in Grammy's room or the twin bed next to her room whenever I stayed the night. None of the grandkids would sleep upstairs after the rumor spread that it was haunted!
Grammy taught me how to catalog shop from a very young age. She and PopPop received more catalogs and magazines than imaginable. I'll never forget when we were younger, thumbing through the catalogs and dog-earing the pages in anticipation for Christmas!
Every Christmas Eve (or whenever everyone had off work on the same night), we played the swap game with the entire family on Grammy and PopPop's back porch. We'd open our "stockings" from Grammy and PopPop that night as well, then would all wear our matching pj sets over our clothes for a silly picture. Christmas celebrations will never be the same without Grammy and PopPop. We will continue with the traditions that they established and always celebrate their legacies.
My last visit with Grammy was a great one. She was in the hospital and David, Charlie, and I stopped by on our way back to North Carolina. She was awake and aware. She knew who we were and was thrilled to see Charlie.
I was so optimistic that she'd bounce back and get stronger. I'm extremely grateful that my last moments with Grammy were so happy. She moved into a nursing home when she was released from the hospital, but unfortunately, she didn't bounce back like I thought she would.
Charlie and I caught a flight Tuesday night and spent a short few days in Birmingham. Although it was a sad trip, we enjoyed quality time with family.
I don't know how long it will be active, but here is a link to Grammy's obituary:
http://obits.al.com/obituaries/birmingham/obituary.aspx?n=bess-dees&pid=167442920&fhid=5554
Pictures from Carly's wedding with Grammy:
A few pictures from her beautiful viewing and funeral:
We love you and miss you Grammy. I can't wait to see you again in Heaven one day!
