Sunday, July 31, 2011

In which I am grateful for what I know to be true

At 10 p.m. last night the phone rang.  And I knew what it was.  Danny paused the movie we were watching and answered the phone.  I held my breath analyzing his side of the conversation.  He seemed all business and yet solemn.  But I knew.

Picture of Grandma lifted from my sister's blog post.

My grandma passed away.  She was the only grandma I ever knew.  I hadn't seen her since my grandpa's funeral in 1999. 

  • Grandma would insist on putting vitamin E on my mosquito bites.  She told me the mosquitos loved my sweet blood.
  • Grandma would take her dentures out for the grandkids' pure amusement.  I'm fairly certain she never glued them in. 
  • When Grandma came to visit, she'd do our laundry for us.
  • I remember being amused at how loud Grandma could snore.
  • I love how she affectionately called Grandpa, "Daddy."
  • Grandma and I wrote letters to each other from about the time I got married (almost 13 years ago) until about 2 1/2 years ago when I was pregnant with the twins and stopped writing so often.  She wrote on a legal pad with a black sharpie most of the time.  Sometimes it was blue.  Once it was red.  On occasion she'd include recipes or newspaper stories in the letters. 
  • Grandma would tell me during every phone call how proud she was that I married a return missionary. 
Just a week and a half ago, Danny and I talked about getting a plane ticket for me to go see Grandma one more time.  Grandma never met Danny or any of my kids.  But since Peach and I are joined at the hip, and Peach-aged folk fly free to Hawaii, it would be the two of us.  That was the plan. 

But it was too late. 

I know she's happy with Grandpa again.  I know she can see and she can walk.  I know that families are forever and I will see her again one day.  To her, it may seem like a short while, to me perhaps a lifetime.

9 comments:

i'm erin. said...

Can you come with Peach to the funeral? I think I am going to try to get a ticket. I love your tidbits.

Susie J. said...

(((Hugs))) Those late night phone calls always make my heart race, for this very reason.

lvs2dance said...

Hugs to you friend. I am so sorry for you loss. Isn't it so great that we have the knowledge of forever families? Even though we are so sad at our loss, our loved ones are SO happy to be where they are!

MaryRuth said...

So sorry for your loss! I loved your grandma... we stayed with her and your grandpa for several weeks when we were in Hawaii for school. They took us out for Chinese food almost every night. There were several times I thought I might die with your grandpa driving... they were so kind and so hospitable and I have lots of fond memories from that visit.

Are you going to the funeral?

That Girl said...

I'm so sorry, Nikki. I love your memories though. Those last forever, too.

Nikki said...

We're not sure yet if Danny can get off a couple days to watch the kids while Peach and I go to the funeral.

MaryRuth-- Your comment about my Grandpa's driving made me laugh out loud. Ah the memories. I thought I'd die too. His trucker cap and sunglasses on-- even at night. hahaha

Laurie HF said...

What a beautiful post, and a beautiful grandma. How wonderful that you can celebrate her life. I hope that you get to go to the funeral. Hugs and prayers to you.

Julie V. said...

I love this post. Our prayers are with you all. I'm happy your awesome hubby will be able to handle things while you go to Hawaii.

Tubbs Family said...

You're post made me want to cry! What a tender and heartfilled relationship you had with her.