Grandma Faye by evalieutionspics

Grandma Faye

My grandma said goodbye to this earth late Monday night. She was 102 years six months old. As she got older, those months became more and more important to her. :)

I miss her desperately. I spent every summer with my grandparents from the age of 8 (when I was deemed old enough to ride the bus from Dallas, TX to Farmington, NM alone. It was a much different world 50 years ago.) until I began working at age 16. She taught me how to make pie crusts, weed a garden, clean windows, fry trout, and knit. She showed me that it is possible to herd cattle down the road at midnight while wearing an evening gown...if you are the only one there to get it done. She and my grandad were a respite from a fractious and stressful home life. A world of peace and order in the midst of chaos.

When my grandad died eleven years ago, at age 101, I was the one she asked to stay with her after everyone else left. For ten days we stayed up late, got up late, lounged in our PJs, and generally only went out for the necessary groceries. The whole time I listened to her stories of their lives together. Seventy-six years of marriage...all of the things that made it work, the struggles, the joys, the heartbreaks. I told her about the time I realized that she wasn't the boss of the family. She laughed so hard to think that anyone thought she was the boss! She shared stories of my three aunts and my mom, some that I don't think they have even heard. It was a precious, healing time for both of us.

I have spent two weeks every year with her for the last eleven years for our annual slumber party. I spent the time working on making things easier for her in her home and enjoying her company. I have been blessed beyond measure with each visit. The prospect of not having that time with her saddens me so much.
So sorry to hear of your loss. The stories of those 102 years experience priceless.
July 19th, 2018  
So many wonderful memories you will carry forward with you. I'm so sad to read of your loss, I'm sure you will miss her dearly.
July 19th, 2018  
No story I've read here on 365 is as dear as the words you've expressed about your grandmother. I'd have given anything for such a background with either of my grandmothers, but they were all gone so soon! If you have children, I hope you're able to write stories of your time together...starting with traveling by bus at age 8! "What has changed" through time is always so fascinating. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Some day you'll happily embrace the incredible maximum number of years you were able to share with your grandparents! My best to you going forward...
July 19th, 2018  
What a beautiful story of your two precious grandparents and the close bond you had with them. Keep those lovely memories close.
July 19th, 2018  
Boo
so sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was a wonderfully strong woman. Keep those memories alive. xxxxx
July 19th, 2018  
You have many many many happy memories to draw on when you are at your lowest ebb of grieving. SMile at your memries and after the rainstorm of the shock of your loss abates, there will be rainbows of happy memories x.
July 19th, 2018  
What a treasured family member! You were each blessed to have each other and to enjoy time enhanced by the span of your generations. That is not as common as it once was. I am sorry for your loss.
July 19th, 2018  
The tenderness of your relationship just shines through in your prose. I am sure she was as fortunate to have you as you were to have her. My thoughts are with you that you will find comfort and be at peace in time, despite your loss.
July 19th, 2018  
Beautifully written account of your wonderful grandmother. Thank you for sharing her with us. My sympathies on your loss.
July 20th, 2018  
What a wonderful, wonderful story of such a special relationship - one that you can only hope to pass on to others. The way you have written it speaks volumes about both of you - I know it hurts so much now - and even though that will lessen - the memories will not go away. They're what will bring smiles when you really need them. My thoughts and prayers to you.
July 20th, 2018  
Such moving words and story. To have had such a meaningful bond with her is a true gift. May the wonderful memories help ease your pain. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
July 20th, 2018  
What wonderful times you got to share with your grandmother! You had a bond and closeness that will be cherished forever. She sounds like she was a special person, who lived a long life and she was able to pass on some of those memorable stories to you. I am sorry it was her time to say goodbye but as you heal from the sting of her loss know how fortunate you were to have her with you as long as you did. We remember most who we have loved the best. Take care!
July 20th, 2018  
Sorry for your loss
July 20th, 2018  
Such a wonderful bond you two had! So sorry for your loss
July 20th, 2018  

To all of you:
You cannot know how heartfelt and overwhelmingly appreciative I am with my thanks. When I woke up this morning and saw all of the notifications and then began reading your lovely messages...well, tears just rolled down my face at your kind, thoughtful, and encouraging words. Truly, you are an amazing group of people!

@ziggy77 Thank you so much for your kind words!

@novab Your words meant so much as I read them this morning, thank you.

@Weezilou Thank you so much for your very kind words of comfort.

@dide Thank you so much for your sweet words.


@huvesaker Thank you so very much for taking the time to offer comfort. It means a great deal.

@30pics4jackiesdiamond I can't express how much I appreciate your sweet words of comfort.

@jnorthington Thank you so very much for your kind words. I have indeed been blessed.

@helenhall Your words of comfort are indeed a comfort. Thank you so much for them.

@amyk Your words this morning were a lovely moment of strength and comfort, thank you.

@milaniet Thank you so much for your thoughtful words of comfort and encouragement. They were certainly a balm this morning.

@joysabin I am so thankful for your kind and thoughtful gift of comfort.

@gardenfolk Thank you so much for such thoughtful words of comfort. You are right, I have been blessed to have had her in my life for so long. Not many women who live to be great-great-great grandmothers.

@joansmor Thank you so much for your kind words of comfort.

@elkereturns I so appreciate your sweet words of comfort.
July 20th, 2018  
So very sorry for your loss but it sounds like you have many wonderful memories
July 21st, 2018  
that I should come across your photostream just at the right moment to hear your precious tribute to Grandma Faye and your memories of your wonderful relationship is very special to me
July 30th, 2018  
@bkbinthecity, thank you very much much for your kind words.
July 30th, 2018  
@anniesue Thank you so much for your thoughtful words about my memories of my grandmother. She was a very special woman.
July 30th, 2018  
I have just read the one about your grandmas broken arms and the rehab - then came to this......what a wonderful life she must have had and how lucky you are that you could share it with her - you will carry those memories in your heart forever and she will be watching over you
August 4th, 2018  
Such a precious tribute to your Grandma. You had such a extraordinary relationship with her.
So sad for your loss! Those priceless memories you have of her will last forever.
August 7th, 2018  
@annied Thank you for both of your lovely comments about my Grandma. I appreciate you taking the time to make them even though the frenzy of posting had already passed.
August 11th, 2018  
@farmreporter Your kind comment on my post about my Grandma was very thoughtful. I very much appreciate it.
August 11th, 2018  
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