Hi Bookworms. You may or may not have noticed that I haven’t posted a whole lot this week. I got some pretty rotten news on Sunday. My Grandma passed away. She was pushing 90 and not in great health, but knowing that doesn’t make it suck any less. It’s made me think a lot about what’s worth remembering . I lived a few hours drive from my grandparents my whole life, so our visits weren’t frequent, but there are certain things I want to remember about the way Grandma was. What follows is not profound discussion of my Grandma’s character- I think very few grandchildren ever really understand who their grandparents are as humans. What I understand about my Grandma are the things that made her special to me, and I’m going to write them down so I never forget them.
1. My Grandma was super short. It was a rite of passage to outgrow her. This feat was typically accomplished by the grandchildren around the age of 8 or 9. Small things are always cuter than big things. My pocket sized Grandma was the CUTEST.
I’m like 5’3, so I was maybe 5’5 with heels. Grandma was so tiny and adorable!
2. She used to snort when she laughed. It was magical. I remember when Family Matters came out, I was shocked to hear Steve Urkel’s snort. I thought it was a Grandma-exclusive.
3. Grandma always made us waffles for breakfast when we stayed the night. She used to put the syrup in a coffee mug and heat it up in the microwave so we’d have warm syrup. I still do this. Warm syrup is way better than cold. Also, her waffles tasted better than any other waffles ever. I’ve never figured out if she had a secret recipe or if the recipe was Grandma love.
4. Grandma and Grandpa always gave me books. I’ll admit, sometimes it annoyed me that my cousin got sweet pink legos and I got the Great Illustrated Classics, but I was well versed in The Three Musketeers and Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde at 10. That’s pretty cool.
5. Grandma used to call me Katrina. I’ve heard several theories as to why. My mom claims that was a name they were thinking of using when she was pregnant with me. A friend of mine thinks it could be that my Dutch Grandma (Who married into a German family) was using a more familiar-to-her form of Kathryn. All I know is that it took me a long time to realize “Katrina” was a name and not a term of endearment. Hurricanes be damned, every time I hear “Katrina” I mentally substitute “sweetheart.”
Losses are hard. Remembering the good stuff helps. Also helpful? Imagining a Heaven where she’s hanging out with my Grandpa and all the friends and family that went before her. I like to picture them feasting on a magnificent meal that has no calories. Everyone is happy and healthy. There are lots of flowers. There are lots of books. There is LOTS of laughter- snorts and all. Someday, that’s where I want to be.
I realize these are photos from my wedding, but we all looked our best that day. I’ll miss you, Grandma.
OMG, this made me cry. I am so sorry for your loss. It is wonderful that you are remembering some of the most fabulous parts of your Grandma.
Thanks Shana. It’s been a rough week. But I’m focusing on the good stuff, you know?
So very sorry to hear about your Grandma.
Thank you, Priscilla.
Katie – I’m so sorry to hear of your grandma passing. She sounds like a total sweetheart and I bet she’s hanging out with my grandma in heaven comparing to see who is shorter. Hugs! =)
Thanks Joules! I hope your tiny Grandma is at the calorie-free feast too! I love to imagine the happy parties up there. I bet they’re looking down going “Awwww, look at our girls playing together. How sweet!”
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing some of your memories of your grandma.
Thanks Rhian. I thought the internet needed to know how awesome she was. And that you should always warm up your syrup.
Katie, I’m sorry to hear about your grandma. I lost my grandmother a few years ago and it still hurts sometimes. Just remember that she’s always with you in your heart. Sometimes I still hear my grandmother’s voice in my head commenting on certain situations. I hope I always do and that you do too.
Thanks Marianne! I’m pretty sure she’s watching out for me already. Actually, I was talking to my mom last night feeling guilty about not visiting more and my phone hung up out of nowhere. I think that was Grandma’s way of telling me to cut it out! Tiny but feisty, she was.
I’m sure she is too. BTW, I sent you an e-card to the wordsforworms@gmail.com address, so be on the lookout for it!
I just received it! It was beautiful, thank you so much for the kind words. They help more than you know.
So sorry to hear this, but you’re right, it does help to remember the things that made her special.
Knowing my Grandma, she’d be all like, “Oh my goodness I can’t believe everyone is making such a fuss!” But she was cool, she deserved some fuss
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Lovely post. Thank you!
Thanks
Katie, I’m sorry for your loss. Your grandma sounds pretty awesome! Your post definitely reminds me not to take life for granted.
She was pretty great and she lived a long life. I’m sure she’d tell you to hug your babies more and enjoy them before they outgrow you. You’re not very tall yourself!
Lol! Great advice! Hugs to you!
Sorry for the loss of your Grandma. I can relate to this entire post. How do Grandmas make things so well like waffles. I’d like to think it’s love too and not just a special recipe. Now when I hear the name Katrina I’ll definitely be thinking of something more positive and I’m from New Orleans. Thanks for this beautiful post.
Seriously, Grandma love makes everything taste magical.
Definitely!!!
Aww, I know I’m new to your blog but I’m sorry about your grandma passing. Mine died in April from pancreatic cancer, so I know it’s rough – your post made me a little misty. Your grandma sounds like she was a wonderful woman and awesome grandma.
Oh Sarah, I’m sorry to hear about your Grandma too! Cancer is awful! She was a heck of a lady, as I’m sure yours was too.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Katie. Your grandma sounds like such a sweet lady, and I’m glad you have such wonderful memories of her
Thanks Leah, she was great. I can still hear her laugh in my head and it kind of cracks me up
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I’m sorry to hear of your Grandmas passing. However, this was a very sweet tribute to her memory. And you’re right, she was adorable ‘Katrina’.
Cinderblocks.
Katie girl this was just lovely.
Thank you. And thank you for distracting me when necessary
What a sweet, heartfelt tribute to your grandma. She sounds like an amazing person who touched your life in a very special way. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you. She was great. I thought the internet should know that
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Awww I’m so sorry hunnie for your loss! xoxoxo Those pictures are beautiful. Your grandma looked like an amazing woman! I wish I got to know my grandmother more. Beautiful post in honor of her! I love it!
Thanks, hon!
Wow. This was a really moving farewell. I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandma. All of them seem to have the same affect on their grand kids. This made me remember my own…
Thanks, Adam. Grandma’s are magic that way.
I am so sorry to hear about your Grandma. I had noticed you’d been absent and I missed you….
Thanks for sharing some memories of her with us!
Thanks Lyssa, I’m feeling much better, back in fighting form. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed (I know I said it once, but I’ll say it again because you rock).
THANKS!
What a lucky girl you are to have had such a wonderful grandma. what is it with loss today? i just wrote about it, too.
I was pretty lucky. My Grandma was the best. I don’t know- loss is suckier than usual at this time of year.
Losing a grandma is a different kind of loss. They’re the ones that hug us, love us, and spoil us in their special grandma way. My prayers are with you. This is such a beautiful post and I’m happy you were able to build such great memories with her.
Thanks Ech. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Your Grandma was adorable! Thank you for sharing…I hope that it helps the healing by being able to share such wonderful memories! You wrote a beautiful tribute to her!
Thanks Sami! Actually, I do feel better. The last few days every time I start feeling crappy, I imagine the snort laugh and I can’t help but smile
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I love your pocket sized Grandma. I can see in the pictures that she just adored and loved you. She obviously had a big impact on who you are today. A book lover, smart, funny, gorgeous. I am so sad to hear about her death. I hope you find comfort in your memories.
I’m so sorry for your loss. This is a lovely tribute to someone for whom it’s obvious you loved very much.
Thank you
She looks like a riot from that last photo you posted. And sometimes, even when it’s “expected,” it’s unexpected. I don’t have super awesome soothing words for you other than: it sucks, but you’re lucky that you got the chance to have her be a part of your life. She’s lucky that she leaves behind such loving family who will miss her so much. As we say, “May she be of blessed memory.”
Thank you. That’s a beautiful saying. I might just borrow that!
I just read the comments from your blog post. After drying my eyes, I looked for Grandma’s Waffle Mix recipe and I have it! If you’d like, I’ll make a batch and give you some, or y’all can stop by for breakfast someday (pre-arranged of course) and ill even bake them for you … Warm syrup and all. Wonderful post and wonderful memories of a wonderful lady