God saw that she was getting tired,
A cure was not to be.
So he put His arms around her
And whispered, ”Come with Me.”
With tearful eyes, we watched her suffer.
And saw her fade away.
Although we loved her dearly,
We could not make her stay.
A golden heart stopped beating.
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes ”the best” – Author unknown
I remember once when I was in my late teens, I was helping grandma greet people walking into the temple she was a member of, during some holiday and a man walking in gave me a dirty look because of my exploration of many religions and ways of life. You see he knew I was exploring all religion options and he did not like it or “think” I should even be there with my grandma, at a “temple”, during a “holiday”, as obviously I was not committed enough to be there.
My grandmother looked at me with my purple strip of hair and my eyes welling up with tears and told me to lift my head up and just do ME. As long as I was respectful and EMPOWERING me, I was doing the right thing!!! Then Grandma looked at the Man with the dirty look and asked him how he was doing today and then winked while asking how his “new” dinner guest from the night before was. Bam. Now I never looked at her comment to him as anything other than “I will stand up for my granddaughter and her right to learn, explore and sharing of new things she is learning to become a better version of herself”. This coming from my best friend in the whole world (even to this day) who grew up being 1 in a family of 8.
I tell this story and many many others to my kids and remind my family about how my Grandmother (or Aunt Pearl) was the most influential person in my life and her legacy keeps me grounded and striving for more every day.
Grandma used to make French Pancakes by the dozen and there used to be contests at the kitchen table for whoever was visiting at the time to see how many could be eaten in one sitting. I’m told the record is 63. I tell the story of how I was with Grandma in the middle of nowhere driving on vacation when we stopped for gas…. And low and behold someone walked up and asked Aunt Pearl what she was doing there….
The point of talking to people about stories is to recall traditions and to share Life Legacy’s through story telling! I love telling stories about my Grandmother “Aunt Pearl”. The tales and stories that I tell stay alive in true time and in our hearts which in part changed me into who I am. If a storyteller is no longer able to tell the stories anymore to anyone who would listen then those precious gems that are their stories, are forever lost.
- I make “French Pancakes” well my vegan version…. ¼ cup applesauce, 1 tbls vegan mild, 1 tbs flour (multiply this by 3 for more)
- I try to remember everyone’s dates: birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, though I must admit I’m failing at this and I can not follow in grandmas foot steps with her little black book (with years of dates names etc.)
- I remind myself and others to be YOU and no one else by being respectful of others decisions and opinions.
Today I celebrate my grandmas BIRTHDAY like I do EVERY YEAR with the hopes that her traditions, theories, and her brilliant and amazing inspirations will last on.
In honor of grandma’s birthday today I take the time to remind, not only myself, but others that we don’t often know or understand the value of someone/something until it’s gone. In the instance of family stories, “too late” happens all the time, death is inevitable.
Listen to the stories, allow the legacies to be built and enjoy all the lessons learned…. Who knows you might find yourself a better version of you because of it!
Thanks, Grandma, for being you and for allowing me to find me, despite my purple hair and tattoos!
Peace and Happiness!
