Remembering My Grandmother During The Holidays

It's funny how it happens. You are running around, buying gifts, going to parties and the holiday is a  blur. It's hard to remember to slow down and enjoy it.

My Grandmommie was Christmas crazy. Her tree always looked amazing. He house seemed like a swiss chalet at holiday time. When her packages would arrive to my parents house we could not believe our eyes. She would painstakingly wrap every gift in a different paper, with a fabulous bow and trinket tied to the top. She loved Christmas. In the hustle and bustle I hadn't remembered that, until I heard the blinker on my car.

I had turned off the radio, to have a quite moment in the car by myself. I needed a little sanity break in my car. I put on my blinker to signal a left turn and heard the melodic tune. It brought me right back to being in the car with my Grandmother.

I loved spending time with Grandmommie alone. We would often go off and do things together, like two girlfriends. I always loved the sound of the blinker in her car. It was like a little song. I loved to watch her hands on the steering wheel so delicate and lady like. I would go anywhere with her, just being with her was a treat. I was only too proud to take a trip to a gallery selling her art. Or to see her working on a painting at home in her studio. She was a mystery. loved growing up that close to an artist. It made me love the creative process and respect people with artistic ability. I looked up to her as a big sister, I adored her like a mother, and I respected her as my Grandmother. She was everything to me.

Back in my car, hearing my own blinker I had tears in my eyes as I remembered my Grandmommie. It reminds me to stop and enjoy all the people in my life that inspire me and that I love. Is there someone you are missing this holiday? Tell me about them.

9 comments:

Jen said...

What a fabulous post!!!

Suburban prep said...

What a lovely posting to a dear person in your life.
Like you my grandmother was very special to me. I don't really remember my mother's mother unfortunately but my father's mother lived until she was almost 98 yrs old. She was a very special person in my life and I am thrilled that she lived long enough to know that I was getting married and that she got to know my husband.

Unknown said...

Of course I miss my mom who we lost a year ago September and also my Grandpa who we just lost this fall. They were a couple of the best people you'd ever want to meet, like two peas in a pod. This year is better than last year's Christmas, but I do miss them terribly. I also miss my Dad, and sister and niece. They are in the midwest and I was supposed to see them this past weekend but that terrible storm cancelled our plans. I'm incredibly grateful for Mr. Beachy. This is our first "married" Christmas and I'm very happy about that.

Sandra said...

Thanks Mrs. Fabulous for this post. Yes, I miss my husband. Wonderful memories of happy times are very sustaining, don't you agree? Merry Christmas sweetie. xoxo

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

What a beautiful, moving post. Every time I hear "Merry Christmas, Darling" by the Carpenters, I always think of my friends whose husbands are in the military. My best friend's husband is an army chaplain and this is their first Christmas apart. (They have 5 kids.)

I often think back about making Christmas treats with my Grandma Gigi. She has severe Alzheimers now. She taught me all the traditions I now share with my children.

Thank you for this post:) It reminded me to stop for a moment and think about my loved ones who aren't with me this year...easy to do when you're caught up in the rush of the holidays...

Claire said...

Thank you for writing this - too many memories to write about right now - I've just been sitting here after reading this thinking about my dear people who I miss so very much.

Bridget said...

Sweet post - loved it so much :) Merry Christmas OFM xoxo

Always Organizing said...

OFM, this post brought tears to my eyes. I miss my mom at Christmastime. She has been gone 15 years and I often think about all the things she has missed over those years. She was such a hoot. I remember as a kid she would always say "do you hear those jingle bells?" and my sister and I would go running to the window as fast as possible to catch a glimpse of Santa...

Mrs. Kindergarten...aka...Madame Spoiled said...

How dear. This is the first Christmas without my Daddy. He has been gone for 5 months. In all honesty, I still can't believe it. I shall keep my chin up and make my Mama happy! That is what is most important for me this year.

Love,
Mrs. Kindergarten