knitting doesn’t help
Aunt Nan, Grandpa (Gpa), my mom
(May 2004)
The cool rainy days of October have been passing by the last two weeks without notice. All of a sudden the leaves are turning and I’ve been thinking where have I been that I’ve missed this last two weeks. As the leaves fall and the earth prepares itself for a long winter, so too have our feelings for two family members we’ve lost in the last two weeks. My aunt died on October 12 after a four-year battle with cancer. She passed on peacefully with my mother by her side. We all traveled to Kansas City for the memorial services. The Birds of Paradise in one of the flower arrangements seemed so fitting for a woman who traveled all over the world, visiting more than 30 countries in 30 years, and loved visiting the most exotic and out of the way places.
My grandfather, who had also been battling cancer for a few months, also passed away just six days after his younger daughter. We truly believe that he waited to know that his daughter had passed on safely and that it was his time to go. Bryan, my mom and I were with him until the end. It’s truly been a time of reflection and wonderful memories. As Bryan and I went through photos at my grandfather’s house, memories of being a kid living in western Kansas came flooding back — dance recitals and performances that my sister gave in my grandparents’ living room, most of which are captured on video tape, memories of riding our bikes up and down the street with our neighbor friend and the joys of visiting the local library. My grandfather so loved the local library that when I visited this past summer, he made sure that we visited the library. It was a real treat and we know the library staff will miss him too.
We lost two wonderful people in our family but the heavens have gained two beautiful souls who are traveling extensively in first class. My aunt is traveling to every country she couldn’t physically visit while she was alive and my grandfather is zooming around in his heavenly Airstream to far off places.
Elspeth said,
October 26, 2007 @ 11:56 am
How sad, I’m sorry to hear that.
megan said,
October 26, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
i’m so sorry, E.
Bess said,
October 27, 2007 @ 3:36 am
Just holding you in my heart these days. I hope your GrandDad and Aunt are getting to meet my in-laws in that good place.
Erin said,
October 27, 2007 @ 6:51 am
That was a beautiful post. I’m sure they both read it (or were there when you wrote it) and appreciate the loving words you wrote of them. You’re in my thoughts Erica. If you need anything, just ask.
Lolly said,
October 27, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
I am so very sorry - please know that I am thinking about you and your family.
Sarah said,
October 30, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
You and your family will have two more wonderful angels watching over you now!
Felicia said,
October 30, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss.