How much do you know?
Davina
8 Comments
stories.
My Grandma died 10 days ago. While I was in New York at her funeral two weekends ago I was in charge of helping out with pictures for the funeral. As I was looking through all of the pictures I realized that she was once young, in love, happy, excited about the life ahead of her, that she had dreams, plans, and hopes for her life. I wondered how I could have never asked her all of the questions that flooded my mind as I saw so much in her eyes while I thumbed through her memories. I felt like I was looking at wonderful memories that I had come to too late to know what was really going on.
There was a picture of my Grandma, probably just around the time when she married my Grandpa and one of my Grandpa (who died a couple of days before my 12th birthday). I wanted to know how they met, what they first thought of each other when the caught one another's eye, what they did for their first date, and how they knew they had to spend their lives together.
My Grandma in a fur collared coat looking extremely happy...why was she happy? Was the coat new? Did she go somewhere special? Did she buy the coat for an extra special outing?
All of these questions I wanted answers to and I don't know if they are available to me now. What do you not know about your loved ones that you want to know today...not tomorrow...
know.LIFE.
Reader Comments (8)
I thought about those exact same things last year. I called everyone (all living grandparents) and asked for pictures of them, their parents, as young as they could find them, and of my parents from when they were babies through collage. After having my baby I wanted to see where her eyes, nose, & ears had come from. Where did that cute round face come from b\c neither my husband or I have one, and it turned out she looked just like my grandma as a baby. I also asked them to write down their most memorable stories for me. I want to know, and I want my daughter to know that people came before her and lived amazing lives that paved a way for her. THanks for the reminder Davina!
I decided it was about time I write about my family as well. Thanks for the inspiration!
erinjphoto.blogspot.com
I wish I had known whether my grandma preferred Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. I wish I had known how she gathered the strength to pick-up and move on after my grandfather. I wish I had gotten the chance to ask her how she could love so much.
She passed away January 31, 2007. I know that she is always looking out for me, and that she always loved me. I just wish I had known her more deeply.
Miss you Davina-lady. You are one in a million. I am sorry for your loss.
So true!! Thank you for sharing this and the advice.
Beautiful, Davina, just beautiful. I am lucky enough to still have three of my grandparents, but as I'm getting older, so are they. I hope that the physical distance between us won't keep me from seeing them again and learning more about their lives as young souls and young parents- I yearn for the old stories and experiences they had in such different times than what we've come to know. You are truly an inspiration with your family values and love for all things family. Your family is so lucky to have you and your love and documentation. Thank you!
What a beautiful entry! I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I will never forget the day that I had to drive my Grandmother somewhere and I took the opportunity to have that exact conversation with her... How did you and Grandpa meet? Tell me about your first date. etc. I will never forget that. I only wish I had thought to take that opportunity with the other three grandparents that had already passed on. Beautiful reminder my friend :)
Thank you everyone for your very sweet thoughts. I'm so grateful that you are all taking the opportunity where you can to find out the little things, the stories that are the history of your life.
Erin, what a gift.
Melissa, I'm so sorry about your loss as well. I completely know what you mean. I so wish I would have taken the time to know my Grandma more deeply.
Laurel, I think you're in for some wonderful times ahead of you and some pretty great stories and andectdotes. What a blessing for you.
Amy, time with your Grandma to find out all of those sweet moments must have been such a beautiful gift for you.
All of you women are wonderful. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I am blessed.
Sorry ladies, that last comment was actually by me! lol. Davina