In some sad news, I lost my amazing grandmother last week.After a difficult struggle with age and genetics, she left this world as Gracefully as she inhabited it for the last 85 years.
She was an amazing woman who inspired countless others, a fearless mother to 10 (!!!) and grandmother to 24 (!!!), and as lovely of a person as you could hope to encounter.
(Press Play Now)
Her 65 year romance with my grandfather is one for the ages, and even her departure from him is heart-wrenching beyond Notebook status. Being near them was to be in the presence of true and expansive love.
Along with her commitment to her family and husband, she was a nurse (including during WWII), a world traveler, humanitarian and so much more.
She had the class of Audrey Hepburn and the gumption of Elizabeth Taylor, and I will always use comparisons like that because even into her older age, she embodied the appearance, elegance and qualities of a classic movie star.
Together, she and my grandfather influenced 3 generations of their family, along with countless other people in their lives, in so many ways.
From engraving in all of us a love of art, travel and education, to giving us the courage to believe in ourselves, she instilled in us the tools to be ourselves to the best and bravest of our abilities.
Here are just some of the things I learned from this amazing woman:
- Never eat something messy on a first date.
- Travel as much as you can & to as many places as possible, and while you're there, learn everything you can from the people who live there.
- Never let anyone ever bully you.
- Style is more than what you wear, it's how you carry yourself.
- The only people who know what happens in a relationship are the people in it.
- It is our human responsibility to help those less fortunate than we.
- NEVER stop learning.
- ALWAYS write thank you notes.
- Never settle for anything less than true love.
- Rise above the pettiness of those around you.
- NEVER stop learning.
- ALWAYS write thank you notes.
- Never settle for anything less than true love. - Rise above the pettiness of those around you.
- There is great pride in taking care of others.
- Beauty comes from within.
- Beauty comes from within.
- Behaving like a lady doesn't mean abandoning any of your strength or confidence.
- Hostessing is a true art form.
- Hostessing is a true art form.
- Know how and when to say no.
- Don't always wear black.
- Stay true to your beliefs and don't ever let external factors make them waver.
- Forgive.
- Contribute.
- Be gracious, graceful and grateful.
- Forgive.
- Contribute.
- Be gracious, graceful and grateful.
- In a relationship, always be there for your partner, but independence is valuable too.
- Confidence is the best accessory you can have. (But a little lipstick never hurts.)
- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
- There is something to be learned from every situation.
- Honesty is the best policy.
- Stand up for yourself.
- Be Kind.
- Remember who you are
All my love to you, Grandmere. Thank you for everything.
Sweet Tarreyn, what a moving tribute to your grandmama. Steve and I both send you more love than you can know. Wish my grandmothers had taught me an ounce as much! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Caroline! She was definitely an amazing lady! Love you both loads!!! Xoxoxo
Delete