We all have grandmothers. Some were gone before we came and some we never saw, and others, if you are lucky, show you the deep love of age and wisdom. I am one of the lucky ones. My grandma died today at the age of 90. While not a surprise, it is still hard to know she is no longer here, that Gage will probably not remember her.
She was the second oldest of 9 and mother of 6 (all of which she had in a 10 year pear period). She married my grandfather when she was 19 and he built her a house up the street from his family (he was the oldest of 12) where they lived their lives together. And when I say he built her a house that’s what I mean, handmade with love, no contractors or shortcuts. My grandfather died in 1992 and my grandmother never considered another man. Her life was full of family and church.
She was a strong woman full of unshakeable faith in God and was generous to a fault. Her door was always open (and if it wasn’t everyone in the world knew where to find the key) to anyone who wanted to talk or was in need. She was a formidable woman and the older I got the more I appreciated the authentic and full life she lived. It was and is inspiring. Family came first, but she never met a stranger and she kept her mind sharp over the years with crossword puzzles and chronicling her life for her kids and grandkids. And she received all of the love she gave out ten-fold at the end of her life. In hospice care for a year and a half, three meals a day were fed to her by her children or grandchildren and she was not ever alone in the days before her death, with the family holding vigil for her.
She instilled a love of family and God in her children that will be seen for many, many generations to come. She was a rock. She was love and faith. She was my grandmother and I will miss her.
I love photo of Gage meeting his great-grandma for the first time.
Stacy's Books 
Your words and the photo of newborn Gage and his great-grandma made me cry! Truly lovely, Stacy.
Oh Stacy, I read this with tears in my eyes. What a lovely tribute to your grandmother! I’m sorry for your loss – I know you will miss her.
What a sweet post, and a great photo. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. A beautiful rememberance of her.
As a grandparent whose oldest grandchild is only 8, I hope that, someday, my grandchildren will feel the same way about me as you do about your grandmother. What a nice testimonial.
Beautiful.
I’m so sorry for your loss! What a beautiful post, and a beautiful picture to go with it!
Such a beautiful photo and post, Stacy. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am glad my husband’s grandmother had the chance to meet Mouse over Thanksgiving. We hopefully will see her again this summer, but her health is failing. Mouse will likely never meet my own grandmother, my dad’s mom who is still living. It makes me sad to think it, but she lives on the other side of the country and getting there is too much of a hurdle for us right now.
I am sure it meant the world to your grandmother to get to know Gage. My thoughts are with you and your family, Stacy.
Beautiful! You will miss her…But you will always have what she gave to you…
A beautiful tribute! Sending a hug your way.
We should all be remembered so warmly.
What a lovely tribute to your grandmother! She sounds like such a wonderful person and I know you will miss her, Stacy. I’m so sorry that she is gone, but I know she is in that better place for her deserved rest. Hugs to you and I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Wonderful tribute on a remarkable life.
I know words are not enough but I’m so very sorry for your loss. This is a lovely tribute to your grandmother and she sounds like a very special woman. Gage may not remember her as he gets older but he was still a part of her life and he will always have your wonderful memories and photos to treasure. She has left an amazing legacy.
My grandma is 94 and I lost my other grandma last year at the same age. I have been very lucky to have them so long. As a new grandma myself I can only hope that I will always be special in the eyes of my grandchildren.
Hugs and prayers to you, Stacy.
This a beautiful post, Stacy and such a heartfelt tribute to your Grandma. I hope you show it to Gage one day. It’s such a blessing she met him and left her mark on his heart.
I’m Thinking of you and your family today.
What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. I’m sorry for your loss. That’s a wonderful picture, certainly one to cherish.
So sorry to hear about your loss. She sounds like an amazing woman and I know her memories and strength of character will live on through you and your son and the rest of the family. I’ll be praying for you…
That was Beautiful!!!!
What a wonderful tribute to your Grandmother, Stacy–beautifully written!! I’m sorry for your loss, but happy that you obviously had such a wonderful relationship with her–and I’m sure that you were as special to her as she was to you.
What a wonderful photo of Gage looking into Great-Grandma’s eyes. I’m sorry for your loss, Stacy.
Beautiful. I’m so glad you had many great years with your grandmother. She will love on in the hearts of those who knew for a very long time. Hugs.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Stacy. A beautiful ode to someone who was obviously a lovely person. Beautiful photo of her and Gage. That’s something you and him will cherish. *hugs*
I am so sorry for your loss Stacy. This is a beautiful tribute. Grandmoms are such special people. Like second moms.
What a beautiful tribute to your Grandma, Stacy. I’m crying but it’s all good because I consider you blessed to have had such a strong, loving, and gracious woman in your life. I had that too and the tears are because I understand your pain at the loss of this person who meant so much to you. That picture speaks volumes!
This was so beautifully written and lovely tribute to a very special woman. You were blessed to have such a strong and wonderful role model in your life. I’m sorry for your loss, but I know the folks in heaven are gald she’s with them now. Hugs to you
Oh Stacy–I’m sitting here crying at my desk for you. What a beautiful post–I can feel the love you have for your grandmother. Mine is 86 and I try not to think about the day when she’s no longer here. I so want my kids to know her! Hugs.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Stacy. What a special picture of her and Gage.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I hope you treasure your memories of her in the years to come. Such a sweet, sweet photo!
Oh Stacy, what a beautiful tribute to your grandmother, she sounds very special, I miss my darling gran very much. That’s such a beautiful photo of Gage and his great grandmother, you have so many wonderful memories to hold close. Hugs
Sorry for your loss but she will live on through you and Gage will know of her because of you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I still miss my grandma’s every day. They both passed away in 2009. It’s hard for me that Isla will never know them.
I am so sorry for your loss. I miss my nana every day but thankfully my grandmother is still here. Gage will get to know her through stories you tell and memories you share. Big hugs.