That's how I describe this past week. Bitter sweet. My grandmother passed away on Monday. It was sad to know that cancer took her; hard to say how much longer she'd have lived beyond her 91 years had she not been a victim to such an ugly disease. And so the heartbreak weighed us down until family started arriving on Tuesday. From Massachusetts, Maryland and Florida. Then heartbreak turned into a celebration of my grandmother, a chance to catch up with family I've not seen for a decade or more. The weather here is kissed with Fall; the burial overlooking the city of Atlanta, high on a hill at
historic Crestlawn Cemetery, was quiet, sunny and breezy, a perfect ending to a busy two days of arriving family and then the emotional viewing. The crucifix above, a wedding gift to my grandparents, now hangs in my foyer. I've always loved it and remember it hanging in my grandparents three-story brick row house in Baltimore.
I said goodbye to my sister Beth and Harleigh on Saturday and filled my afternoon with lazying about and crafts. I've been wanting to frame a vintage Florida map, but haven't wanted to pay for custom framing. So armed with the map measurements (and a tape measure that always goes with me), I check thrift store frames, hoping to find one that might fit. Well, I found one the other day. It's a little small (I've lost the FL on FLORIDA), but it works. And for $12, it is what it is. Now hangs in my bedroom.
That's how I describe this past week. Bitter sweet. My grandmother passed away on Monday. It was sad to know that cancer took her; hard to say how much longer she'd have lived beyond her 91 years had she not been a victim to such an ugly disease. And so the heartbreak weighed us down until family started arriving on Tuesday. From Massachusetts, Maryland and Florida. Then heartbreak turned into a celebration of my grandmother, a chance to catch up with family I've not seen for a decade or more. The weather here is kissed with Fall; the burial overlooking the city of Atlanta, high on a hill at historic Crestlawn Cemetery, was quiet, sunny and breezy, a perfect ending to a busy two days of arriving family and then the emotional viewing. The crucifix above, a wedding gift to my grandparents, now hangs in my foyer. I've always loved it and remember it hanging in my grandparents three-story brick row house in Baltimore. 
I said goodbye to my sister Beth and Harleigh on Saturday and filled my afternoon with lazying about and crafts. I've been wanting to frame a vintage Florida map, but haven't wanted to pay for custom framing. So armed with the map measurements (and a tape measure that always goes with me), I check thrift store frames, hoping to find one that might fit. Well, I found one the other day. It's a little small (I've lost the FL on FLORIDA), but it works. And for $12, it is what it is. Now hangs in my bedroom.
Grandma would be very pleased, I'm sure, that you hung the crucifix in such a place of honor.
ReplyDeleteAs for the map, we all know it's Florida, even without the FL.
Oh Dawn! I am so sorry to hear about your sweet Grandma. I remember your posts about visiting her in the nursing home. And 91 years old...she saw so many things in her life...didn't she? :) My grandma also passed away a couple weeks ago. How blessed you and I are that we had them for so much of our lives. In our hearts they will always be. :) Hugs, Shann
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your Grandmother's passing. Grandmother's are so precious, and I'm sure yours was very loved by you. Beautiful crucifix, which has and will bring you many blessings.
((Hugs))
Maureen
I'm sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing, Dawn. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
Dawn and Harleigh,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your grandmother's passing. The one thing you will always have are the memories of your time together.
Bless you both,
Gretchen