The following is a note that Aunt Laurie found in her stash recently and gave out copies at the mass that was said for Grandma a few weekends ago. It seems that Grandma wrote it after Christmas one year when Jerry and Patrick were little.
____________________________
This business of words whether written or said,
is not very simple and they're stuffed in my head.
If I want them to do a good job and make clear,
our feelings and thoughts for the ones we hold dear.
I'll take time and weigh carefully each one, every word,
and make sure they're the ones that I want to be heard.
"Our Christmas was Great," says this pair of antiques,
this couple of sixties, whose joints always squeak.
Our dreams are much different more different each day,
"you'll know when your older," grown up all the way.
Telephones shared and trying some way,
to bring others home if for only one day.
Boomerangs, beer mugs, and trillions of toy and out in
the snow two rosy cheeked boys.
My annual heart to heart chat with our Chris,
Bob's box of goodies, some cheddar some swiss.
Our guest who's much taller, now looking back,
who must love us a lot cause she always comes back.
A whoop and a holler from the game watching guys,
some singing, some jigging, some tears in our eyes.
And a new Mrs. Santa, charmed the room as she sat,
and Santa got taller instead of more fat.
Vision of sugar plums are no longer needed,
Our Garden of Dreams is now thoroughly weeded.
Thanks for our Christmas, you loved ones where ever,
From a couple old elves who'll love you forever!
Love, Mom + Dad
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Visiting Grandpa
Hours and hours of political news shows and the conversation is bound to come up.
See Annabelle and I just returned from a whirlwind trip to see Grandpa. A few highlights? Grandpa sitting on the floor with Annabelle multiple times even though he knew it was difficult for him to get back up. When I offered to help him, he said "when I can no longer get up from the floor by myself, I won't get down there." And I always forget about his sweet tooth. I doubt the muffins I left will make it past tomorrow (maybe because he kept calling them cupcakes, which would give anyone reason to eat them at any time of day).
My visits with Grandpa are never filled with lots of things to do, but good ol' fashioned relaxing. He talked about how much he looks forward to summer, Patrick getting married next summer, how proud he is at the success of each of his children, and always a little about Grandma.
But today, there was plenty of political news to keep us interested. Wisconsin is in the middle of serious political turmoil, and grandpa and I are not on the same team. We talked about Muslim radicals, and how he says he's seen every new ethnic group in America go through the scrutiny. First the Italians, then the Irish, and so on. He has a strong dislike for Lindsay Lohan. And he admitted he watched Fox news because the women on that channel are the most attractive.
He then pondered aloud how these women could be so beautiful AND smart. I left that one alone.
And then he brought up social security and Medicare. Things I truly haven't thought that much about. But his ability to articulate the issue was uncanny and I took the time to put aside any small thoughts I might have and just listen. We may not always agree, but, to be entirely honest, he is probably more educated and wise on so many of these topics.
See Annabelle and I just returned from a whirlwind trip to see Grandpa. A few highlights? Grandpa sitting on the floor with Annabelle multiple times even though he knew it was difficult for him to get back up. When I offered to help him, he said "when I can no longer get up from the floor by myself, I won't get down there." And I always forget about his sweet tooth. I doubt the muffins I left will make it past tomorrow (maybe because he kept calling them cupcakes, which would give anyone reason to eat them at any time of day).
My visits with Grandpa are never filled with lots of things to do, but good ol' fashioned relaxing. He talked about how much he looks forward to summer, Patrick getting married next summer, how proud he is at the success of each of his children, and always a little about Grandma.
But today, there was plenty of political news to keep us interested. Wisconsin is in the middle of serious political turmoil, and grandpa and I are not on the same team. We talked about Muslim radicals, and how he says he's seen every new ethnic group in America go through the scrutiny. First the Italians, then the Irish, and so on. He has a strong dislike for Lindsay Lohan. And he admitted he watched Fox news because the women on that channel are the most attractive.
He then pondered aloud how these women could be so beautiful AND smart. I left that one alone.
And then he brought up social security and Medicare. Things I truly haven't thought that much about. But his ability to articulate the issue was uncanny and I took the time to put aside any small thoughts I might have and just listen. We may not always agree, but, to be entirely honest, he is probably more educated and wise on so many of these topics.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
anniversary
it seems odd to honor the anniversary of someone's death. grandma would probably think i was nuts. but as i looked back over the several posts made here around her death, i sit back and reminisce. she was a great friend. a friend i could use more than ever now.
she would have loved her. my annabelle. they would have been fast friends, even at the age of 8 months. it seems silly to somehow think about it, but it's true. i can almost picture them together. before she was born, grandma would have taken me to the yarn store to pick out yarn to make something cozy for her. then we would have gone to the italian coffee shop down the street, or for burgers at Fred's. and when annabelle was born, she would have kissed her little face and talked to her and told her how loved she was. and then we would have gone to love inc and picked out some things for her, while grandma introduced her to every person she had ever known, and even to people she didn't. i don't know how, but some way i will impart that love on my daughter.
i have an incredible legacy of women. my grandmother was the most uniquely loving person i know. she made everyone feel special and different and lovely. my mother is the most giving and wise woman i know. i trust her more than any other person, and rest comfortably in her words and love.
may i be that woman. myself, and yet with the beautiful characteristics of the women who have paved the way before me. and though i've said it before, it is worth repeating. annabelle is the most blessed little girl to have these women go before her.
she would have loved her. my annabelle. they would have been fast friends, even at the age of 8 months. it seems silly to somehow think about it, but it's true. i can almost picture them together. before she was born, grandma would have taken me to the yarn store to pick out yarn to make something cozy for her. then we would have gone to the italian coffee shop down the street, or for burgers at Fred's. and when annabelle was born, she would have kissed her little face and talked to her and told her how loved she was. and then we would have gone to love inc and picked out some things for her, while grandma introduced her to every person she had ever known, and even to people she didn't. i don't know how, but some way i will impart that love on my daughter.
i have an incredible legacy of women. my grandmother was the most uniquely loving person i know. she made everyone feel special and different and lovely. my mother is the most giving and wise woman i know. i trust her more than any other person, and rest comfortably in her words and love.
may i be that woman. myself, and yet with the beautiful characteristics of the women who have paved the way before me. and though i've said it before, it is worth repeating. annabelle is the most blessed little girl to have these women go before her.
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