Monday, March 10, 2008
Anne's thoughts
Grandma taught me to love poetry before I learned to hate it and learned to love it again, and she had no idea. I couldn't have been more than 10, and I loved to look through all the books on her bookshelf. One little book, a battered little thing with ugly woodcut drawings for pictures, came to continually fascinate me. It was Francis Thompson's "Hound of Heaven," and I loved the words without understanding them, read them over and over, tried to trace them in my memory. Little did I know how this poem would capture my relationship with God and that I needed to live the words to understand them. Grandma noticed my fascination with the book one day and told me to keep it. I didn't understand the importance of the event until later and she didn't realize the depth of this interchange, either. But that was her. She gave without manipulating the results.
Beth's thoughts
It is hard for me to pick a single story that can in any way summarize the relationship that I had with Grandma. It was the little things that always made me feel special. Grandma made me feel loved every time that I spoke with her and saw her. She knew just what to say to make me feel like I was succeeding, no matter how much I struggled with what to do with my life. She always told me that she loved me, was glad I was happy, and most of all, that she was proud of everything that I did. I always knew how much she loved me, because Grandma made a point of telling me that every time she got the chance.
Beth Carpenter
Beth Carpenter
Patrick's thoughts
"Draw What You See"
I’ll never forget my confusion upon reading that quote. While I appreciated the sketchbook that my grandmother had given me, I couldn’t understand the meaning behind those words. Wasn’t art supposed to be about imagination- the projection of dreams onto an otherwise uninteresting reality? Nevertheless, I followed the advice of my artistic mentor and began to replicate everyday objects on the blank pages of my book. Although my days as a young artist have long since past, the lessons my grandmother imparted to me continue to reside in my heart. Now, as I reflect on those days, I think I have a better sense of what she meant by "Draw What You See." Art, in its purest form, is about seeing the beauty in all things- even the seemingly mundane. It was this skill that made my grandma who she was- a gifted artist, but more importantly, a loving human being.
I’ll never forget my confusion upon reading that quote. While I appreciated the sketchbook that my grandmother had given me, I couldn’t understand the meaning behind those words. Wasn’t art supposed to be about imagination- the projection of dreams onto an otherwise uninteresting reality? Nevertheless, I followed the advice of my artistic mentor and began to replicate everyday objects on the blank pages of my book. Although my days as a young artist have long since past, the lessons my grandmother imparted to me continue to reside in my heart. Now, as I reflect on those days, I think I have a better sense of what she meant by "Draw What You See." Art, in its purest form, is about seeing the beauty in all things- even the seemingly mundane. It was this skill that made my grandma who she was- a gifted artist, but more importantly, a loving human being.
Sara's thoughts
I have so many memories and lessons learned from Grandma. I looked up to her, admired her and just loved being in her company. I could tell lots of great stories, but I’m going to share just two of my favorite.
Red Rose Tea
I will always associate Red Rose Tea with Grandma. When I was about 10 years old, I started going to my Grandma’s house on Saturday mornings. She was working at the time, so Saturday was cleaning day, and I would come help. We would chat all the while we were dusting, washing floors and doing dishes. Then, when we needed a break, Grandma would make Red Rose Tea and we would sit by the fireplace drinking tea out of pretty tea cups. That image of us sitting in front of the fireplace drinking tea is one of the images that come to my mind whenever I think of her.
Sleepovers with my "Cool Grandma"
My best friend growing up in Crystal Lake was Megan. She was like another member of my family. And, we loved having sleepovers at Grandma’s house. Grandma got right into it like she was a teenage girl, too. We’d watch movies and eat junk food and laugh. One particular night, she had let us pick the movie to rent and we chose Silence of the Lambs. I remember Grandma looking at it and saying, "I like Anthony Hopkins. He’s a good actor, so I’ll bet this is good." Little did she realize that she would be curled up on the side of her bed, peeking over the edge, shocked at the gruesome movie. She watched the whole thing, though. She kept saying, "I’m a cool Grandma. I can handle this!" She sure was!!
So much of who she has been has shaped the kind of person that I want to be. She was an individual. She was a wife, a mother, an artist, an entrepreneur, a student, a teacher, a volunteer and more.
Sara Burhans
Red Rose Tea
I will always associate Red Rose Tea with Grandma. When I was about 10 years old, I started going to my Grandma’s house on Saturday mornings. She was working at the time, so Saturday was cleaning day, and I would come help. We would chat all the while we were dusting, washing floors and doing dishes. Then, when we needed a break, Grandma would make Red Rose Tea and we would sit by the fireplace drinking tea out of pretty tea cups. That image of us sitting in front of the fireplace drinking tea is one of the images that come to my mind whenever I think of her.
Sleepovers with my "Cool Grandma"
My best friend growing up in Crystal Lake was Megan. She was like another member of my family. And, we loved having sleepovers at Grandma’s house. Grandma got right into it like she was a teenage girl, too. We’d watch movies and eat junk food and laugh. One particular night, she had let us pick the movie to rent and we chose Silence of the Lambs. I remember Grandma looking at it and saying, "I like Anthony Hopkins. He’s a good actor, so I’ll bet this is good." Little did she realize that she would be curled up on the side of her bed, peeking over the edge, shocked at the gruesome movie. She watched the whole thing, though. She kept saying, "I’m a cool Grandma. I can handle this!" She sure was!!
So much of who she has been has shaped the kind of person that I want to be. She was an individual. She was a wife, a mother, an artist, an entrepreneur, a student, a teacher, a volunteer and more.
Sara Burhans
Thursday, March 6, 2008
love
"i understand love better today than i did when i married him."
my journey with grandma has had so many wonderful turns. we travelled in europe (and fought like sisters). she taught me to knit. she encouraged me to quit a job that was, as she said, sucking the life out of me. she often told me to "put on my patience pants". she instilled in me a love of peanut butter. we would sit together and talk about faith, and come up with ways to get grandpa to take us out on the pontoon boat.
but the most significant thing we ever talked about was love. she knew me. she knew what i needed to hear, and she took the time to say it. several years ago she told me that her biggest prayer for me was that i would "get drunk and fall in love". if you knew her, you could hear those things coming out of her mouth. what she wanted for me, more than anything, was to stop overthinking and truly enjoy the journey of falling in love. she told me, "dating should be fun, not such hard work". those are words i've come to live by.
but i know love more true because of the relationship that grandma and grandpa have had. just this last summer we had a long talk, on one of our trips to town, about how much her love for grandpa has grown through all of these years. they definitely had their hard times, but in her last year of life, she grew to know love better because of her relationship with him. i will never forget the "jule" or the "neal" being yelled across the living room. but i will also never forget that she often called him her boyfriend, and he often called her sweetheart. as a testimony to the way she lived life and grew as a person, she told me that at 75, she understood love better than she ever had before.
i hope that i will grow to be just like her. i hope that i will grow to love the way she did.
my journey with grandma has had so many wonderful turns. we travelled in europe (and fought like sisters). she taught me to knit. she encouraged me to quit a job that was, as she said, sucking the life out of me. she often told me to "put on my patience pants". she instilled in me a love of peanut butter. we would sit together and talk about faith, and come up with ways to get grandpa to take us out on the pontoon boat.
but the most significant thing we ever talked about was love. she knew me. she knew what i needed to hear, and she took the time to say it. several years ago she told me that her biggest prayer for me was that i would "get drunk and fall in love". if you knew her, you could hear those things coming out of her mouth. what she wanted for me, more than anything, was to stop overthinking and truly enjoy the journey of falling in love. she told me, "dating should be fun, not such hard work". those are words i've come to live by.
but i know love more true because of the relationship that grandma and grandpa have had. just this last summer we had a long talk, on one of our trips to town, about how much her love for grandpa has grown through all of these years. they definitely had their hard times, but in her last year of life, she grew to know love better because of her relationship with him. i will never forget the "jule" or the "neal" being yelled across the living room. but i will also never forget that she often called him her boyfriend, and he often called her sweetheart. as a testimony to the way she lived life and grew as a person, she told me that at 75, she understood love better than she ever had before.
i hope that i will grow to be just like her. i hope that i will grow to love the way she did.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A new journey
I have been silent on this blog for awhile, but as Sara and I were discussing compiling memories of Grandma, I thought this would be another place to collect them so that others, near and far, could read each other's stories.
I have so many stories, that only one story doesn't seem appropriate, but I will get to that later.
For now, I thought I would share a few stories of what the last two weeks have been like for me. Each of us has had our different experience with Grandma as she has been on hospice care. I have had the privilege of staying with her several different nights, and many different days. There have been moments of complete joy and others of deep sadness. She has managed to, even in all her pain, make me laugh at her sillyness. Those are the moments I will cherish. Her most common phrase has been "Come on. Let's go." with both hands stretched out, looking for someone to get her out of that bed, she has things to do! :) In her frustration she has said some things, especially to Grandpa, that though they were tough, we also funny. Monday morning she told Grandpa she was going to call the police and start a riot if he didn't get her out of that bed.
But there have been times of peace when I could just sit there and hold her hand. I will never forget how soft her skin is or how beautiful her fingernails have remained. She has occassionally mumbled her prayers; most often it has been the Hail Mary. She has said thank you very much and even the occassional, "I love you." I have watched her kiss Grandpa at night, in the morning, and as he left for work. His love for her is the most tender thing I have ever experienced. Their love is a testimony to me, and I know I will live by their example.
I have so many stories, that only one story doesn't seem appropriate, but I will get to that later.
For now, I thought I would share a few stories of what the last two weeks have been like for me. Each of us has had our different experience with Grandma as she has been on hospice care. I have had the privilege of staying with her several different nights, and many different days. There have been moments of complete joy and others of deep sadness. She has managed to, even in all her pain, make me laugh at her sillyness. Those are the moments I will cherish. Her most common phrase has been "Come on. Let's go." with both hands stretched out, looking for someone to get her out of that bed, she has things to do! :) In her frustration she has said some things, especially to Grandpa, that though they were tough, we also funny. Monday morning she told Grandpa she was going to call the police and start a riot if he didn't get her out of that bed.
But there have been times of peace when I could just sit there and hold her hand. I will never forget how soft her skin is or how beautiful her fingernails have remained. She has occassionally mumbled her prayers; most often it has been the Hail Mary. She has said thank you very much and even the occassional, "I love you." I have watched her kiss Grandpa at night, in the morning, and as he left for work. His love for her is the most tender thing I have ever experienced. Their love is a testimony to me, and I know I will live by their example.
Another email I found (written 5/14/07)
Julie"s Journey
Dear Friends and loved ones.
The following is a brief update on what is going on with my health issues.
Not a great deal has changed as far as treatment is concerned. I go for my chemo injections once per week and they follow with injections of Nupigen for three days in a row. The Nupigen is supposed to build my whte blood cells to help finght infections so I can go on hugging all of you and not get sick. Good plan.
Received some good news and that is that the cancer has stabilized. It seems that there is so many more things that they can do for cancer these days so I look forward to more and more positive results.
The only thing I have problems with are the side affects of the chemo treatments. Someone told me that the side affects are worse that the desease. I belive it.
For those I haven’t seen lately..............I miss you very much.
I am trying to get out and kind of "reclaim" my life again so some of you I have seen.
I love you all. Thanks for the prayers.
Julie
Dear Friends and loved ones.
The following is a brief update on what is going on with my health issues.
Not a great deal has changed as far as treatment is concerned. I go for my chemo injections once per week and they follow with injections of Nupigen for three days in a row. The Nupigen is supposed to build my whte blood cells to help finght infections so I can go on hugging all of you and not get sick. Good plan.
Received some good news and that is that the cancer has stabilized. It seems that there is so many more things that they can do for cancer these days so I look forward to more and more positive results.
The only thing I have problems with are the side affects of the chemo treatments. Someone told me that the side affects are worse that the desease. I belive it.
For those I haven’t seen lately..............I miss you very much.
I am trying to get out and kind of "reclaim" my life again so some of you I have seen.
I love you all. Thanks for the prayers.
Julie
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