What a wonderful story. Anyone can grieve for the loss of someone they cannot see any more, but there can be no sorrow for someone who stored up 107 good years, to say nothing of the great-great-grandchildren. Both you and she seem to have had no doubts over where she is going, so she needs no words of mine, but for you, Baker, “the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace”.
I want to thank everyone for their kind words and blessings. It’s been a strange day so far. When I got the call in the wee small hours of the morning I went ahead and got up, took care of some email, and wrote that post. Then I went in to work for a little over three hours, leaving before 7:00AM so I could be available to my mom for whatever might be needed.
We got most of the work done clearing out her room at the nursing home, and for anything else we have two more days. My two aunts, her other daughters, were there too, along with my father and sister, so it went fairly quickly. The visitation is on Friday evening, and the funeral is on Saturday. Because of the Tnanksgiving holiday I wouldn’t have been working again until next Monday, after tomorrow. I will go in to work in the early hours again tomorrow, because we have a lot of special orders for pies to fill. I don’t mind really, it’s like what Wierd Al did after his parents died. He said working kept him from crying, before the funeral.
I haven’t cried much yet, and that surprises me. What I’m worried about is the funeral itself, between the emotional music and the group sorrow I’m afraid I’ll lose it and make a spectacle of myself.
When sorting through her stuff I found a folder with information about the grade school and then the high school she attended. It was a small country high school and I saw her graduating picture. And I saw a photo again of her and a girl friend in their high school gym outfits. They were wearing more clothes than many girls wear to class now! That friend eventually became her sister-in-law, marrying Grandma’s brother.
I, along with my two younger sisters, watched the moon landing at my grandparent’s house. Think of it, from Kitty Hawk to the moon in one lifetime.
Love your people while you have them. And again, reading your posts helps.
My thoughts are with you Baker!
I’m sorry for your loss. My great-great aunt was born the same year as she, in June. When we lost her we marvelled, too, at going from Kitty Hawk to the moon in one lifetime.
Be well.
My sympathies, Baker. I’m sure you brought her as much happiness as she brought you.
{{{{Baker and family}}}}
Eternal rest grant unto Esther
May perpetual light shine upon her
May she rest in peace.
Baker, I’m sorry for your troubles. 
My condolences to you and your family.
What a beautiful tribute, Baker. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
My deepest sympathies, Baker, to you and your family. Someone like your grandmother becomes a fixture in life in so many ways, and you were lucky to have her. We tend to say this in these threads, but it really applies here - she sounds like a remarkable woman, with a long life of joyful experiences.
Trust me - if there’s one place you’re allowed to let go, cry, and make a spectacle of yourself, it’s at a close relative’s funeral. Grieve as you feel appropriate, and don’t worry about how it looks. No one else will worry, either.
Peace.
-D/a
I’m so sorry to hear the news.
Our thought are with you and your family.
I’m so sorry, Baker. Your grandmother sounded like a wonderful woman. My thoughts are with you and your family. May you all find peace.
So sorry, Baker. She sounds like she lived an amazing life, and lived it well. The world is a little poorer for losing such an amazing link to the past. Thinking of you and yours.
I’m so sorry, Baker. She sounds like a great lady, and that you were lucky to have her in your life. And cry your eyes out at the funeral if you want; when my granny died a couple years ago, I found out at work and waited to cry on the way home. Which made driving impossible. So bawl your eyes out; your family will understand.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Last year, we celebrated my Great Aunt’s 90th birthday–so not quite as old as your grandmother. One of her friends from high school gave her a card featuring a picture of her at 18 wearing a bathing suit. It was a very classy bathing suit–far less embarrassing than many contemporary suits.
I’m so sorry Baker. Condolences to you and your family.
I love the stories you’ve shared about her. Maybe you can have some of the information and pictures from her school days scanned so that you can share them with family (and with us, of course).
Hugs.
GT
The above link is to my grandmother’s obituary. The picture was taken relatively recently, in the last couple of years or less.
In our family we share pictures a lot and so there’s really no need for me to give them to family, because they all have them!
I think we got it from her, she had tons of photo albums, kept very neatly and all labeled as to date and occasion.
Not like some people who throw snapshots in a box and then have to try and figure out the background!
Baker, so sorry for your loss. My mother was born on your grandma’s 20th birthday! So wonderful that she kept all those photo albums so well for you all. I fear we may be a few years too late in getting my mom to tell us who is who in the boxes of photos and slides that were never even dated in most cases. That in itself is one of the best gifts your Grandma gave you…organized photos! Here’s hoping this Thanksgiving will have many moments of laughter amongst the tears.
I’m so sorry, Baker. I enjoyed reading your tribute very much. What an amazing woman.
Just now found this thread. ** Baker**, my condolences to you and your family. Your grandma was quite a gal.