Sunday, September 14, 2014

Remembering Gracie

Today my MIL Gracie would have been 96 years young.  She passed away just six short months ago.  It is hard to believe she is not coming over for dinner, calling on the phone or even sitting on the sofa cheering the Packers when they play.  She was a bit forgetful towards the end, but she was a fighter and really fought to live until her very last breath.  I miss her.  When she passed away we received some lovely things that were in her room, I have not posted about them before so I thought this would be a good day.


Her cane hangs on the hall-tree right by my front entryway and next to my bedroom.
 

Gracie's grandfather made this table.  He was a carpenter and this table is exquisite.  Even the wheels are wood.  We think this was made in the late 1800's.  


The detail is quite amazing.

He also created this chair.  I am not sure who did the needlework on it maybe Gracie's Grandmother?  It is a very fragile piece so we keep it off the beaten path in our house.  On the chair is the wrap I made for Gracie for her 95th birthday.  She loved it over her shoulders as she was often chilly in the last few years of her life.

Everyday I wear the simple silver ring she had on when she died, on a beaded crochet necklace.  I feel like she is there with me, next to my heart and it makes me feel close to her.
 

Gracie had an adventurous spirit and lived a very full life.  She fought for peace and equality and loved her family with a fieriness. 


She was proud of these boys of mine, and they ADORED her.  She always met them at their level and celebrated each and every accomplishment they had and was always there to give encouragement when needed.

Gracie was so excited Little Buddy came into our life.  She loved watching him play, and even though she could not get down on the floor with him she gave him so much attention.   He still asks about her which I think is amazing.


I miss these hands, hands that have worked hard, loved hard and helped to create such a better life for so many.

I miss her smile, her giggle and her sense of humor.  I still want to be like Gracie when I grow up.  

Happy Birthday Gracie you are missed.

It may seem odd that I have this big post about Gracie when my Mom recently passed away, too.  My Mom would have been 86 on July 31.  That was a sad day for me, but my Mom left us years ago and her deterioration was excruciating to watch, slow and steady, losing an inch of life at a time.  I love my Mom, but I have been mourning her loss for years, she has not been the same woman, my Mom, for at least 10 years.  Gracie was the same until the end.  I miss them both, just in different ways.

Happy 96 Gracie.  I am sure you are in Heaven trying to make the world a better place from there. And watch out to whoever gets in your way!

44 comments:

moonstruckcreations said...

Lovely post about special ladies by a special lady.

Helenxx

Géraldine B. said...

oh so much love.... I love Gracie's hands .... beautiful pictures ! Thanks for sharing ! Hugs xx

Angel Jem said...

How beautiful that you can appreciate your Mum in Law. It doesn't seem at all strange to me, I can understand what you mean about your Mum leaving 10 years ago even though the body remains. Bless you all x

Claudia said...

Happy Birthday, Gracie.

mamasmercantile said...

Some beautiful things to treasure and remember a memorable woman.

Elizabeth said...

A wonderful tribute to your MIL.

ellen said...

What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful and charming soul. I do understand about your Mom. Mine started "disappearing" when I was 18...inch by inch and moment by moment she lost so much, until there was only a frail shell of her. How I do miss her as she was so very, very long ago.
I know Gracie and your Mom are both watching over you and your loved ones. Blessings to you,
Ellen.

Una said...

A lovely tribute. That little table is gorgeous.

CJ said...

What a lovely post, she sounds like a wonderful woman. I'm so glad she was able to meet your little buddy, and also that he remembers her. We went to my partner's sister's house today to sort out some of his late mother's things. The boys all came away with a painting each done by her late husband, and her daughters gave me a ring of hers which I shall treasure. Little mementoes to remind us of those who have gone before. Sending you a hug today Meredith. CJ xx

Betsy said...

How wonderful that you had and still have such love for your Mom in law. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all could say the same? The mementos you have are lovely. The red cane made me smile. Red. How perfect for the woman you describe with such love. The table and chair are exquisite pieces of art to treasure and pass down through the family.
Much love and many blessings Meredith,
Betsy

Pammy Sue said...

That chair is amazing, as is the wrap you knitted. Such beautiful colors. Don't you feel a bit of her spirit in all those things? Lovely memories to cherish and many more to make! ♥

Christina said...

Gracie reminds me of my granny. Just like you I have bits and pieces from her live to remember her. It is wonderful that Gracie got to know Little Buddy. Cx

kathy b said...

Grief is so different and strange…isn't it? your love for both ladies is evident. Love that Gracie met Lil buddy. Great post Mere

Teresa Kasner said...

You are so very lucky that your MIL was a sweetheart. And what amazing family heirlooms you have from her! It's nice that you have such a good role model for how to age gracefully. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Handmade and off-centered said...

She sounds like a wonderful woman! How lucky you all were to have her in your lives. Reading this made me teary eyed. I think its something special, the love you have for your MIL.
Hugs
Birgitta xx

Anonymous said...

Gracie sounds like an amazing woman and I just LOVE the picture of her with Little Buddy.

Happy birthday, Gracie.

RedSetter said...

What an eloquent and gracious post showing how much she was in your life and heart. Her loss is clearly still raw.

Gracie Saylor said...

I appreciate your remembrance of Gracie, your mom, and some of your family treasures, Meredith...thanks for sharing xx

Faeryfay said...

Beautiful memories.x

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a beautiful loving post! You can see that sparkle in her eyes! You were blessed to have her in your life for so long. My Dad had dementia so we also started losing him long before the end. Lucky for me my Mom is here now and sharing her last years with me and my family. Sending you a hug!
Linda

Unknown said...

Happy birthday Gracie. You sound like a very interesting lady. I bet you are missed a lot. I also bet you taught a lot of people some great life lessons!
I love that table! Great post today (as always). It is so great that you got a long so great with your MIL!

kathyinozarks said...

beautiful post-thanks for sharing with us-hugs

Jennifer Hays said...

Both ladies would be very proud of you. I understand how it is to see someone deteriorate as well as to see them go quickly. This is a lovely tribute to Gracie.

My Garden Diaries said...

What an amazing woman! I can feel her power through this post! And those precious pieces that you have of hers are unbelievable! That table is STUNNING!!! Sending you a big hug as you make your way through your day today....I have no doubt that she is watching down on you all! Nicole xo

Joyful said...

A beautiful tribute to a woman you all loved. She sound so wonderful. I'm amazed that Buddy remembers her too. I can see what an effect she has on people that someone so young should remember her in her absence.Hugs. xx

gaia said...

This is a great post honouring loved ones...

Tanna said...

Gracie was the kind of woman we would all like to be when we grow up. It is such a blessings that she had so much time with you and your family... to pass those seeds on to the next generations. Beautiful tribute, Meredith. blessings ~ tanna

HollyM said...

I appreciated this lovely post about your MIL. I spend a lot of time with mine and have often thought about what I will miss. We are both quilters and crafters.
My mom and my MIL are both 79. My MIL has some health problems and my mom, although she is physically healthy, has just been diagnosed with alzeimers. I'm very sad.

Trudy said...

I love Gracie. She reminds me of several women who have Graced my life.
My aunt is 91, and like Gracie is fighting for her life. I know the Lord is going to take her soon, and I am OK with that, but at the same time am already saddened by a world without my Auntie (I have always called her Ain'ty Rose.

Lucie said...

Bonjour Mereknits,
Your post has touched me greatly as usual.
Especially this sentence reminds me my mom.

"I miss these hands, hands that have worked hard, loved hard and helped to create such a better life for so many."

Have a nice week!
Lucie

Mindy said...

Sweet! What a blessing to have 2 such wonderful women in your life!

Carla from The River said...

Beautiful post.
Our prayers.
xx oo
Carla

Between Me and You said...

What a fitting tribute to a lovely lady. I love the table. It looks very Scottish! I have one of those little chairs and you can't sit on it either. It was made by a Dutchman in New York, his name is on the underside of the chair - can't imagine how it got all the way over here! We have leaden skies over here so it's nice to visit your sunny place! xxx

Chris said...

A beautiful eulogy for a an amazing woman. At the end of a life what really matters is how they were loved and how they loved all those around them. That's what it is all about. My mom had dementia for many years, it is such a heartbreaker and so profoundly sad. Both ladies were blessed to have you in their lives.

elns said...

A lovely post of remembrance, a tribute, Mere. I'm glad this woman was a part of your life and you shared her greatness with us.

Grammy Braxton said...

Meredith, this was such a loving and special tribute to a lady who obviously meant a great deal to you and your family. I love the photos of her hands and with your boys. You were so lucky to have this woman in your life. Hugs to you.

Sharon

Helen said...

What lovely memories, it's so nice to see how big and important a part of your life she was and is xx

linda said...

What a beautiful tribute for a very special lady Meredith, it's lovely that you have some of her beautiful possessions to treasure for always. :)

Ingrid K. said...

Hi Meredith!
What a shining tribute to Gracie, it was very touching to read. Lovely of you to remember her in this way, so many fond memories.
Those heirlooms are really special, too.
Hugs!!!
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

EMMA said...

A lovely tribute to Gracie, you must have had a wonderful relationship with her.
The table and chair are very beautiful.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

You always manage to make me cry with your heartfelt posts. Lovely images. And Gracie certainly looks she stayed feisty as long as she possibly could. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Forgot to say that I LOVE that table and the chair. Such lovely pieces to have. Hugs, Tammy

Suzan said...

Wonderful reminders of Gracie and memories to fill your heart!

Taci simmons said...

What a beautiful tribute my dear friend. I know you love our mom just as much, but today was Gracie's birthday and a day to celebrate such a special person. Friday my dad would've been 90 and I miss him so very much. I'm so glad you had both of them your life .