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!