Thursday, February 14, 2008

RIP

My mom called me at work this morning--something I think she's done possibly only once before in the entire ten years I've been a gainfully employed adult. I didn't recognize the number on my caller ID display, but the 920 area code told me immediately who it was and why she was calling.

My grandma died at about 2:00 this morning. It's sad, but it's also a relief. We knew it was coming, and she was definitely ready to go. She hadn't been herself since she had the stroke shortly after Thanksgiving... She was in a nursing home, where she was miserable, where she never wanted to be. She was in a lot of pain, and she didn't understand why her stubborn old body wouldn't listen to her weary and broken spirit and just give in. I'll miss her (obviously I'll miss her--that crazy old broad with her dollar bills stapled to birthday cards and her unwanted lima beans permanently labeled with negative commentary and stashed in the freezer), but clearly, it was her time. I'm glad she's at peace.

Grandma

If you want to know more about this tough old lady, you can check out any of these posts. I guess I don't have a whole lot else to add right now.

  • In the cards (wherein we learn that mailmen can't be trusted)
  • I can take a hint (wherein Grandma experiments with the best ways to get more frequent letters from grandkids)
  • We can't work it out (which is primarily a post about my gym, but is also about how my grandma outfitted me with other people's hand-me-downs for the better part of my youth)
  • G is for Grandma (wherein I use the Encyclopedia of Me and a Friday Five to tell you all the things my grandma taught me)
  • Come and see me; I'm the same girl I used to be (which was really a post for my sister, but as I wrote it the day of my grandma's stroke, there's a lot of her in there, too)
  • Life lint (the infamous "Lima beans. Dammit." post with which I'm pretty sure I've got Poppy Award #22 all wrapped up)

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stefanie, I am so sorry. I know I rarely comment, but your story about the lima beans dammit really made me smile, and think of my own Wisconsin Grandma.


In a great big world like this, there is more that we all have in common, than there are things that separate us.

--
Stefanie from WF in Des Moines.

stinkypaw said...

Please accept my deepest sympathy, no matter how well prepared we think we are, it's never easy to lose a loved one.

Sorry for you loss.

Poppy said...

Aww, Stef, I'm so sorry...

3carnations said...

Sorry for your loss. It sounds like she led a very full life...and possibly had some lima bean angst.

shelleycoughlin said...

Aww, Stef, I'm sorry. And right after the awesome Tupperware story, too.

Unknown said...

I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Hang on to the good memories of her life. She sounds like a tough and thoughtful woman.

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you. Thank you for sharing her stories and letting us get to know her. It sounds like she as my kind of woman.
Take care!

Anonymous said...

That's such sad news! She seemed like one of the best grandmas around.

lizgwiz said...

I am so sorry for your loss. And so happy that your grandma's out of pain.

I will probably think of her (and you) every time I see lima beans for the rest of my life. Dammit. :)

-R- said...

First, I am really sorry. I will be thinking of you and your family.

Second, I have to say that I love how many other Stefanies comment on your blog.

Anonymous said...

I really sorry to hear that. That's wonderful you have such fond memories!

Courtney said...

I'm really sorry to hear this. Losing grandparents is tough.

I'll be thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sorry, Stefanie. I lost my grandma not too very long ago, so I know what you must be feeling.

Hang in there, and let me know if there's anything I can do.

Anonymous said...

Oh Stefanie, I'm so very sorry. If there is anything I can do or if you need to talk, I am here. BIG HUGS.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry, Stefanie. I'm always here to chat or listen if you need it. Your grandma sounds like she was a great, awesome person.

Ronald Burgundy said...

I'm very sorry to hear. I've lost 3 of my 4 grandparents and it gets harder each time.

Best wishes-

Anonymous said...

i'm so sorry about the loss of your grandma.

Red said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, sweetie. I'm thinking of you and hoping you and your family are doing all right.

Mair said...

I'm so sorry, Stef.

Whiskeymarie said...

When I read the stories about your Grandma, I am reminded of my own. Both tough as nails, both no-nonsense kind of broads.

So sorry for your loss.

L Sass said...

Your grandmother was beautiful! Big hugs to you and yours.