Well I hate to continue with the bad news

[Maestro]

but since you guys were so great to me when my grandfather passed, My grandfather thread, I thought that I would let the DU family know that my only surviving grandparent, my paternal grandmother, passed quietly last night. I will be heading to Louisiana this Friday.

She was a fine woman and what I will most remember about her was her willingness to reach out to me and try to understand my life which was quite different than hers. I remember vividly when she would walk into my room when I was teenager and ask to listen to my music. She never once said that it was too loud, wierd, or not good. She'd sit there with me on my bed stretched out on her tummy with her legs bent at the knees like she was a fellow teenager with me. She never once said that my hair was too long, that my jeans were too tight, that I was too "ornery" with my parents. She just wanted to be with me and talk to me.

She also was an incredibly devoted wife to my grandfather who was taken from us far too soon. She survived him by 23 years. She also reached out to her troubled sons, my uncles, who had their own travails. She helped them to the end and only in her very advanced age needed any help from them. In fact one died before she which was horrible for her but she survived that. She was a classic woman, but one who worked in a time that many women just stayed at home because that was what was expected. I have issues with many on that side of the family; hoever, not with her. She will always be that one willing to accept me for who I was; non-judgemental. She spewed unconditional love. In her later years, she just couldn't stop talking about my kids which seemed to bring her joy and energy. I'm glad my kids and I had the opportunity to see her within the past six months. I will miss her, but she led a full 91 years. I miss you and love you Mamaw.

[texas1928]

1. Sounds like a wonderful mother and grandmother.

I am sorry for your loss. You kind of made me tear up thinging of my grandmother I lost. My prayers are with you and your family.

[Maestro]

7. Thanks texas1928. -nt

[AlCzervik]

2. i'm so sorry, she was obviously a wonderful woman who was greatly

loved and meant a lot to you, i'm glad you had such a special relationship with her. I'm going to start crying now thinking about my own grandfather.

[Maestro]

10. Thanks

I don't know if it is because this is coming so relatively soon after the death of my grandfather, but I am handling this one much better. Don't cry. They are more comfortable now in death.

[Thtwudbeme]

3. I love hearing about your grandparents

I am so sorry that you all lost your Mawmaw; I know you will miss her forever, just like I miss my grandparents.

Thanks for sharing them with us DUers.

Stephanie

[Maestro]

8. Thanks

Three out of the four lead full, interesting lives. I hope I can make it that far.

[redwitch]

4. I am sorry for your loss.

Grandmas are very precious. :hug:

[Maestro]

11. They sure are!

I never had the chance to be around any of mine much; only during vacations and the like, but it was special when they were around. My kids are growing up with their paternal grandparents. It is a unique experience for sure.

[redwitch]

15. I was very fortunate to know all 4 of my grandparents very well.

And my grandmas made it to 94 and 97 and met both my boys before they passed. My grandparents were a big part of my childhood.

[Maestro]

20. Yes, I can already tell

that my kids are very close to my mom and my dad which I find very special. It is a special relationship that they will always have.

[bertha katzenengel]

5. Maestro, what a beautiful woman.

I am very sorry that you've had such great losses, and so close together too. I remember your Grandfather thread. The photo you posted, together with your post... together they're a wonderful portrait.

I know I will soon lose my Grandma. We've lost her mind already to advanced dementia. When she could still speak coherently, she told us all she just wanted to go home to Jesus. I think somewhere inside her mind, she is aware that she is still stuck here, aware that He waits for her, and she wants desperately to go. But poor Grandma. Her body isn't ready, and it's starting to get very hard. I can't imagine how hard it is for Grandma.

I hope you don't mind if I share her photo. This was taken at about this time last year.



Best wishes to you, Maestro. I'll be thinking of us all and our grandparents as I go to sleep tonight. :hug:

[Maestro]

6. Thanks BK

They know, as we all will some day too, when it is time. She fell and broke her hip about two weeks ago. She came through the surgery fine, but after about two days her organs started failing and she lost the ability to swallow. She started slipping in and out of consciousness. In one lucid moment, she looked at my uncle and said that her time had come. I envy her in a way. Now, she knows what is out there after death. I still fear death only because I can't imagine living without my kids and wife. But she was a very spiritual woman and probably looked forward to it in the end knowing that she would return to her family members.

I wish you and your grandmother well as well. Take care.

[EstimatedProphet]

9. My condolences to you

:hug:

[Maestro]

13. Thanks man. -nt

[bigwillq]

12. That is so sad.

I am very sorry for your loss. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

14. Maestro, this woman truly blessed your life.

I have tears in my eyes after reading your tribute to your lovely, wonderful grandmother. What a treasure you had in her. Peace to you during this time. You will always have your memories of her.

:hug:

[Maestro]

21. She was a great lady indeed

I'm glad to have had the chance to know her as well as I did. I'll say my last goodbye this Saturday.

[Shine]

16. What a beautiful and heartfelt post, maestro. I am sorry for your loss.

I send you and yours all my best wishes for Peace and Comfort during this difficult time. :hug:

Her love will live on in the hearts of your precious family.... :loveya:

[Maestro]

22. Thanks

It's not hard to sound heartfelt talking about her.

[NNadir]

17. It must have been wonderful to have had her. I'm sure you will miss her.

Condolences.

[Maestro]

23. Very much

and thanks.

[clyrc]

18. I'm so sorry to read this

My condolences. My husband lost his last remaining grandparent, his favorite grandmother, last week. In four Springs, he lost three grandparents, one on Easter morning.

It's hard being at the age when dear relatives keep dying.

[Maestro]

25. It's difficult for sure.

I lost my maternal grandfather in August of last year and now this. It makes me worry about my own parents who are also getting older.

[rockymountaindem]

19. My condolences

[Beaverhausen]

24. I'm so sorry. Grandmothers are the best!

I only knew one of mine, and she died when I was only 16 and really needed her unconditional love.

Yours sounds like a wonderful woman. :hug:

[Maestro]

26. She sure was. Thank you.

I was lucky to have known all of my grandparents into adulthood except for one, this grandmother's husband, my paternal grandfather who was taken far too early by cancer.

[miss_american_pie]

27. I'm so sorry for your loss

She sounds like an incredible lady.

[Misunderestimator]

28. Aw, Maestro. She sounds like a wonderful woman.

So sorry for your loss. :hug:

[Maestro]

30. Thanks

A death is always hard to handle but perhaps because this is coming close to the death of my grandfather I am handling it much better. I will say my final goodbye on Saturday in Louisiana.

[UrbScotty]

29. Much love to you and your family, Maestro.

:hug:

You were very fortunate to have had grandparents like yours.

[LynzM]

31. She sounds like a wonderful woman

I'm sorry for your and your family's loss, Maestro :hug: I'm glad she brought so much to your lives.

[Maestro]

32. She certainly did bring a lot to my life.

Another thing that I loved about her was that she used to actually sit down and play board games with my brother and I.

[LynzM]

37. Cool

I have an aunt who is like that, she really enjoys spending time with kiddos. What games did you guys play?

[Maestro]

40. Checkers, Chinese checkers, chess, Monopoly

Sorry, etc... It was cool.

[LynzM]

42. Sweet!

Fun and brain food! :)

[RFKHumphreyObama]

33. My sincere, profound and most heartfelt condolences Maestro

Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful, enlightened and very tolerant person. You were fortunate and blessed to have her as part of your life for so many years and your kids are fortunate to have been able to know her. I know that the enduring legacy of her love, kindness, generosity, compassion and tolerance will live on in the hearts and minds of you, your family and in the lives of all the people whose lives she touched while she walked this earth

Once again my deepest and most sincere thoughts, prayers, sympathies and condolences to you and your family Maestro :hug: :hug: :hug:

[wain]

34. How wonderful to have such a fine grandmother

My sympathy and condolence to you.

Grandparents are special to grandchildren. I too remember my grandmother and grandfather with a special love. And the happy summers spend at their house.

A friend and I were talking the other day when the topic of grandchildren came up. He commented that grandparents create a legacy for their grandchildren. Not with money, but with a love, caring and special times to always be cherished.

[Maestro]

41. Absolutely and totally agree

Thanks.

[LaurenG]

35. I am sorry for your loss

I had a grandmother who thought I hung the moon too. She saved me from self destruction just because she was so unconditional. I know. :hug:

[ET Awful]

36. Your grandmother sounds (and looks) like a wonderful lady.

My own grandmother died younger (84), but had similar qualities, although she NEVER would have asked to hear our music. I remember her playing football and frisbee with my brother and I in our backyard. She was in her 60's at the time.

My condolences to you on your loss of such a wonderful, loving woman. :hug:

[hang a left]

38. Wow, thanks for sharing.

What a lucky guy you are. She sounds so wonderful. Sorry for your loss.

[GOPisEvil]

39. My condolences. She sounds like she was a great woman.

You were lucky to have her.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

43. Oh, I'm so sorry...

Do you see that twinkle in her eye in those pictures? She LOVED YOU GUYS! That devoted woman is at peace and you made her life so special. I know you'll miss her. I had a neighbor lady who was my grandma my whole life, not by blood, but by love. I miss her every day. She was like your mamaw. She was open and loving and wanted to be around us kids because it gave her energy, life. I empathize with your loss. I feel mine everyday and it's been nearly 8 years. I said a little prayer for your family tonight. I hope you are comforted by the love she gave you in life and is still with you in death. :hug:
Duckie

[Maestro]

45. Thank you so much Duckie

You've brought tears to my eyes. Now that the funeral is just a few days a way, this is getting harder to handle. Thank you so much for writing those words and I know that it is true.

[Left Is Write]

44. Love to your family, Maestro.

I'm sorry for your losses. :hug:

[Maestro]

46. Thanks Left is Write

I'll be leaving tomorrow for the burial.