Spotlight: Great Grandma Jackie
18 Jan 2011 2 Comments
My grandmother has always been one of the most precious people in my life. As a child I grew from an infant to a 4 year old in her home with my mother and Auntie Joyce. I have maintained a bond with all three of these women throughout my life, a bond that transcends any differing opinions and bumps in the road.
My grandmother is a stoic woman, a woman that lives to keep her family safe and has always valued honestly and blunt reality over sugar coating. I have come to truly appreciate that in her and have always really enjoyed seeing her evolve into something of a softie in her twilight years (this is a relative term ;0) )
In short, I adore her and treasure every moment I have had and will have with her.
Shiloh has brought out something I haven’t really seen in my grandmother till now. Jackie is all smiles from ear to ear the whole time we visit ( I try as often as I can, about once a month or so). She sings her songs and teaches her little things. I see the mother in my grandma, something she MUST have done for me, but I never looked at it that way as a girl. Furthermore, she was a major caregiver for me, a very different role than just a doting great-grandmother. She doesn’t have to worry about disciplining, and can just enjoy her red-headed granddaughter.
The last time I was over there was about a month ago. It was that afternoon that it hit me like a ton of bricks just how special this moment was that I was experiencing.
This woman, so important and formative to me, was able at the age of 88 to pick up my child, place her so hilariously on her walker, and wheel her around and around the kitchen at break neck speeds for an 88 year-old. Shiloh was in stitches and I just couldn’t get over my grandmother having such playful FUN at a time in her life when pain rules all. I was giddy.
I just couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It was a moment forever frozen in time for me. I know Jackie can’t be here forever as much as my heart will burst the day she leaves us. But this memory will make that day that much more bearable.
That day I will close my eyes and see her, with a devilish grin on her face, wheeling my child briskly around the always-present round kitchen table. That image will get me through.
Losing her husband in her fifties, I am not sure how much "fun" she had in her life after that. Here, she's having fun. That I am sure.
Jan 18, 2011 @ 21:00:53
Love what you said about your grandmother. We grew up with my grandmother too — until I was married. In retrospect, it was totally awesome.
Jan 22, 2011 @ 00:55:50
Grandma would love reading this. It would make her smile.