My Grandmother passed away 2 years ago. Sad to say, I never felt close to her. She and Grandpa lived with us when we were younger, but it was not a pleasant experience. Years later, after a death in the family, a family feud turned into that scene from "The Office," where Dwight "shuns" Andy... She was Dwight, and our family was Andy.
While I was on my mission she suffered from a stroke, and through the years those continued. I moved to Utah in the fall of 2008. I lived in Sandy, and my grandparents lived in Ogden, about an hours drive north. I made it my goal to get reacquainted with my grandparents and tried to visit and call at least once a month. By this time, Grandma had had so many strokes she wasn't the same. Her memory was also gone. In fact, once when my mom visited her she told mom she was going to have a new baby brother! We still get a good laugh out of that one. Two years ago though, there was not much more doctors could do for her. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family. I was thankful to get a chance to say goodbye to her, even if she didn't know who I was. I was pregnant with Logan at the time, about 7 weeks away from delivery. I was able to ask her to watch out over my little boy until she could send him to me. She smiled, and patted my hand. That's the last memory I have of her.
Since then, I have tried to keep in touch with Grandpa and check on him every so often. We call, and visit enough that I have started to feel close to him again. Every time we visit he gives me things that were hers--an old candy dish, a picture frame--small things, but momentos. He has been starting to go through things, and is slowly starting to let them go. Last week he called and asked if I sew like my mom. I told him I never will be as good as she is, but that I am starting to learn a bit here and there. He then offered me Grandma's old machine and sewing table. I was floored, and so touched as this is the very machine that my mother learned how to sew on years ago. I am honored that he thought of me to have it since it has such special memories attached--both of grandma, and my mom. The machine itself is no longer made which makes it sentimental as well. I asked my mom to teach me how to use it, and hopefully someday I can hand it down to my daughter thus turning it into a family heirloom. I am grateful that even though I was not close to Grandma in this life that I do have something of hers to remind me of her.
