This is the song I remember from my Grandpa Pete's funeral. And I remember my Grandma's beautiful voice singing her little heart out. Her adorable and perfect French Canadian accent. The tears in her eyes.
And now she is gone.
Grandma Laura passed away peacefully at 3:30am today. I can just see her now, as my dad described her, pointing up to Heaven and declaring "I'm ready to go.... now hand me some of those chips you've been hiding over there."
And I know she was ready, surrounded by the people she loved and by those who loved her. I just wish I could have been there. Could be there now. But, I can't. And that's just life. But my thoughts and prayers and my everything is with my family right now. I miss all of you so much and love all of you even more.
You see, if my family has taught me anything it is love. Especially my parents and grandparents. Their relationships so strong. Built on friendship and partnership and most importantly love. I can only hope to find that in my life. And know that one day when I do I will it will be 'til death do us part. Because I know there is a joyous reunion happening right now as I type, and that Grandpa Pete and Grandma Laura are smiling down upon all of us... finally together again.
I think about how they both grew up without much at all. And how they met in that little diner across the Canadian border, Grandma Laura barely able to speak English. Goodness, I have heard that story so many times and I just love it. I think about all the stories that I have heard over the years, over and over again, and how I never tired of hearing them and how I never will. Of all the silly and sometimes even dirty jokes that they would both tell. Grandma Laura laughing but blushing a little. And Grandpa Pete pretending like he didn't know they were dirty at all. I think of all the practical jokes Grandpa Pete used to play, and how Grandma Laura smiled when she retold them to us sitting around that sunroom that one December. I think of how perfectly they complemented eachother. I think of the hours we all spent playing cribbage. But, mostly the even more countless hours I just spent listening and learning.
I learned so much from both of them. More than they will ever know, except that they do know because I truly believe that they are watching over all of us right now. (And If you are listening right now, I love you both so so so much. And miss you already Grandma. And miss you so much Grandpa. But I am glad that you are both home in Heaven and happy and at peace.)
And I know they are in Heaven. Because the world has never known two finer people. Two more selfless and loving people. They gave everything they had for their children and their grandchildren and neighbors and even random strangers.
You taught me how important it is to love... everyone. Strangers, even. Because everyone deserves love and kindness. And if we are blessed with excess than we must give to those in need. Without expecting anything in return. Without even expecting any credit. Because this life is not about material things or money or clothes or success. But it is about love. And it is about doing the most good that you can in the time you are given here on Earth.Thank you so much for teaching me that. I can only aspire to be a half, no, a quarter of the people that you both were.
I guess I just wanted to say that. To put that down in writing. To help me cope. Because even though I know she was ready, I wasn't. But it is going to be okay, I just need to stop bawling my eyes out. Just take a deep breath and go back to living my life. And try that much harder to live the life that God wants me to, so that one day when it is my time, I can play endless cribbage with both of them again up in Heaven. But, until then I can only try to live as selflessly and as kind and with as much love as they both did...and hope that when I go I will be able to look around at all the faces of all the people who love me and who I love and hold their hands as I slip peacefully away, knowing that I have lived a full and meaningful life and that I will live on in the hearts of others. Because Grandma Laura and Grandpa Pete, you live on in all of us.
I love you. We love you. And this isn't goodbye but see you later.
Au Ciel, J'irai vous voir un jour... In Heaven, I am going to see you again one day.
Go hug/call/write to your grandparents...right now.
Olivia
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