This month's blog theme of "Rest, Relax & Rejuvenate" is bittersweet for me today. We just lost our family's matrirach. My husband's grandmother lived 91 full years, leaving behind a large family all gathering today to celebrate her life and legacy.
Some of her (many)greatest gifts? Her peaceful spirit and gracious hospitality made her home one of the best for resting, relaxing, and rejuvinating. She and Grandpa lived on family farmland with sprawling trees. Their front porch overlooked a pasture, the perfect setting for family meals and fellowship.
So while this is a tough day for me, please, no need to offer condolences. This is also a time to celebrate the loved ones in my life and hope I am able to pass along the gift of peace. I definitely had an amazing teacher and role model. Godspeed, Mamaw....
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Where is your favorite peaceful place to recharge? One commenter will be chosen at random to receive an autographed UNDER FIRE tote bag and copy of COVER ME, book 1 in my "Elite Force" series. (Contest ends on Saturday, June 9, 2012.)
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USA Today best selling author Catherine Mann writes military romantic suspense for Sourcebooks and Berkley, as well as steamy romances for Harlequin Desire. A RITA Award winner, Catherine lives in Florida with her flyboy husband, their children and an ever growing pack of pets. On shelves now: UNDER FIRE (Sourcebooks) and "Dog Tags" in LOVE BITES (HQN).
Website: http://catherinemann.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatherineMannAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMann1
So sorry to hear of your loss, Catherine. My prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you, Catherine.
ReplyDeleteWe were blessed to have my sweet little grandma till she was 94, but it still wasn't long enough. She passed in 2007, but I still miss her sweet smile, her wonderful stories and of course, her cookies.
Sending cyber-hugs.
I'm very sorry for your loss. It's wonderful that you had her for so long. Both sets of my grandparents were older parents so they've been gone for many years but I have fond memories. When I need to recharge and relax I like to go to the lake with a good book and zone out.
ReplyDeletelorimeehan1@aol.com
Hang on to those memories, Cathy. My Granny has been gone for many years yet her spirit lives on in our hearts...prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteBack home on my parents farm. Large oak trees, cows grazing and flowers everywhere.
ReplyDeleteand sorry for your pain. Remember we are the ones in pain not her.
ReplyDeletePrayers for your family. Loss of a loved one is never easy but it is comforting that your grandmother lived such a nice full life.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteMy place to relax and rejuvenate is my bedroom with a good book.
So sorry for your families loss Cathy, my heart and prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteI remember spending every summer with my grandmother and step-grandfather. My grandfather and I would always move her furniture around in her living room, when Lawrence Welk was on tv....and we would dance the Polka together... Most Fun Ever.
Now-a-days, I have grandkids of my own, and I love having them over, I love chatting with them, which can be very interesting with the younger one....he's a trip!!
As for getting away and rejuvinating...well....I'm running away from home week after next.... to a girls weekend.... 17 of us....in the middle of now where... in a cabin.... no men, no computers, just lots of chocolate and Muscadine Wine.... yeah, now that's rejuvinating!!
She sounds like she was a great lady! The loss is painful but there are a lot of great memories that will be treasured I am sure. All of my grandparents are gone and there are still times I want to call them up and tell them something from mylife.
ReplyDeleteMy place to go and recharge used to my Grandparents farm as well, but now it is any place that there is nature, animals and quiet. A lake, a walk in the woods, or in the middle of a pasture. If I can have thirty minutes of time by myself with nature it helps.
My thoughts are with your family today as you say good-bye. Hugs.
I am so so sorry for your loss. My grandmother has been gone from us 18 yrs now and not a day goes by that i don't miss her. We shared a wonderful relationship. She was a grand lady. We went on trips together, shopped together. Went to the movies and did so many wonderful things together..
ReplyDeleteGrandmother's in my book are another word for Love...
Oh, I'm sorry, Catherine. My grandmother will be 94 in October, and I am going to see her for her birthday and my grandparents' 70th wedding anniversary. I definitely treasure any and all time we have together.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for you loss and I feel your pain , I lost my Daddy Dec. 30 2011. My favorite place to relax and recharge is in Daddy's swing. Dad sat in it every day to just rest and visit with family and friends. Mom give the swing to me and I set it up in the back yard. I go out in the mornings and drink my coffee and read and just to get ready to face the day.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss. I miss my grandmother who lived to 83. My grandfather was 89 when he passed and they farmed together and were married for over 50 years. When he passed a spark seemed to go out of her. All the relatives and friends always gathered on Sundays at their place. My own mother will be 90 this year and I know how blessed I am to still have her. She still lives on her own but no longer does the family dinners (mostly because my niece has 7 kids lol).
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to you and your family. I was not fortunate enough to have lived near enough to grandparents in order to gett o know them or visit. Always felt like I was missing something in that.
ReplyDeleteAs for my favorite peaceful place to recharge, that would be our city library. My cares are always displaced with the wonders to be discovered in books, and the endless entertainment to be found in the pages of various tomes.
little lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Condolences to your family, Catherine. I like to recharge at the pier. There are benches and I can sit there and watch the waves crash along the rocks.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI like to recharge by going to the park.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
My deepest sympathy, Catherine. Memories can be so precious.
ReplyDeleteIt's been exactly 5 years to the day that I lost my mother, and I had such a sweet dream of her last night.
We're never ready, we just have to accept & remember with love.
ReplyDeleteI have a couch with a lounge, right next to a window - great place to cozy in & read a good book.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
I have a chair in a corner of my bedroom that i good sit in and lay my head back. I always takes me away for 15 to 30 for a quick battery charge.
ReplyDeleteSo Sorry to hear your loss :(
ReplyDeletemy favorite peaceful place will be my room
So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a dear loved one.
ReplyDeleteMy peaceful place is the mountains. Getting away from it all and enjoying nature.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
My deepest sympathies, Catherine.
ReplyDelete