This post is going up later than expected, but much earlier than any of us would have ever wanted. You see, over the past month, almost exactly two weeks apart, both Rob and I lost our grandparents. His father's father (and his namesake) passed away on April 19. My mother's mother passed away just a few days ago on May 4. Obviously this was unexpected and unplanned for, but you always find yourself looking for the good when sadness is on the horizon.
Grandpa and little Robby
I had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Rob's grandfather. Anyone who knew anything about our relationship would tell you that Grandpa probably liked me more than he liked Rob. When I would come over for dinners or if Grandpa was taking us out, he often asked where I was sitting and said he wanted to sit next to me. He couldn't see to well and his hearing was pretty weak, but that wit and charm never once failed him. He could tell stories for days and loved to share them. I've heard both funny and sad stories about his time in the World War II then he'd recount memories from the time he built his own house with his own hands.
I almost put Grandma's first selfie. That one is funnier because she couldn't understand why she could see herself. By this time, she had her selfie game down.
There's not really a time in my life that wasn't made possible by my grandmother. For every memory I have, it's like there is a Grandma filter on it. Even if you couldn't see her, you could always tell that she was there. Some of my earliest memories of family get-togethers or even just playing outside were at my grandmother's house. When we were younger and got the chicken pox, we would all go to Grandma's house. For some of the time I was in high school I essentially lived or actually lived at Grandma's house. When we got older and moved away, we always had to get back to Youngstown to see Grandma. Just last year, my mother moved Grandma into our house, so I spent everyday with Grandma. I learned responsibility from Grandma. I learned how to be a good woman and a good wife from Grandma. I learned how to make turkey dressing from Grandma. And I learned to never settle from Grandma.
What brings me joy is that both Grandpa and Grandma knew of Rob and I's engagement and approved. When asked if they were ready for the wedding in August their answers were both, almost verbatim, "I'm ready right now."
The old James Cleveland song says, "Give me my flowers, while I yet live, so I can see the beauty that they bring." I can truly say that we brought our grandparents their flowers while they could smell them. They both knew how much we loved them and how grateful we were for their lives and the example they set. I can confidently say we would not be the people we are without them. And I'm happy to know that I made Grandma proud.
We will miss you guys, but you will forever be in our hearts.
