grace lee.
My grandmother, Grace Lee (93), passed away on April 26th and her funeral was held this past week. Although I was unable to attend the service, I was given the opportunity to say goodbye to her shortly before her passing. As my mother tearfully handed my grandmother the phone, I felt ill prepared as I gathered my thoughts. How do you say goodbye to someone you've loved for all of your life? How do you express sadness and love in the same breath?
In those final moments, my heart was filled with so many words, yet my voice was silent, filled with sorrow. As we spoke, I told her I loved her, encouraged her to get some rest, and at the end of our conversation, I said goodbye. As I did, tears fell down my cheeks and the reality of my last goodbye sank in.
My grandmother was a remarkable woman. She was a storyteller and she had the ability to make my side ache with her wit and sense of humor. She was, like her name, filled with grace and warmth. She left behind a legacy of love and strength. She was a daughter, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a great great-grandmother, but to me, she will always be Meme.
In those final moments, my heart was filled with so many words, yet my voice was silent, filled with sorrow. As we spoke, I told her I loved her, encouraged her to get some rest, and at the end of our conversation, I said goodbye. As I did, tears fell down my cheeks and the reality of my last goodbye sank in.
My grandmother was a remarkable woman. She was a storyteller and she had the ability to make my side ache with her wit and sense of humor. She was, like her name, filled with grace and warmth. She left behind a legacy of love and strength. She was a daughter, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a great great-grandmother, but to me, she will always be Meme.
Until we meet again, I love you and I miss you.
March 10, 1915 - April 26, 2008
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
16 comments:
oh lynette, i'm sorry. i wish there was something i could do for you.
I'm sorry for your loss. Aren't you so glad for the plan of salvation at times like this? Thinking of you.
so sad. What a touching story, that would be really hard to think of what to say when you know its the last time. Much love to all your family.
Lynette,
I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma. It is not easy to say goodbye when you know that someone you love is ill and may pass away soon. I don't know what I am going to to when my Grandma B passes away. It is just hard to see her not feeling well. Ps. I let Megan know about you having a blog and wanting your address. Also let Ali and Jean Paul know as well.
Lynette I'm sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away.
I'm so glad to know you blog (I've already spent way too much time looking at your past entries!) If you send me your e-mail address I'll send you an invite to our blog (meganbeckstrom@yahoo.com).
- Megan
How is your Mom handling it? I'll keep you all in my prayers.
Miss you.
I am so sorry for your loss. My Dad passed away 12 days ago, and my heartache is excruciating. The only thing that has gotten me through it is the knowledge that we will be together again. Peace be with you.
The funeral was beautiful. Dad did a wonderful job. Although you weren't able to be there (and we missed you) you were blessed to have been able to say goodbye. She left us a wonderful legacy.
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. What a beautiful poem.
Lynette, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you and your family.
We were very sorry to learn of your family's loss. Your Mom bore a beautiful testimony on Sunday about the your grandmother, and the change of heart that your grandparents experienced to invite your Dad to speak at the funeral. It was a powerful witness of our Father's plan of happiness, and her hope to be sealed to her parents in the hereafter. I am proud to be part of your extended family. Much love - Dad B
i'm so sorry - i can only imagine how hard it is to be away from family right now!
I'm sorry Lynette. From your description she sounds like she was a wonderful woman. It also sounds like she is where you get your wonderful story telling and wit as well.
I'm so sorry Lynette. I know how hard losing a Grandmother is. My grandmother who helped raise me passed on my first year at BYU and my grandpa joined her a year ago last month. No matter what anyone says the ache is still there. It gets better though, especially with prayer and the peace of the gospel. Elder Nelson's book, "The Gateway We Call Death" brought a lot of peace to my family after my grandma passed. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and I am so glad you had the chance to speak with her before she passed. It always helps me to remember that the atonement wasn't just for sin but for heartaches like this and can truly heal our hearts. Sending you a big hug from far away!!
I am so sorry :( I still miss my Grandma after all of these years. I'll use something that was hers, or think of something we would do together and miss her so much. She was so amazing and I'm sure your Grandma was too. So nothing more to say except it sucks!
may her soul rest in peace!
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