Mar 05 2008
Precious and Few
It was a lovely Christmas morning. Me, my SisterDears and brothers were joyfully opening our gifts. Later in the day we were having a large family gathering, my favorite kind of Christmas! Nana Gert, Auntie Jeanne and her family were coming to have Christmas dinner with us. I had crocheted a peach-colored scarf and hat for Nana and I couldn’t wait for her to open it!! It was going to be a most wonderful Christmas Day!
I had just opened a gift. It was a brand new 45 that I’d been wanting so badly, Precious and Few by Climax.
The phone rang and MotherDear answered. I heard the most mournful sound come from her mouth. Nana Gert had died during the night at Auntie Jeanne’s. She had fallen asleep in the rocking chair, knitting a last minute gift for somebody. The doctor said she had likely fallen asleep and had a stroke during the night. She never knew anything.
The rest of that day is just a blur, the only other thing I remember from that day is that I went downstairs to the basement and spent the entire day and long into the night crying my heart out. I played that 45 over and over and over again. I literally wore it out, remembering my Nana and missing her so badly it was physically painful.
It was the first time in my life that I realized that I had to treasure each moment with somebody who I love. From that moment, I am always mindful that it might be my last opportunity to share time with them. Because none of ever knows when the last moment in time may come.
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Visit here if you’d like to do your own Message in a Bottle, you do not have to be tagged. I chose to combine mine with a post because Nana Gert was my inspiration for my Message.
4 responses so far
The very best job I could ever imagine is one that would pay me to think… and the currency would be wine!
Oh, what a difficult thing to go through for a young person, but that’s the way I want to go, completely uncomprehending.
Nice post.
Lovely story. She went peacefully in her sleep. Best way to go. Great Message in a Bottle! Happy WW!
She would have loved the scarf. I don’t remember her as well as you, but I remember her pinching my cheeks and telling me I was “cunning”.
I feel sad that I really never got to know her as an adult. Something I do know, “She had to have been the kindest, most loving mother to have graced this planet to have given us a father who loves unconditionally and is the defination of human strength and caring.
Your message touched my heart. It will surely reach many and remind them to stop and share a moment or two.
Thanks for stopping by. I love your site and I’ll be dropping back in soon.