This past weekend my family gathered to celebrate the lives of my grandparents. 3 years ago my grandfather passed away. It was my grandparents wish that when they passed away their remains would be cremated and there be no funeral services or memorial.
When my grandfather passed away I was 6 weeks postpartum and a newly single mother of 2 very young children. I was in the midst of my own personal tragedy and didn’t have the time or energy to grieve. This is something that has haunted me since that time.
My grandparents were married for 55 years. When my grandfather passed away a piece of my grandmother died. She was already living with a terminal illness, but amazingly found joy and strength in her final years. I am thankful that she lived to meet both of my daughters and that in August we spent a very special week with her. I know that her last memories of myself and my children are fond ones.
On December 14, 2008 she passed away peacefully. She had been hanging on for days. Just minutes before she passed away a picture of her and my grandfather was placed in front of her. It is my greatest hope that they are now together again.
This weekend we came together and grieved as a family. We spread their ashes (that had been mixed together) in a beautiful place and all saught to find closure. We celebrated their amazing lives and the huge impact that they had on all of us.
I will miss them immensely for the rest of my life. But the memories I have of them will live on forever.
Thinking of them together again brings tears to my eyes.
That’s a beautiful place to spread their ashes….very peaceful.
This is a beautiful post, and like, Liz, the thought of them together again is making me choke up.
oh my, this feels sad but sweet all in one. memories and what we carry on from what we learn from those we love is how they continue to live with us
Such a beautiful reminder that real love really can last a lifetime.
May the memories bring you peace and contentness. Hugs……….