Thursday, September 11, 2008

A Sad Day

I don't think I will ever forget getting the call from my husband (then boyfriend) Jeremy telling me of the World Trade Center attacks. He is a journalist and told me to turn on the news. I swear I stood in that spot completely stunned for 30 minutes, unable to truly fathom what had happened. My brother is a pilot for American Airlines, and as I felt the relief in knowing he was safe, my heart ached for all the families and friends that lost someone. Seven years. Wow. There have been so many changes in our world in that seven years. It is a different world in many ways. I miss the world we had before. I miss September 11th being just another day on the calendar.

To add to this sad day early this morning my Grandma passed away. She was my last surviving grandparent. She was a very private person and even though she was a hard person to know I loved her, and I will miss her. I have fond memories of our summer visits to Grandma and Grandpa's beautiful home near Portland Oregon. We went to the beach, visited the state park near their home and enjoyed the amazing meals she would prepare for us. Grandma showed her love by cooking. She was an amazing cook. She also had a great sense of humor. Her life was spent as a devoted wife and mother. We lost my grandpa 4 years ago, and I know she missed him. They were a matched set, and life was hard without her best friend. She was ready to go, and I know she is at peace. As I sit here looking at the half finished quilt top that I had intended to finish for her birthday last month, I wonder why I always think there will be more time. I got busy, and it was set aside. I'm sorry Grandma. I should have made the time. I love you.
My Grandma and Grandpa on their 60th Wedding anniversary 10 years ago


Totally unrelated note

**This month Nascar is doing a promotion with the National Marrow Donor Program. Many people with life threatening diseases are waiting for a bone marrow donor. If they do not have a suitable match within their family, they rely on the Bone Marrow Registry. Getting on the Registry is simple, but you usually have to pay $52 for the tissue-typing kit. Thanks to Nascar's generosity, if you sign up before September 22nd they will cover that cost! Check out the site and send for your kit.**

6 comments:

Lisa R.D. said...

Nicole, so sorry to hear about your loss today. When my grandma passed away a few years ago I remember feeling the same thing... that there should have been more time, more gatherings at her home, more of her homemade goodies and smiles. I couldn't (and sometimes still can't) imagine a world going on without my grandma... but just as we all kept going after the attacks on September 11th, life goes on, even after hard things and loss. My thoughts are with you and your family!

Katy said...

Nicole, I think you're great!! Sorry to hear about your grandma...I don't deal with death very well, BLECH!

Marie B. said...

Nic, I am so sorry about your grandma. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you.

eliasinlondon said...

I'm sorry to hear about your grandma Nicole. A big hug to you. On the happier side, the photos of your labor day work look fab, as does the new photo of you!! You look so hip and young!

Lori said...

I haven't forgotten you. I've had your package in the back of my car for a month waiting for the next time I was in Sugarhouse. I haven't been south of 33rd in a long time... and the best part of SLC is down there. I'll get it to you, I promise.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for your loss.
I'm later in discovering it, but my grandfather passed away in May and I still miss him. And my grandmother all over when I think of the two of them together.