Well hello there! You know, each and every time I swear to myself, I'm jumping back into the swing of things, something else happens and well, I fall even further behind.
Since we last spoke, our family lost someone near and dear to our hearts! My husband's Grandma passed away on May 9th. We learned that she hadn't much longer to live after a doctors visit a few weeks prior. Then it seems things took a turn for the worst, and progressed much faster than any of us imagined. We spent Mother's Day around her bedside and she passed away shortly the day after.
My husband grew up with her and had had a relationship much like I did with my Grandma Don. So, not only was it painful to watch, in a sense I felt like I was going through it all over again.
I first met Grandma O'Regan almost 11 years ago at a family St. Patrick's Day party. Little did I know she would leave such a huge footprint on my soul. I will most remember her for her gentle kindness. Her stories of Ireland as well as her map guide of "Who Came From Where" over tea and toast with apricot spread were simply the best!
She danced away the night of my wedding to Eric. I remember multiple people coming up to me asking about her and where she got her energy from!
My favorite story of Grandma was when I had caught her smoking in the alley of the old house on Nottingham. I was heading out to my car when I saw her and thought I'd go talk with her before I left. In the almost 6 years I spent on Nottingham, I NEVER knew she had smoked. I saw her standing there, smoking her cigarette. She must have heard me coming, and when she did she turned to look. As soon as she saw me, she flung the cigarette out into the middle of the alley and stooped down. Odd, I thought. I continued further. Still stooped down, I asked her, "What are you doing out here Grandma?" and her reply, "These, damn kids... Always leaving their cigarette butts out here.. They're everywhere!" Now, for one; I had never heard Grandma curse before.... and two; I literally just saw her smoking that cigarette she blame on those poor neighbor kids. I just looked at her and we both laughed as I said, "Now Grandma, I just saw you throw that cigarette butt! You're going to get some kid who's mom is listening outside in trouble!"
We never talked about it again. She got up, said come in for tea; and that was that.
She truly was one of the most beautiful women I have ever met; inside and out.
We are all heartbroken over her loss. But we know she is in a better place and is no longer suffering. These last few years have been extremely hard watching her slowly deteriorate. So truly, I am glad she is finally at peace.
"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand"
we love you forever and for always,
xo