In Memory Of Grace

Teacherman’s (hubby) Aunt Grace passed away last weekend, she was in her early 80’s.

Teacherman has fond memories of her from his childhood. I had the pleasure of meeting her and visiting with her a few times when Teacherman and I first met over 20 years ago. And we took our daughter over to visit a few times when she was younger, the last time being about 9 or 10 years ago.

She was a feisty woman and the “black sheep” of the family because she spoke her mind, didn’t take any crap, and didn’t involve herself in the gossip and other family intrigue. It’s what we liked best about her, and respected her for the most. After all, us “black sheeps” have to stick together. Teacherman is the “black sheep” of his siblings (for the past 10 years he no longer has any contact with them). And I’m the “cold-hearted bitch” to my siblings - but we still all get along, they just know I won’t get involved in their drama any more.

Aunt Grace lived alone and never married. Smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day right up until her mid-70s (then she had to stop because she was on oxygen). We heard of her passing from a letter her neighbor sent. She was cremated without a service, which is what she wanted. When she was last admitted to the hospital, she finally told them stop the medication, stop all the nonsense and just leave her in peace. She was ready to cross over, choosing to do so with dignity and in her own way, the same way she lived her life.

We both regretted that life had gotten so busy and we hadn’t taken the time to visit her in the last few years. We had talked about it, mentioned it several times that we should. But time went by, we mailed off Christmas cards and promised ourselves, next year for sure we would make the time to visit.

To Aunt Grace - may your spirit blaze onward in the here after, till we meet again know that we love you.

Hug your loved ones close. Make time to visit someone you care about now - don’t wait. Sure there is always tomorrow, but then again there may not be.

Make every moment count. Live strong, live well, and take heaven by storm when it’s time to go.

Health and Happiness, Lady Rose
cross posted on Diet Pulpit.

Note: We heard of Aunt Grace’s death a few days after it happened, but from what information we have, her passing was mostly shortly before the dream I had this weekend (details posted The Dream, The Spirits, The Lesson). It makes me wonder if perhaps she was the strong motherly figure in the dream.