Ironically, the point in time that Granny left off in writing her memoire, was just after my birth. After my father's return from the artic in 1956, she wrote "There were lots of stories exchanged but there was one little setback for Frank, our baby Barb, who was only 6 months old when he went away didn't know him and didn't want any of his love or kisses, which the other kids found really funny,but it was only a day or two when that changed and we were a happy family back together again".
My journey to write about Granny's life starts at the beginning of my life! I am currently reading "The Heart Does Break", a collection of Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning. In the intro by George Bowering, he writes " Just about everyone in our society wants to write a goodbye poem to their dead.....But why would anyone want to write about being left behind? I think your father's death, your daughter's, your best friend's death means that you are another person now. You need to be redefined." It is this sentiment, the need to redefine oneself, to find "me" in this life without my mother, whom was always a source of inspiration to me, it is that need that compells me to write her story. In so doing, even at this point, I find an inner voice forcing me to look deep into myself and find my path.
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I'm excited for this journey of yours mom. We know that Granny was an inspiration to us but it will be so nice to hear how she touched so many others lives. I am proud to be Granny's granddaughter and I'm glad to have a mom like you, who inspires me everyday. Thanks Granny :)
ReplyDeleteMomm... it looks great so far!!! Very impressed with the technical skills you must have used to pull this all together.
ReplyDeleteI think what you are doing is remarkable. I couldn’t think of anything else that would make Granny happier then to know her story is finally being finished (and by a great writer to top it off !!)Granny can rest assured knowing she will always be cherished and remembered by her invigorating, distinctive, and delightful adventures!
You have encouraged comments and stories to be shared, and as you begin your new journey to re discover and re invent yourself, I feel it's important that I share my opinion on the kind of women I’ve come to know you and my grandmother to be. Very much alike in my eyes.
In and around the time Granny passed, I had some time to reflect on my Grandmother’s life, and what I had been lucky enough to experience of it... and then of course I wondered what was to come in the uncertain future.
I always thought of Granny as the foundation of our family. She seemed to be the one to pull us all together and hold us together, through good times and bad... although nothing was out of Granny control! She taught me a lot of lessons and values that I still and always will hold very dear. She loved her grandchildren and wanted nothing more then their happiness.
So when she passed I couldn’t help but to wonder how could a family go on without their foundation? Who would be the one to hold our large, but grand family together as gracefully and effortlessly as she did? Who would be the keeper of love, peace and fairness? Because no matter how solid the foundation..Sometimes families crumble!! So who would lead us through the good, the bad, and the ugly? No matter what the situation was...who would cheerfully say " Ahhh,Girl that's Nuttin "
Granny was the most inspirational, kind hearted, strong, and fun loving woman I knew...and the more I thought on it... the more similar qualities I recognized in my mother.
And then I saw it happen. I saw my mother, despite the sorrow she felt...step up, put on her best Granny face, wipe away her tears, and take over the foundation. I realized I needn’t worry who would hold us together. After all... Granny did teach her everything she knows!
Mom: you may feel as though Granny's passing left you with a void... or that she took a piece of you with her... but I don’t think you realize how much of Granny is with you each and every day.
Or at least how much of her I see and feel in you. So many things have been passed from her to you and from you to Alaina and I. You always told us how wonderful your relationship was with your mother and that you only hoped we would have the same bond. I believe Granny made that possible. I’m proud not only to say that you are the most supportive, loving, and encouraging mother, but also my best friend! You and Granny taught me the importance of family and values. You taught me how to love, how to cry, how to live my life with no regrets. But most importantly Granny and my wonderful mother taught me to " Have fun and be good at it!! "
In saying that... I can only take what you taught me, put it to motion, believe in myself and strive to be like my amazing Mother Barb, and my unforgettable Grandmother Gladys......
With Love
Cait Teeuwsen Dwyer Burke