October 17, 1915- May 9, 2012
I am named after my precious grandmother, Grace Werner. I love her. We have many amazing memories. I had the privilege of living and taking care of her for more than a year before I got married and LOVED it.
Here are some of my memories that flood my mind when I think about this petite little woman we all called, Nana.
Her house was ALWAYS spotless. It wasn't until I lived with her that I knew why. She dusted and cleaned EVERYDAY. I would have a whole basket of clothes in my room and I would come home from work to her saying, "well I had to do my laundry, and just needed a few more pieces". She would never admit that she did 4 loads!
Whenever we would go to visit, there was a 75% chance that she would be outside sweeping her drive way in her "outdoor" white keds. She HATED those berries that would drop from the tree and stain her driveway! She swept everyday.
She was the master Orange juice squeezer! She had multiple trees in her front yard and when they were ready for juicing, she would get everything set up and we would make a day of it. She had a way to get every OUNCE of juice out of those darn peels. She never threw anything away, and heaven forbid food. She would make sure she wasn't wasting anything!
One of the first things I would do when we went to visit her was head to the guest bathroom, open up the cabinet and look for the body powder. She had a "puff" as big as my head, I would slip my tiny hand in that puff, lift my shirt up, and put a big ole helping of that body powder on...just like she showed me. =)
She ALWAYS had Weathers Originals or tic tacs in her house. Always.
When she would make lemonade in her pitcher with the pink tulip on it, she would put a paper towel on the top of it when she put it in the fridge. I didn't ever understand why, but have done the same thing.
She was busy on Thursdays at 3:45. She would have her hair washed and set.
Her cup was yellow and Papa's was green. They always sat next to the sink. Sometimes I don't think she ever washed them, but I know she did, because she was a neat freak.
When I was living with her, and my best friend came to spend the night, a mouse got into the house. She was beside herself upset. We locked her in her room until we could find it. She came peaking out the door saying, "Elisabeth! I need my bible!"
She made the best Bay's English Muffins, and put the most butter on them I have ever seen. She said its what made it good. She was right. It is her fault I love that "yellow stuff".
When she moved to the assisted living, I would take her on her errands and dr appointments periodically. One day, she said she wanted to get in the wheel chair because we could be done faster. I didn't even think about it and walked to the electric wheelchairs, she looked at me like I had 4 heads and said, "I have never driven a car a day in my life, and you are going to try to put me in THAT?" We laughed until we cried.
She had a little wooden 'thing', that we would pretend that it made coffee. It sits in my dad's house now, and my Gracie makes coffee just like I did.
She had some 'dolls' that sat in a glass cabinet. I never understood why I couldn't play with them. She called them a funny name; hummels. She said they were expensive, and now I believe her.
I would tease her all the time about if she found a boyfriend yet. She would laugh at first and then get very serious and say, "no, I am not interested in that. I had the perfect one, and He is in heaven waiting for me." I love her dedication and commitment to Papa even in his death.
When I would ask her what she thought Papa was doing in heaven she said, "probably waiting at the gates for me! But Jesus needs to tell him it may be a while and to go do something else!"
Nana, no more waiting. You are with Papa forever. You can run those golden roads and have Papa give you the tour of all of heaven. I am so thankful you are not in pain any longer. I love you and am so blessed and honored to be your granddaughter. I love being Elisabeth Grace, and I love having Grace Lee!
Gracie gets Kisses From Nana
Love this sweet picture!
One of my last visits with Nana in March.
Aunt Carol, Nana and Dad
Lauren and Nana
I love her. I wonder what she is doing this VERY minute. Smiling, I am sure!
I loved how at the age of 90 she still bought wheat bread because it was so much healthier than oatmeal... even though she liked oatmeal better.
ReplyDeleteI loved that she got married on Christmas day.
I love how she was the kindest, sweetest person every time we saw her. That loved seeing our faces.
I remember every piece of furniture that sat in the SAME place for my entire life.
I still have a 2 year old voicemail on my answering machine from when she called to thank me for sending pictures. I still smile when I listen to my messages.
I loved that on the final day I kissed her cheek and told her I loved her she said she loved me too and was so proud of the way Brian and I raised our children up in the Lord. I told her the girls were ready to see her in heaven with her new body and wanted to ride rainbows with her. She smiled and said okay with a laugh.
She will be missed. I'm jealous she beat us home and I can't wait to see her shining face at heavens gate. Loved that Nana!
Those all made me smile!!!
ReplyDeleteHow precious are your memories with her. Thank you for sharing some of them with us. It makes me think back to my grandmother that I was so close to. It is great that we'll get to see them again one day.
ReplyDelete