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Emily Anna Smith's avatar

How lovely your grandmother was and how beautifully you invoke her memory. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I want to say the names of my dear friends Claire and Cindy. Claire died of cancer in December right after her 47th birthday and Cindy died of cancer a few days ago at the age of 62. Bright, shining stars of women gone far too soon and leaving loving daughters and family and friends behind them. I can't believe they're gone.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Emily, I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet friends. It's so hard to lose them. Thanks for reading and for your kind comments. I'll be thinking about Claire and Cindy and all who love them.

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Emily Anna Smith's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca. It is so good to know that others hold our loved ones in their thoughts as well. My southern grandmother made wonderful biscuits, too, and your memories brought her immediately to my mind.

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Eileen's avatar

if love is in the details, i can FEEL and TASTE and SMELL your beloved Stanley. Gorgeous, Becca -- thank you for this!

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Jane Hiatt's avatar

I’m looking forward to that pigheaded story. I bet it’s a doozy. This was such a lovely memory. Better than a video—it’s an extended photograph in words.

I have a complicated relationship with my maternal grandmother but a few sweet memories are having lady fingers on a plate as a treat. (A kind of cookie) They lived in an apartment on the Hudson River. We’d ride up with the elevator operator. My grandparents had glass cases enclosing shelves of little blown glass figurines. It was magical and I could sit in front of it for a long time. She took me to my first two movies when I was six and we would go to Grand Central Station where the stares were sparkly quartz. From her apartment at night the city lights looked like a treasure chest of jewels. My mother, her oldest, died a couple years later. I don’t think my grandmother was ever able to recover.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Beautiful memories, Jane. Those magical blown glass figurines...sigh...

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Jane Hiatt's avatar

I loved them so much. Unfortunately my uncle attempted to swindle us out of our inheritance when my grandparents died. My brother took him to court and we were awarded money but all those sweet figurines were never seen again.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

That’s terrible!

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cedric johnson's avatar

Having her named Stanley reminds me of the C&W song "My name is Sue".. At least you are left with deep affection for your beloved Stanley

I'm starting to believe that these folks are still with us. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and sense the presence of my mother. You are in the stream of eternal consciousness with Stanley. She must be smiling to read your article.

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Marie Bongiovanni's avatar

Aaaaaah, your oh-so-blessed Stanley to have had you in her world, and vice versa. Your description reminds me of my own Mamaw, a term that I once heard has southern, even perhaps Appalachian origins, which reminds me that I have no clue as to why that’s how I referred to my Italian-American grandmother in South Philadelphia. Perhaps because, as sing the Indigo Girls, “when God made me born a Yankee he was teasing.” Grazie mille for creating such a lovely portrait of your grandmother and the palpable love you shared.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Thank you, Marie!

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Julie Hutson's avatar

For our ancestors who pour into us the kind of love that sustains us and makes us believe in ourselves....so much thanks.

Thank you for sharing Stanley with us.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Julie, yes and so much yes. Thank you, and thanks for reading.

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Sherry Lowman's avatar

I miss my Big Mama and PaPa. Miss the farm and sitting on top of the storm cellar. Fishing in the ponds and having outdoor fish fry’s.

But mostly I miss my dad-Nyle. He was taken from us way too soon.

Beautiful post Rebecca! Thank you!

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Oh, such memories. Beautiful.

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Nancy Rawson's avatar

Beautiful, Becca. Too many to mention anymore but will say their names.

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Jeremiah Miller's avatar

Such a beautiful testimony to your grandmother, Rebecca…thank you for sharing! I lost my grandmother when she was 94. She was like a second mom to me and I spent many of my teenaged hours helping her in the garden, milking the goats and helping with all the chores that come with a small, rural plot of land. It was precious time and helped forge indelible memories. I pity those who do not, or can not, spend time with their elders, whether by choice or by accident of geography.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Love this. Thank you.

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Melissa Firman's avatar

Grandparents are so special and important in children's lives. I still miss mine every day (especially my Mom-Mom) and I completely agree they're not that far away. Just the other night I dreamed about my Pop-Pop giving me the warmest hug and when I woke up, it felt like he'd been here. I'm pretty sure he was.

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Rebecca Gummere's avatar

Yes, oh, so much yes.

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