31 July 2011

Irish Eyes are Smiling: For Grandma

Hello friends. I'm writing this post with a heavy heart. What started out as a joyful weekend quickly took a different course early Saturday morning. J and Gus and I were out at the lake when we got the call that my grandmother's health had taken a turn for the worse. She's been in a home for the past few years and has been slowly deteriorating in mental capacity. At 94 years old, she had lived many lives over. We made it back to the city in time to say one last goodbye, say one last I love you and give her one last kiss on the forehead. She slipped away peacefully late last night.


my auntie Terry, my mom, me and Grandma

I'm sad to have lost her, but if anyone has qualified to get into heaven and deserves to enjoy it - it is my Grandma Bruneau. Born Catherine Corrigan in Ireland in 1917, she met my Canadian grandfather during the war and moved to Canada to raise her family of 5 children, including my mom Norah, the youngest. She went on to have 14 grandchildren (we all grew up fairly close to each other) and now many great-grandchildren.

She was an ever-present Grandmother. She lives in all my childhood memories due to her frequent visits up north to see us and our many trips to Winnipeg to visit her and my grandpa. She was - in one word - joyful. Humour was her weapon, defence and charm of choice. She always had a joke and could always laugh at herself. She lightened up tense situations and made us all take ourselves a little less seriously. A devout Irish Catholic - she shunned judgement for love, acceptance and forgiveness. She was truly a special lady.

She was a girly-girl's grandma. We had tea parties for hours in her basement, using only the finest china and drinking cup after cup of irish tea (a bit of tea with lots of milk and heaps of sugar). She let me play in her make-up and she was never seen without her Amway rose cream blush. In fact, on the morning she passed, she work struggling to breath, about to take her morphine and the only words that came out were 'make-up...' This makes me smile - as I too can only imagine getting through my life struggles with a little blusher to make me feel more confident.

Grandma, you will be so so missed. I love you. I thank you for being the best grandmother a little girl could ask for. Let's still talk often - okay?

15 comments:

  1. So, so sorry. Your grandma sounds like truly a one of a kind, wonderful person. Your tribute in your words about her brought tears to my eyes. She will always be with you in spirit.

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  2. oh lenore i am so sorry you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. and it's amazing how you till can "talk" and feel the spirit of your loved ones around you. i know there are some i have lost in real flesh but they have helped me get through some of the harder times of my life, because i would pray and i would also talk to grampa, or melissa, or debbie, and i always knew they were listening, too.

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  3. So sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a grandma can be a little like losing a part of the child you were. We're so lucky if we get to know them as adults. Think of the good times and remember her well and often...

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  4. I'm so so sorry Lenore! How wonderfully written! Your grandma was a very special lady and she lives on in you! Thinking if you and your family! Please ker me know if there is anything I can do! Xoxo

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  5. So sorry to hear about this Lenore. Thoughts and prayers are with you. May your many happy memories carry you through.

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  6. I'm so sorry for your loss Lenore. Your grandmother clearly lived a full life and touched many hearts along the way. You will carry her spirit with you always.

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  7. oh i'm very sorry to hear of your loss, Lenore. {{hugs}}

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  8. Oh Lenore I am very sorry to hear that your lovely Grandma has passed away...the lovely words in your post paint a wonderful picture of a very special lady :) I love the photo of you girls...you all look beautiful!

    Take care
    xx Karen

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  9. Lenore, I am so sorry~it was wonderful to read your loving tribute. Sending huge hugs..xoxo

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  10. Oh Lenore, I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful lady - how lucky you were to have such a special person in your life! xo

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  11. Lenore, such sad news. Grandmas are so special. You had the opportunity to spend years with her, what a treasure. So much of who she was radiates through you. Your tribute to her was beautifully heart warming. Sending many hugs to you and your family. xoNat

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  12. Lenore, I'm so sorry for your loss! Thinking about you today, and praying you will find comfort!!! *hug*

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  13. Thanks everyone for all your kind words, prayers, thoughts and hugs. It means a lot to know my bloggy friends are thinking of me. Stupid Blogger means I can't respond to you all directly so big hugs back, okay?

    XO
    Lenore

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  14. Oh Lenore, I'm so sorry for your loss. Big hugs. If your grandma wants, she can hang with my grandparents upstairs. They can talk about what great granddaughters we are ;)

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Thanks so much for stopping by, I love reading all your comments! If you have a specific question, please email me at lhume1@mts.net. XO Lenore