A Year ago, I lost my grandmother. My family is gathering today, one year from the day she died, to honor my grandma and what she meant to all of us. I spoke at her funeral last year and am speaking today. -April
Here are the thoughts that I am sharing at Grandma's Memorial Service:
Personally, 2007 has been a year of considerable change. It was the year of my surgery, my first time in a wheelchair, my engagement period, wedding, move to California, new job, and starting my new married life. I honestly just imagined Grandma to always be in my life and share in those big moments, like she always had. But the 2007 year began with the loss of my beloved Grandma.
I believe that every person, in their own unique way, creates a legacy in their lifetime by which others can live long after that person has left us. For those of us who remain, Grandma Sion has truly created a legacy to uphold and fulfill in our daily lives. Carrying those out is a true honor and responsibility by means of the various facets that Grandma has made her own.
Grandma Sion represented so many years of happy times for all of us. For her family, she was the symbol of unity and an image of love. She was a peacemaker and our glue that always reminded us of how important family is. For years, the Cadiente family would gather and celebrate every big occasion: Birthdays, Graduations, Anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Family truly meant so much and it was obvious how important the bonds that connect family and loved ones were to her. She always babysat her grandchildren and cooked amazing meals for her family all the time. She made every effort to ensure that everyone gets along and sacrificed her own time to attend every event that was important to each of us. She related to us in such a unique way. As each generation gets older, and grandchildren are now starting to become parents themselves, it’s important to maintain the ties that bind us and focus on the importance that grandma and grandpa have placed on family unity and love over the years.
Grandma would have wanted us to continue the tradition of celebrating every occasion together and being there for one another. She would have wanted us to support each other through the tough times. She would have wanted us to love and share that love through generous acts, for she was more of a giver than a receiver. It is all of these elements love, spirit, family, unity, joy and kindness that are fabrics by which Grandma created her tapestry of life. However each us knew her by-Sion, Grandma, Mom, Sister-she has also always been a child of God and now stands beside him to make sure that we all carry forth all of that which she has taught us.
Our family is a tree, with all the branches and leaves leading back to a strong and sturdy woman with roots deep in the ground. It is still difficult to imagine life without her, the foundation that gave us all life. Knowing that my own children will never know her, does make me sad. Her body may be gone, but what makes me happy is knowing that she will always continue to live on in the deepest fiber of our being. Her life and blood and memory live on in us, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And long after I've passed on, all those qualities that made her my Grandma will linger on in my children's children.
Grandma... you have been more to us than you can possibly imagine. Whatever the distance be physically between us, you can look down upon us from heaven and know that we personally accept the incredible honor and responsibility of carrying on your traditions and love in all that I do. Grandma, you have created your own dynamic legacy of love, spirit, family, unity, joy and kindness. As the dove of life that represents all that you are, now soars in heaven above, please rest, sit back in that big cozy armchair which is now heaven for you, and know that the world is a better place for the legacy you’ve created. Thank you for your love and many smiles. While the lord’s hands have gently embraced your loving soul and taken you to everlasting peace, each and every one of us will continue to hold your memory and your traditions close to our hearts.
For her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was our childhood. And for her children and husband, she was their entire life. I know deep in my heart that even though she was not physically near us this year, that she shared all my major 2007 milestone events with me, standing right by my side. I felt her presence and I love her for it. We're her legacy and life's work, and I'm proud and grateful every day to belong to such noble and kind blood.
We miss you Grandma!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment