Friday, March 20, 2015

The Parting Glass

Wednesday night the world lost one of the sweetest women in existence, my great grandmother Rita.


She was a baker of wedding cakes, a football lover a birdhouse crafter, and worked on a military base during WWII.
She was a wife, widow, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

She lived an incredible 92 years.



I saved the card she mailed Kyle and I for our wedding- because it always made me smile. Inside the cover she had tacked in a poem that she had cut out. It was taped inside the card with her address stickers, above it she wrote 'Alex - Kyle "advice"':

'THE THRILL OF COOKING'

No doubt you think the man you wed
Can always live on love
You'll find that this is just as false
As stars are true above
Ask older wives, I'm sure this fact
You'll find none to dispute
When the honeymoon is over
You'll have to feed the brute
The heart throbs will be over
With the honeymoon 'tis true
But the Gnawing in his stomach
Will last his whole life through.
Sometimes you'll think as years go by
You've lost his heart, THE LUMMOX
It isn't gone, it still is there
But its moved down to his stomach
If you would keep his heart in place
You'll find it all too soon
You'll have to feed his stomach
Always MORNIN', NIGHT and NOON.
I'm sure you'll want to keep him
Handsome, hale and healthy looking
So heed my words, leave off the love
Take up THE THRILL OF COOKING
And when St. Peter gives the word
YOUR MAN'S NEXT ON THE DOCKET
Stick by him to the end, my dear
PUT A SANDWICH IN HIS POCKET.

-original poem written by Estelle Branck

What a hoot right? It is sweet, funny, and old fashioned. Just the kind of advice I love to get from a grandmother at my wedding.

This woman led such a long and joy-filled life, that's all any of us hopes for right?

I did this little drawing on Wednesday, it was inspired by this song. It's kind of triumphant, but about saying goodbye. It's a tiny tribute to such a great lady. (though my writing got a little sloppy in the end!)


While I wish I could have known her better, I am so grateful for the time we spent together. I look forward to hearing more stories about her life in the future.

Until we meet again. 

Love,


Alexandra


6 comments:

  1. I had goosebumps while reading this because it was such a beautiful post, a lovely way to honor her memory. I'm so sorry for your loss. The poem of hers is amazing, couldn't help but smile!

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  2. This was beautiful, and I love the adorable cooking poem. So sweet and funny. I'm sorry about your loss, but it does sound like she lived a wonderful, full life. She will be missed I'm sure!

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear about your great grandmother, I lost my granddad last year and as painful as it was, it is a lovely opportunity to remember all that was lovely about them! I hope you have a lovely week :)

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice

    x

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  4. Thank you so much. She was such an incredible lady. I don't know where she found the poem, but I just love it! XO -Alexandra

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  5. Thank you Shea, I thought it was a funny little poem. :) Thank you so much, she really did have a great life! XO

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  6. Thank you Gabrielle. It's so tough losing grandparents.. they are such treasures. I am grateful that unlike both of my grandfathers she had a long life! :) I agree, looking back and telling stories etc. is so wonderful. Thank you for your words and for stopping by. XO -Alexandra

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