I don’t know how to write this post. I keep writing and deleting what I just finished typing. All I want to do is focus this blog post on some happy memories of my Grandma Dorothy. Her last days – actually, her last years – were mostly unpleasant and sad. We buried her ashes in Burnaby this afternoon. I’d rather skip that and just write about some of the fun memories I had with her.
1) Grandma Dorothy was my Grandpa’s 3rd wife. I remember being at their wedding when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I remember dancing with my Grandpa at their wedding.
2) Grandma and Grandpa loved to dance. They loved Big Band music and loved going out for fancy dinners and dancing the night away.
3) She played hopscotch with my sister and I on the street outside her house.
4) My sister and I were fascinated by her feet. She had her two littlest toes amputated on each foot – a result of wearing too small shoes when she was a kid. We would ask her to show us her toes any chance we could get. She would always comply and we’d ask her all about her missing toes. Always the same questions. Over and over.
5) She was a great singer. She sang in the Army in the Second World War. She sang all the time to us, but the song I remember the most? Tiny Bubbles by Don Ho! If you haven’t heard it before, please enjoy this lovely youtube video:
6) She was a dental hygienist in the Army and reminded us regularly about the importance of brushing our teeth and flossing.
7) She hated restaurants with plastic table cloths and plastic menus. She only liked to dine with linen. And paper menus. The rest? EW.
I just hope that where ever her spirit is now, she’s having a good time, singing and dancing. With all her toes.
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Those are lovely memories. It sounds like she lived her life very well and was a wonderful grandma to you and your sister. So sorry for your loss.
I am sure she would be very happy that you chose to share your happy memories. That’s is what I would hope for, rather than dwelling on the painful times. Well done Carol, you were a good granddaughter.