Gramma

My Gramma passed away this past Friday, April 9th. I feel that I was very close to her. She was really the only grandmother that I knew well enough to show up at her door any time I wanted. She loved me probably more than I will ever know and I loved her more than she probably ever knew.

The past few years have been very difficult. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2006 and unfortunately for us, she was pretty far into the disease when we finally got a diagnosis. But, as morbid as this may sound, fortunately for her, it went quickly. I think she was lucky enough to not go on for years and years without her memories. It was really only this past year when she lost it all. I have known people who have had Alzheimer's relatives that have been living for years, if not decades, with no memories left. I wouldn't be able to handle that if I were put in that situation. So, that's why I say fortunately for my Gramma, she progressed at a fast pace.


In rememberance of my Gramma, I'm going to list my top 10 memories of her from my childhood. They are in no particular order, just what stands out to me in my mind:


1.) Her tight, tight hugs. She knew how to give a bone-crushing hug! They were always so comforting.


2.) Lots of big pink kisses all over my face.


3.) Her rings. She always wore big, chunky rings and they were so her style.


4.) The way she would spoil me. Rotten!


5.) Her perfume. To this day, I have no idea what it was, but if I smell it, I know it.


6.) Shopping. She taught me how shopping can always make you feel better when you are down. When I missed my mom, she would take me to the mall to "mess around" for a little bit and it always seemed to work. To this day, I will spend hours at a mall when I am feeling stressed/sad/upset/etc.


7.) The way she would play Parcheesi or Dominoes with me for hours on end. She never showed any boredom playing with me. Or at least I never noticed.


8.) Being perfect in her eyes. She kept everything I ever gave her (cards, crafts, little toys) no matter what it was and always thought everything I did was wonderful. I guess that's part of being spoiled. :)


9.) Spending the night. I spent many nights at my grandparents' house and loved it. I would ransack their house looking for old treasures and pictures. Nothing was off-limits and she would tell me all the stories behind every little thing I found.


10.) Tea parties! What else needs to be said when a tea party is involved?

Eleanor Rose Huddleston McGowan: November 25, 1924 - April 9, 2010