This morning, I received the news that my Grandma Mickow passed away. She was 96 years old but I still find myself trying to handle the news. My entire family knew this day was coming soon as over the past year her health continued to fail. But now that she is gone, I find myself writing this with a sad heart and the tears forming in my eyes. She was my last Grandparent and maybe another reason why this is hard. Last night as I was driving home, I called my Mom to see how she was doing and could tell she was emotionally and physically drained. After I hung up, a flood of memories came flowing into my head. I drove in silence just remembering my times with her over the past 37 years. It's the small things that I will remember about her and not the past year when the Grandma I knew really didn't exist. When I was growing up, she lived in Elmhurst with a big yard and next to a huge park. (Also where I played catch with her 80 year old brother who also showed me how to throw a knuckle ball). Every Christmas Eve was at her house with everyone dressed up, drinking and eating where we used to (and still do) sing carols around the piano. My brother and I used to stay overnight from time to time, to this day she made the best spaghetti I ever had, I don't even know how she made it but it was so good. She always had Honey Smacks for breakfast and I tried Chop Suey for the first time with her.......and still don't like it. Grandma was a good German who enjoyed her beer, even up to last year she had a few at Charlie's birthday, and a devout Lutheran. In high school, I introduced her to my girlfriend at the time and her response was, "she's a good girl, for a Catholic". In 96 years, I keep thinking of all she's seen and been through. She has 7 grandkids and 6 great grand kids and the last was born a few months ago. Part of me thinks she was holding on so she could meet her last great grand kid and that was what she was waiting for in order to move on. I also know that my Mom is surely having a very tough time today. Even at 96 years old, she is still her Mom and losing a parent has to be so incredibly hard and one thought I can't even fathom. Some people say that she is going to a better place, yes this is true but many times doesn't ease the pain for the people that are still here. Later today, I will go to my parents house and just hug my Mom for as long as she needs. I know that my Grandma is now up there with my Grandpa, looking down upon me and my family, in no pain and will smile watching my kids grow up. With Thanksgiving in two days, I will say a prayer and give thanks for the time I had with her, the love she shared with me and the memories I have.
Good bye Grandma, I love you!
Great Grandma with G and Lil soon after they were born.
