The Face Behind the Blog - A Personal Memorial Day Tribute

I'm participating in David Airey’s meme - The Face Behind the Blog which was brought to my attention by my dear blogging friend Wendy Piersall  I love when bloggers reveal more of their personal lives, like this awesome post by Wendy Can You Be Vulnerable and Still Run a Business?   

So I'm going to join in and share with you that over the last couple weeks we have experienced the loss of both of my husband's grandmothers.  These phenomenal women were both in their late 90's and were surrounded with loved ones when they passed after long illnesses.  I only wish I could have known them both as my husband knew them when they were younger and more active.  But even so, it was a pleasure to know them both.  So here is my little tribute to them. 

This is "Gertie" (or Big G as she called herself) last Christmas after she moved into the nursing home.  That's me and my awesome husband, Alan with her.  I have to say that, even though I was with both of my grandmothers when they passed, I have never experienced such an amazing tribute as that which was paid to her.  For 3 days, there were many friends and family in the hospital with her as she neared the end.  Many of us were there at the end as well. This vigil was followed by 3 more days of family reunion, wake and funeral.   

Her son Al, and his wife Maureen took such awesome care of her and arranged a wonderful celebration of her life.  Maureen reads my blog all the time and I just want to tell her how much I appreciate her and how much Alan & I appreciate everything she sacrificed over the past 10 years to take care of Gertie.  And how much we appreciate all the time and effort she and Al put into making the family reunion events so memorable.  Maureen, You are the Best!  ; )

Alan's other grandmother, Carmen was a "feisty old broad"  right up to the end.  Even at 95 years old, she was in relatively good health and was only taking one prescription!  She lost her husband many years ago and never quite got over the loss, so I know she is happy to be with him again.

Here is the last photo we have of her in good health from our family reunion with Alan's mom's side of the family last summer in VA. She lived in Virginia so we didn't get to see her often.

We will miss both of them but will always remember and celebrate the long and full lives they had. And of course I have to always bless them for making it possible for me to have my husband who I adore madly and can't imagine living without. 

With lots of Love, Blessings & Peace...

Won't you share in the meme and leave a comment here so we can share your Face Behind the Blog?

Comments

[David Airey :: Creative Design ::]

Hello Ariane,

Thank you for participating, and for the kind link to my post.

Quite the moving story you write there. It's made me think about my relationships and how much they mean to me.

Bye for now.

[Kara Sheridan]

Thanks so much for sharing your face behind the blog. I've been subscribed for a few months now and I love your tips and suggestions. As a busy PhD student dreaming of the days I'll juggle this crazy career and my family I can't wait to put everything in action. I started my own blog not long ago and hoped to start off with the face behind the blog approach and then move into my theme/mission:-)Here's my blog if you'd like to see a face of a reader:
http://karasheridan.com
Thanks for your hard work!
Kara

[Maureen McComas]

Ariane--

Boy--if Gertie only knew she was on the blog!!! Thank you for acknowledging us both, but here's my chance to "toot" my horn about Skip (Al). He did things for his mother while in the nursing home, that I know some daughters wouldn't do. When she needed to be cleaned or changed, he didn't wait for a aide, he just did it--no questions asked. Even though we don't have children, I told him that he has shown all of his nephews (& nieces) what it is to be a man. No getting around it, I got one of the "good" ones and I'm so thankful that 35 years ago we ended up working together at the NJ State Police.

Secondly, thanks to both you & Alan for all of your thoughtfulness during Gertie's last stay at the hospital. Thank you for thinking to bring food, water & goodies to the hospital--after 38 hours it was a welcomed relief.

Not only did you become our "niece", you are also a valued friend.

I just wanted to let everyone know, that how you appear on your blog, is truly the way you are--kind and loving.

Love,
Maureen

[Ariane Benefit]

Dear Maureen, you are so sweet to respond! And you are so right about Skip being one of the "good" ones. Gertie raised her sons to be wonderful husbands & fathers. There is a reason there haven't been any divorces in the McComas family! I'm thankful every day to Alan's parents and to Gertie for raising the man of my dreams even though I had to wait till I was 41 to find him! As a bonus, I got you and Skip as treasured friends and family! I'm honored to be a part of the McComas family.

Love, Ariane : )

[Ariane Benefit]

Kara, Thanks for writing and CONGRATULATIONS on your new blog! LOVE your bright and happy graphics and your dog is sooo cute! : ) Would love to learn more about digiscrapping. Looks really neat! All the best,
Ariane

[dani]

Hi! Just posted Face behind the blog as to follow your meme, do visit my blog to know more about me, thanks

Lonely hurts