Approximately two years ago my dad died. When he passed away, I did two things: first, I went out and got a puppy (DH had nothing he could say in defense, it lived in my lap for at least two solid weeks). Second, I also started a blog as a method of additional stamping therapy and what a great experience it has been to date. Who knew you could 'meet' such great people through the internet? Although I have to admit, I met my DH through an internet dating site. (shhhh!!! don't tell anyone!)
I love blog hopping and seeing everyone else's fabulous artwork and enjoy sharing my projects online here as well.
So to thank those who wander across this space once in a while I'm offering some blog candy that will end one week after my blogaversary. I'll choose one person at random (you know the drill) and what I have here is a yard each of ribbon roses in pink and cream, a pack of Frost 6x6 DP from Memory Box, a deep edge Martha Stewart punch Garden Gate and a stamp set I have never used from Close to my Heart called Seed Packets and it has, of course, a rose stamp inside it.
To win my blog candy simply tell me about someone in your life who you love or have loved . . .
Instead of talking about my dad, I'm just going to say a few words about my grandmother. I only saw her once a year when she flew to visit us but I looked forward to those visits all year long. She was the quintessential grandmother, big lap to sit in to hear stories or songs, arms always ready to hug you, a constant smile, a great cook and unconditional love radiating from every fiber of her being. I treasured my time with her and miss her still, but she taught me my very first lessons in life about love and what it looks like in one of its best forms.
Now its your turn.
Blog candy ends midnight on February 21st.
35 comments:
Lump in throat...ahem...that is a great memory of you with your Grandmother. And your blog candy is lovely!
When I think of love, and the one person...it has been and will always be my mom. Which makes going through this time doubly difficult, knowing she is not where she wants to be and doing every thing I can to make it possible for her to go home.
She became a mom when my Dad was able to get custody of my brother and I. With a new baby, she suddenly had a nine year old (my brother) and a six year old (me)...to take care of.
She always had a smile, was a good listener, and always a good home cooked dinner and some days a cherry cobbler for dessert! I don't have a lot of childhood memories, but one thing I do recall is she would sometimes wake me up singing "Red Red Robin"...she gave our family sunshine every day!!
Well let's see.....My sister Jo! She has always had strength, in spite of some lows that have come her way. Although she does have her low moments, she just picks up where she dropped everything and trudges on. I give her alot credit for raising 3 kids and having to deal with our demanding mom. She is the only one I know that I can call at any hour, about anything, especially to to vent. I don't expect her to solve my problems, but she always comes up a quick phrase that I can use later. I would and have done anything she asks of me, because I may older, but she will always be a big sister to me.
Oh, Peggysue, your title should be "Get the tissues out!" I remember so well when you lost your dad. Hugs to you. I also remember you getting your puppy! That is such a sweet story about your grandmother. My grandma Smith (my dad's mom) was the picture of choosing joy in adversity. She was what she called a "Green widow" at about 18. Her husband left her alone and pregnant. She remarried a few years later and with 4 kids (3 by my grandfather), she was widowed by his very tragic death I won't go into detail about. Several years later she remarried (you think she'd have learned by then!). After they were married the man told her that she could "choose George or him." George is my dad. She said, "Well, I've had him longer, so I'll keep him." Through it all, she was grounded in her faith in the Lord Jesus as her Savior. I truly don't think she could have made it any other way. She had no money to speak of. She never was the "spoiling grandma" with lots of gifts. Yet, she gave us all the gift of love. She would tell each of us we were here favorite. Her greatest joy in life was being able to say, "All of my grandchildren have professed faith in Jesus as their Savior." That's the greatest love and gift she could give!
Ah, choosing only one person is tough. I must choose both my parents. I'm still lucky enough to have them living. Dad is 90 and mom will be 85 soon. They are the 'rock' of our family and we have been blessed with their presence each year for the family gatherings. They are active in the community and at church as much as possible always thinking of others in need. But it is having the 'listening ears' and 'sage' advice that I will always cherish.
I agree with the previous comments, first I need a tissue, second how to choose just one love to speak of?
Love is so different depending on the person you love &/or are in love with....I am going to have to go with my husband though...in the beginning he was more confident in his love for me than I was in mine with him if that makes any sense? I am so thankful that he was though as otherwise there probably would have been a much different outcome in my life & lives that have come from our love. My husband is my rock, my best friend and the love of my life! We have been through so much and he is still there at my side, holding my hand and loving me...he is an amazing man whom I have grown to love deeper each day - we have held our angels in our arms to say goodbye to and have been able to share in the presence of little lives unfolding before us each day & everyday he still surprises me, inspires me supports me & I am truly blessed with him in my life.
I think first of my Mom, and it's getting tough now because she has Alzheimer's and her memory is going very quick. There was a time (late teenage years) when I didn't like her at all - hated her even, but boy, I finally wised up and I'm so glad I did. She doesn't live close by, and that's adding to the toughness now, but we keep in touch by email and phone nearly every day - and I'm finding it's OK to repeat things from the day before!
Thanks for the reminder to keep those things that are important in front of us every day! And thanks for the chance at some goodies too.
Wow, sniff, sniff.... love the story of you and your grandmother. The love of my life is my dear husband. We will celebrate 38 wonderful years together in April, and are truly best friends. I nearly lost him in 1980 when our house burned, and he sustained burns over 80% of his body. I think that we both realized that you can never take one single day together for granted. Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful candy, and Happy Blogaversary, dear friend!
Wow, this is tough. I have read all the comments so far and with your story at the top, let's just say i am humbled. There are so many people I could talk about, but I am going to talk about my (step) dad. He and my mother married when I was 15 1/2. I was not happy about it at the time. They moved us "out to the sticks" and I missed all my friends and had to switch high schools between my sophomore and junior years. It took me a while to come around but as I have gotten older I have come to realize that my mother never made a better decision :) He is my dad as far as I am concerned. He took us in (3 kids) and has always treated us as if we were his own flesh and blood, not step kids. He is 75 now and I worry about losing him as much as I do my mother.
On that note, I will just say thanks for this opportunity to think about this - one person whom we love - gives perspective to life :)
Happy Blogaversary, PS! What a sweet question to ask. The first person who comes to mind for me is my mom. She is my friend, my supporter, my caregiver when I need one, and the older I get, the more I appreciate all she has and continues to do for me. She is also one of the strongest, most caring and most generous people I know, and I only hope I can emulate a little of that each day! (((HUGS))) to you!
Oh Peggysue - happy Blogaversary and what a way to celebrate! Your story is very moving - I too have a story about my beautiful Nana - a praying Nana who was the matriach and ROCK of our family. My DH says he has never seen an elderly persona treated like my Nana was - she was the Queen Mum of our family. Strong, Godly, full of compasion - quick to hug and always had a hearty laugh. In her later years she could not recall my name and called me 'That Girl!.' Three years ago I did a mercy dash home to New Zealand to be there for ther last days here on earth. It was with such joy, washed in sadness that I held her hand, as the family surrounded her and watched her go home!' My Uncle stood at the foot of the bed and said it was only fitting that we say the Lords Prayer - if My Nana had not already gone, her heart would have burst with pride in the knowledge that in her going, she pointed the family to God!!! I kissed her and whispered, 'see you there Nana! I cannot wait!! {{{hugs}}}
I'm loving the stories Peggy Sue.
I'm going to choose my Dad. He is always so supportive of each of us. Whether it was a little extra gas $ for college or time spend with my husband and sons. He is always learning and sharing his interests with me. His current obsession is photography/photoshop of which he is teaching me so much.
Thanks for sharing. I lost my brother at age 45 to lung cancer (5 yeas after he quit smoking) He was such a wonderful role model as a Dad and family man. He never forced his opinion on you but always had words of wisdom if you cared to listen. We all miss him greatly.
Since it is coming up on my late grandfathers birthday I am choosing him. Love you Poppy!! I spent a lot of time with him and my brother and I used to go to Nan and Poppys house often on weekends for sleep overs. Everytime we'd go I used to live making a special trip to the grocery store with poppy while my nan and brother stayed back and made raisin cookies (one of his favourite things to do). Poppy would always pick up a can of Vienna sausages and tapioca pudding for me as a treat. Looking back I think wow what kind of kid was I?? Poppy Wouldve bought me anything in the whole store and I chose canned sausages and tapioca pudding he mustve gotten a good chuckle at that! We'd stay up late with them to watch Nashville. It was wonderful!!! Poppy would let me put barrettes in his "very sparse" hair and steel his freedent gum from his pocket. What wonderful memories!!
Let me wish you a Happy Blogaversary first, and say how happy I am to have found your blog! This is my first visit but not my last. Thinking about someone special, I am going the another direction (generationally) from most of the others. Instead of choosing my mom or dad (whom I adored!), I want to share with you about my daughter. She has 3 children of her own, and she exemplifies all the warm and loving traits which her grandparents had. She is strong in the face of adversity, always has a quick laugh for those who need a smile, and always sees the best in people. She's a great mom to her kids, a wonderful wife to her husband (who adores her!), and has such a generous spirit that she has become MY role model! She is the one all family members turn to for a bright spot in their day. Thanks, darling daughter -- you are one of God's miracles. :-)
What a lovely tribute in honor of your dear father. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I have a deep-rooted love for my great Aunt Kathryn who is 105 blessed years young! She still has the presence of mind and I so look forward to every visit I have with her to chat about the days when my grandmother was a little girl, etc. She's filled me with so many treasured memories that are forever locked in my mind and I'm so grateful that I've had her in my life for SO MANY wonderful years!
Congrats on two years!! I have a hard time picking out just one person. Each person is near and dear to me for different reasons. My Mom: taught me how to love a child unconditionally and to always be supportive. Through that I have seen our relationship grow deeper because I can tell her anything knowing that she will never chastise me. My Dad: Has always been there for me in a drop of a hat if I needed it. My Hubby: Has loved me no matter what I feel about myself. My kids: Now is the moment and the moment never lasts long.
wow... 2 years already? seems in some ways that it was just the other day... Congratulations on the upcoming blogaversary!!
you know who I'm choosing to go with... my dear husband... how could I not?! an example of steadfast faith... faithful to the end... he was my everything... I just wish God hadn't called him Home quite so soon...
First, congrats on your blogaversary! I don't comment too much but I love seeing your projects ♥
What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. How awesome to have memories like that. Thank you for sharing them with us!
I am going to choose two people, my dad and stepmom. They have been married for almost 4 years now, but have been together for about 10. They have taught me what love is, and what a real marriage should look like. It never ceases to amaze me how after all these years if you didn't know them or how long they have been together you would think they just fell in love. If it weren't for them and the many life lessons I have learned by observing them, I think my life and my family would be much much different, and not in a good way. ♥
oh wow..thanks so much for the sweet comment you left on my blog today! Can I pick you to love? haha.
WEll, I can tell you that I love my youngest son. He is sweet and kind and knows just when to buttery me up with a kiss. Of course, I would have to say that my other two kids are delightful too. I'm really, really blessed to be their mother.
Happy Bloggaversary!
I'm sure your missing your Dad, and what an unusual time to get a puppy. I'm sure you bonded greatly over those weeks to follow. And I'm so glad you started a blog, your words are always so meaningful. I love visiting.
LOL, that is so cute, I think your the first person I know who met their dh online. So very trendy!
Such a sweet grandmother, you do her memory proud.
I think I would choose my husband (not that I want to share him) but his grace and compasion are beyond compare. When I couldn't take care of myself, he took care of me. I won't go into detail here, but he is one of a kind and I am beyond honored to call him my husband.
Happy Blogaversary and what a fun chance to win!! Let's see...I love my MIL. She is a wonderful woman who truly loves unconditionally...even her daughter-in-laws! In fact, I think she loves us MORE than her sons...but I did not say that out loud. ;)
Happy Blogoversary!! You are creating such wonderful projects with this month's MFP sets. I love to drop by to see what the rest of the DT is doing with Faith's fabulous sets! What a wonderful memory of your beloved Grandmother. I'm blessed to have so many wonderful people to love in my life. My husband is the most important to me!! My best friend and life partner. Together we can get through anything. I love him with all of my heart!!
Wishing you a wonderful day!
I have enjoyed reading all the comments about love. It made me realize how blessed I am to have had so many LOVES in my life. I love my husband of 20 years, my four kids, my mom and dad and my in laws. Each person has given me some love in return. But the most amazing love was a God who loved me when I was a sinner, his enemy, and he loved me so much that he gave his only son for me. It is so beyond what I can even imagine.
Mrs. Witte...a dear lady who broke through the barrier of my family life to touch me in my teenage years and helped me become some of who I am today. She died 21 years ago but I do think she had an impact during some needful years of my life. She gave me a framed picture which hangs in my master bathroom with lily of-the-valleys and Ps. 30:5b...I cherish her memory and example.
Happy Blogaversary! The person that comes to mind when I think of love is my hubby. Five years ago, we started moving for his company & we have grown so close. We haven't been super close to family & have had to rely on each other more. He is such a Spiritual leader of our home. And just recently our oldest son has started training in archery. He comes home after working all day to work with Devin for 3 hours an evening. They drive on Saturday to spend time with the coaches & he does it all without complaint. He models love in so many ways. He is an incredible man & I am so blessed to be his wife.
Happy Blogaversary. Such a special story about your grandmother and lovely to read the other comments too.
My husband is always there for me and supports everything I do. He's my number one fan of my cardmaking too and really encourages me.
I know what you mean about blogging being a blessing with so many wonderful papercrafters to share it with.
Fate, destiny. The whole earth has such destinies as men walk on it. All people are happy in the same way. All people are unhappy in different ways. We make cards that deliver the greatest love the world. Each card is beautiful in itself. Each carries the spirit of love. Give love, this is the greatest happiness of the world.
What a wonderful opportunity to share about my own grandmother. I just started my own blog and it is called "My Grammy's Attic", named in honor of my Grammy. She was such a wonderful influence on me as a young child. I was the only granddaughter (and the youngest), and I think she took extra pains to make me feel special instead of feeling like an outsider among the boys. She always had something good baking in the oven when we went to visit, and her heart was as warm as her cookies. She loved being close to family and to the grandkids especially, so it was a real surprise when I learned (at about age 7 or 8) that she was my mom's step-mother -- her own mother passed on when my mother was young. It turns out, my Grammy never had any children of her own and she married my grandfather later in life. I think she taught me more about what "family" really meant that anyone else in my life. It's not always 'biological', -- sometimes it's those you choose love who are the closest family.
What a sweet idea to share about those you love in Feb when it's all about the love I'd have to say your story is so caring and it's the little things we do in life that make all the differences and sometimes a kind word can help a friend when they need it. I do think all the wonderful people I've met in blog land just shows how caring and supportive other you can be to a total stranger that we can soon call friends :)
hugs Nikki
What a great idea i have to my family My husband, dughter,son are the loves of my life I wouldn't know what to do without they are the world to me. Every minute I spend with them melts my heart to watch my children grown up into adult hood and what kind loving hard working adults they are turning into. and growing older with my husband is the best.
Hugs
Congratulations on your second blogaversary! I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I am glad that starting this blog and getting a dog helped you through that time though. It is hard for me to pick one person that I love but if I have to it would probably be my daughter. She is the greatest gift I have even been given and I cherish her everyday. She means the world to me.
oh dear, I have tears in my eyes and goose bumps in my body...
while I was reading about your story with grandma I just felt like it were mine.. I recently lost mine (2 months) and I miss her terribly..
I posted a litte note on my blog about how much I miss her(http://handmadebyvivi.blogspot.com/2011/02/missing-you-grandma.html)...
She also lived far away from me and I used to visit her once a year during Christmas.. and the distance meant nothing because I loved her so much.. much more from the other grandama that lived close to me in the city!!
anyway, just 2 weeks before she dies, she was in the hospital, in the cti room... and I got to visit her..
On the day I could enter in the cti room was the day I was celebrating my birhtday, but did not say a word to her...
while we were talking about her pain, she said: "... wait, it is your birthday and I'm here in the hospital.. I wont be able to get you a present.. but when I leave, I'll get it for you and send to your house..."
omg, I could not believe that my beloved Grandma could remember my birthday...
I said to her that I wanted her out of the hospital as present.. and when she was feeling well to travel for 4 hours in a car, I wanted her to visit my new home that I bought... she said: "ok, it is a deal"
well, 2 weeks later she left to join God...
Doesnt matter how long it will pass, I'll love my grandma the same way as always...
I'm so glad I took few videos of her, telling me stories about when my Greatgrandparents came from Italy.... I can see her talking, hear her voice forever...
I cannot image how hard and painful is to lose a Dad or a Mon, I still have both.. but I feel your pain!!
and I'll tell you what I was told.. It will get better.. well, I'm counting on that!!!
oh and happy boganiversary!!
xxx
Vivi
Now that is something one has neber asked to win a blog candy. So its really amazing and through this we get a chance to sit by and remember whom we love. I have always loved my parents (all daughters do) . I know ther are always there whenever I need them. Secondly, My husband is one person whom I love the most although I do not express it more ofte. I find our relationship veru unusual. We have huge differences but still want to be with each other. Whenever I need help. i know he will fume, but then he does help me out. When he is not there I miss him and when he is around, i,m casaul cos I know he is there. I want to do things his way and he mine so there starts the confusion. iTs really silly but we still behave mushy at sometimes after 18 years and two kids. this is love!
What a nice way to give out a candy!
I'm so sorry about your loss. My biggest love I haven't lost, and I hope I never do. My biggest love goes to my 6 months old son. Without him I don't know where in the world I would be, but it would have been a bad place, that's for sure. My pregnancy was unexpected, but now I couldn't be more thankful, he has given me so much. More than I ever thought another humanbeing could ever give me.
Have a lovely night (atleast it is here in Norway) Hugs!
thanks for sharing sorry for your loss.
My biggest loves are my children, it is so nice to watch them and see things in there perspective.
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