Mike's dear grandma passed away last Sunday, May 2nd on her 84th birthday. She has gradually declined over the past 1 1/2 years. Even though it was expected, we are very sad. The funeral services were held yesterday. It was hard to be at her house without her there and to see his grandpa standing without his dear wife. She was loved so much by her family. One thing that was repeated many times in the service was in regard to her selflessness. She was a giving woman who loved people. She was the type that took care of everyone before herself. It seemed to me that she went about doing everything in a quiet manner so as not to draw attention to herself. She loved her kids, grand kids, and great-grand kids very much and we all felt it.
The first Thanksgiving I had with Mike's family was at her house. She was in the kitchen most of the time. I think she sat down only for a short few minutes the entire evening so that she could make sure everyone was eating something and to serve us. We all took turns telling the family what we were grateful for. We each had a little homemade place setting with our name on it and a leaf to write what we were thankful for. I was new to the traditions of Mike's family and I loved how every little detail was thought of and tended to. Mike's grandparents never treated me like a separate entity but immediately as part of the family. They were very welcoming.
I remember times when Tyson was a baby and she would watch him while we were at school or work. She would always take such good care of him. When I would come to pick him up, they would always be in the backyard playing or looking at the garden. One time, I didn't send any Desitin, and she made this homemade mixture of stuff instead. I was so impressed. She has made blankets for each of my kids and for us as well. She even made our picnic blanket.
I will remember simple things about her like her closed smile, the way she dressed, the way she wore her make-up, how she always would grab my hand, her positive and encouraging comments about food I would bring to family dinners, and her sweet comments about little crafts I would make or help my kids make for her.
I was only blessed to know her for the past 8 1/2 years, but she had a inpact of me. I know that for Mike- who has had her as part of his life for the past 30 years- misses her terribly. He has so many memories of her. My kids miss her as well- especially my little girl who's heart broke yesterday on the way home from the funeral. We went by the gravesite on the way out. All of the flowers were spread over the site and I took a flower for each of us. Anna held onto that flower and cried and cried until she finally fell asleep.
We love Grandma Bradshaw and we will miss her until we have the chance to see her again.
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