- Her gold bangles
- Her beautiful, a la natural, nails - they were even pink and perfect the day I kissed her goodbye
- Her Paul Bunyan bed
- "Oh, honey!" and "Oh, Papa!"
- Her "pretties"
- How much she and Papa Bo adored one another. Papa Bo was known to slip new diamond rings on her finger while she was sleeping. Talk about a good nap!
- Her long hair...and how much I loved watching her brush and pull it back following our afternoon naps
- She was THE best storyteller
- Peppermint ice cream and Spaghetti-O's
- How much she loved Henry and Sam
- How much she loved Wade
Nearly one year ago, in May, we all feared we were going to loose Grandmother...I made a list of memories then, too. She was taken to Baptist Hospital in OKC overnight. After the trauma she went through that night, she made the family swear to let her go...when the time came again. She knew where she was going, and although she seized each day on earth, Grandmother anxiously awaited being at the feet of Jesus.
I've never seen someone take their last breath. And I can't describe how it felt...I was partly relieved that she was finally free of physical pain, but was also overcome with helplessness and grief. She was leaving and there was nothing I could do. I loved her and watching her go was hard.
I will always be grateful to have been there. To have kissed her hand and whispered "I love you" as she entered heaven's gates.
The rest of that day, and every day since, Grandmother has reminded me that "our prayers have been answered and I've finally arrived...if you could see me now, you'd know I've seen His face...you wouldn't want me to ever leave this place".
As a special tribute to Grandmother the day she left, we feasted on Braum's burgers and peppermint ice cream - two of her favorite things.
All of the peppermint and family wore Sam out. Grandmother always called Sam, "Gus"...and then she would laugh her special laugh and tell me how wonderful it was to be a mom, and of how much she loved Henry and Gus.
While sorting through memories and photos, Jamie and Ryan announced that Grandmother had a second great-grandbaby on the way.
When we were just twinkles in her eye
Linda, Carol, Lesa, Larry, Creyton. Five L. C. Riseling's.
Gin, Spite and Malice, Fan Tan, Poker, Spades...it didn't matter. As long as they were playing together.
Grandmother and her boys. It's hard to imagine...I pray this will be me in 20 years. Hugging my two boys just like Grandmother did hers.
Grandmother and her sisters
And the family just kept growing...
I love this picture. She was so beautiful.
The bell of any ball
The Riseling’s House
(lyrics courtesy of Madison Riseling...if only I could download the song)
You’ve got kings in the corner,
And ice cream in the fridge.
Papa’s smokin’ cigars,
And Happy’s playin’ bridge.
You’ve got Mitsy up in Papa Bo’s lap,
People are always hollerin’
When Henry’s tryin to nap.
Chorus:
Christmas is always whiter at the Riseling’s house,
Spagettio’s taste better at the Riseling’s house,
See a man about a cow at the Riseling’s house,
At the Riseling’s house.
You’ve got Clark Griswold always on the television,
Teeth in, Teeth out, it’s a big decision.
Brown colored ketchup,
And out-of-date food.
Papa’s golf swing puts me in a good mood.
Pick up some hang yangs in the red Chevy nova,
Papa’s giving Mitsy the leftovers….
Christmas is always whiter at the Riseling’s house,
Spagettio’s taste better at the Riseling’s house,
See a man about a cow at the Riseling’s house,
At the Riseling’s house.
You’ve got Linda, Lesa, Creyton, Carol, and Larry.
Grand kids, Great-Grand kids,
Had Snitsy and Mitsy…
They met years ago on New Years Eve,
Made a beautiful family with all these memories.
Christmas is always whiter at the Riseling’s house,
Spagettio’s taste better at the Riseling’s house,
See a man about a cow at the Riseling’s house,
At the Riseling’s house.
1 comment:
Oh Michal , she was so beautiful. Your post brought tears to my eyes. What sweet memories and pictures. So hard to let those dear Grandma's go to Heaven I do know. Hope your heart is doing well. Great tribute.
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