Mary Lee... thanks for the suggestion. I was actually thinking of sending her flowers or a nice plant. She loves azaleas.
Pat....thank you. I know it will go away eventually, it was just such a shock. She was such a strong woman, and at the end she was so frail, like a ghost of herself. But I know now she is her old self, probably bossing everyone around in heaven.
DATE CHANGED for the College Station RU-Sat, April 12th
Kim there isn't much I can say that hasn't been said already, but I might add that I remember the great big empty space in my heart when one of my loved ones has passed away.
It feels as if nothing will ever be the same again, but with time even though things are not the same, they become all right and life brightens up again.
May the Lord comfort and console you during this difficult time.
Your friend;
Josephine.
Kim, flowers would be more long-lasting. I was just thinking an e-card would be more immediate. Maybe drop a hint that flowers are on the way.
Kim, my heart goes out to you. The thoughts above are wise and hopefully give you some comfort. A way to say goodbye without a formal funeral might to plant a tree in her memory. If you and your mom and dad want a way to say goodbye, you might find a special spot, go plant a tree for her - one that will be something you can watch grow since you all seem happy to be Texans now (smile). My dear mother was cremated and then transported later by us back to her final resting place, but it was good to have a service of remembrance fairly close to her death. I also now remember her not as she was - not recognizing even me - and know she is whole again, feeling no pain or confusion. When I see birds (she loved and painted birds beautifully) now, acting very tame when they shouldn't, I think she's there with me. Thus the image of the hawk brought tears to my eyes. God go with you in the coming days, my dear. Know we are praying for you.
I think planting a tree in her memory is a great idea. Or whatever favorite plant she had. We have my Dad's last Christmas tree planted where I can see it from the breakfast table and it's a great comfort to me.
Silverfluter, what a special remembrance of your dad. I can't think of anything more special than that for you. Thanks for sharing.
I think a tree is a great idea too. Or even a favorite rose variety, or something like that that will live on. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but over time that memorial will become a special place that you'll visit just to remember her.
Kim, I was only 16 when I was at the bedside of my aunt when she passed away. I too thought I would never remember her without thinking of that awful scene.
I have posted a photo of how I now remember her the best. She had the neatest cottage garden and the photo is on the outside edge of it.
Hugs!!
Charlene
Thank you again everyone. My grandmother had a bit of a black thumb with plants, but when I go back at some point I plan to dig up some of the daylilies along the spring house below their house and take some cuttings of the rose of sharon. They both never needed any attention and always bloomed.
I would definitely like to get my mom something to plant, but I am thinking that we can pick it out together. Today I am going to pot up some seedlings, it always gives me time to think and I enjoy it. I spoke with my prof about the exam and he has agreed to move it up a few days so I have a little time.
I really appreciate being able to talk with all of you here. It has helped me a lot. I have been looking at her picture all morning, and remembering the little things that made her unique. I miss her a lot, more so than just living away from her as I have done for many years now. To know that the next time I go back to Ohio she won't be there, greeting me with a smile, sending me off with a kiss and a 'You behave yourself'. But she isn't suffering now, and that makes me feel better.
You won't believe what happened to me today. I went to Lowes to pick up some bird seed and when I went to check out, all of my cards were gone from my wallet! My credit card, debit card, student ID, Kohls card...all gone. I panicked...I had purchased gas yesterday afternoon and then went to the lab for a minute to pick up my notes, I could not think of a time when someone could have robbed me. I was in tears....now of all times. After canceling my cards and searching my truck and purse a million times over, I threw my wallet across the room in a huff....and my insurance card fell out. A thought occurred to me....perhaps the cards fell out? Of course the wallet is buttoned shut, but if the insurance card came out, perhaps the others could have as well. Of course even if they did fall out there was slim hope that they were not taken by someone. I called the grocery store who eventually directed me to the gas station and I asked them if anything was turned in. To my surprise....IT WAS! Someone had found all my cards and turned everything into the gas attendant. I am still going to keep an eye on my accounts, but I just couldn't believe it. I wish they would have left their name so I could have thanked them. My dad said my grandmother was watching over me today, and I believe she was. It is good to know there are still some honest people out there.
Yes Kim, I think your grandmother was watching over you. And there are still honest people out there, that was great.
Josephine.
Whew! What a day Kim. As awful as your situation is right now, I guess maybe this day is kind of a snapshot of what could have been.((((((((HUGS))))))))
Yes...that's true. And I picked up 2 azaleas at Lowes today, one for me and one for my mom to plant in memory of my grandmother. Kind of our own little memorial service. I think she will like it.
I just read the news, Kim....we're so sorry for your family's loss. Your Grandmother sounds like she was the foundation,... the matriarch of your family....much like mine was. I too was just numb when we lost her 7 yrs ago.....but I now can look back without the urge to cry a little
bit....in fact ,...it feels good to remember her and our times together.
God's speed with your healing and comfort. Lee & Dee
Hi Kim,
Sorry to hear about your grandmother!!
Sending prayers to you and your family..
Wanted to let you know I will be at the swap on April 12th...
Trishann
Sounds great Trishann....thanks everyone for your thoughts during this time. I am looking forward to the swap.
Great to hear you can come, Trishann.
Kim - still thinking of you.
Just now catching up on the thread. My prayers are with you, Mom, and Dad, Kim. Like Pat and others mentioned above, we only see the end picture in our head just after our loss, but it won't last. Each time you see that go back in your mind when you heard her laugh and saw her smile. That is the way you need to remember her. ((hugs!))) Best of luck on your test too.
I hope to come to CS and ride down with Debness. I don't think she has made it to CS yet, so a lot of you will be able to meet her if all goes as planned. We have both volunteered for the Tropical Butterfly Exhibit that runs the whole month of March at the FW Botanic Garden, so I am sure the pictures will show up on DG. I am sure she will have plants or seeds for butterfly gardening to share at the RU.
Thanks Sheila...my mom and I are planting azaleas (her favorite) in memory of her the next time she is off of work. I think it will help bring some closure. I do hope Deb can make it, I met her at the FW swap and she is a blast. And always has lots of butterfly goodies!
Also...I wanted to apologize to those who sent me checks. I meant to deposit them right after I made the reservation. I did that because my bank is on the opposite side of town from the park. However, with the family situation the deposit got put on hold. I know how it is when you forget about a check that needs to clear, and I hate it when someone waits to deposit one I wrote. So I am sorry. But I did deposit them today, so they should clear this week for you.
Kim
Kim, I have not been on DG in a while. We send you a hug and our deepest sympathy.
My brother died suddenly at age 46 in 1985 and he had a wonderful minature rose plant that we have nurtured and my mom(now deceased) made cuttings and now we have several of "Arvin's Rose" and when it blooms I often go to the bush and visit and talk to my brother and bring some blooms into the house and know how he loved plants and this one was special to him and now to our family. You will find the azalea planting very theraputic and also the plants you plan to get from your grandparents homeplace. Time is a great healer as is gardening.
I am attaching a picture of the rosebush that we treasure.
Bless you Kim.
Bob
Just wanted to bump this up so everyone knows the correct date for the roundup. I also added a link for a map to the park.
:) Kim
Kim - Are you sure that Google map is correct? The arrow points to Texas Avenue, and when I checked out the parks maps, the park is on Earl Rudder Fwy.
I think the Google map is just one of College Station....
Anyway, now I'm confused. Which isn't the first time.
Thanks ceejay, for some reason google won't let me link to the address, just the town. So I've replaced it with a mapquest one. If anyone knows a better way let me know.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=central+park+college+station+Tx&ie=UTF8&ll=30.620482,-96.320486&spn=0.037153,0.080338&z=14&iwloc=A
I plan to be there with Louisiana Iris and Magenta Spreen. Pretty much the same old same old for me.
Bob
This message was edited Feb 21, 2008 5:20 PM
Good to hear from you Bob, please save me some of that beautiful LA Iris.
Josephine.
Hi Bob! Glad you'll be there. I have some of your iris from last year up. Now I'll get to see what they look like. Can't wait. What is Magenta Spreen?
Thanks Bob for the link...not sure why I couldn't do it...too long of a week for me I guess. Lol!
Bob those were beautiful iris! But mine haven't come up yet. Should they be up already?
Bob, I hope to make off with some of your LA irises this year! Is there a chance of the radishes and garlic spread? Yummm!
Count me in officially Kim! I am coming with Sheila!! I can't wait to meet everyone that I haven't yet. :-)!!!! Where do I send a check and how much?
Sounds great Deb! No need to send money now, we will be collecting it at the RU.
:) Kim
Sorry Kim, I just told Deb, I had to change my trip to WA to a week later and I won't be able to make CS. The 28th would have worked, but I can't make the 12th. Next year or maybe this October ! We can't all be there all the time. Y'all have fun!
Magenta Spreen is an invasive that grows a bush 10 feet tall and 6' in diameter. It's flowers are of no great interest. If Before it dies, it scatters a hundred bazillion seeds. If the grasshoppers cover it and seriously chow down on it's leaves, it will grow bigger and bushier.
Now for the upside. Who needs a flower when it is covered with soft bright edible leaves that glow magenta at the center of each leaf grouping. This plant is easy to pull up and weed. It is good in soup, salad, straight of the plant or as a pot herb. As a green, it is only beaten by spinach for nutrition, and it is higher protein than spinach. It is magnificent, drought tolerant, when it starts to wilt, water it, no harm done. It also transplants with the greatest success I have ever seen on a plant.
Here is the funny part, I have given this invasive to about ten people who I work with. All ten have it, and have grown it for several years. And they ask for more from me each year.
There is a picture of it here on the PlantFiles Database
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51557/
It requires no fertilizer, seriously one of the requirements is no fertilizer. Iron or calcium are good, do not use nitrogen fertilizer on it if you want to eat it. It will hyperaccumulate nitrates.
LA Iris are a Southern Plant that grows best in winter. If your Louisiana iris are not up by now, you need to get some replacements.
Bob
I am sorry you can't come Sheila, but maybe Deb can come with us, what do you think Deb?
I am still coming and I am going to see if Sylvia will ride along with me.. Either way I am definitely going to be at CS.
I still have 2 seats available if anyone else on the north end of Dallas FW would like a ride. Magnes got me a brand new truck last week.:-).
debnes
Well in that case, I guess I didn't need to worry about you Deb.
I think I would like to try some louisiana iris then, not seeing anything up where I thought I put it. But then my dog has been tearing up everything over there all winter so I am not surprised...lol.
Thank you Josephine :-)
What kind of dog do you have Kim? I have a Chihuahua, and more trouble with suirrels digging things up than the Chi. I caught one of the squirrels digging up a couple of my Cannas!!! And I know one stole my Buckeye seed Josephine gave me.. Didn't see that coming, :- at all!
This message was edited Feb 24, 2008 10:35 AM
Speaking of giving rides, my friend Sheila from Selma couldn't resist this one, so she's coming with me and DH! Some of you all remember Sheila, right?