Peaceful Sleep
Apr 2nd, 2009 by Sean
Ann Champagne
July 1, 1919 – April 2, 2009
Early this morning my grandmother passed away. She was Mama to her own children, Nana to her grandchildren.
She was tough. Not tough in demeanor, but rather in her will to survive. She was a breast cancer survivor, had had by-pass surgery, and was diabetic, among other things.
The last several years were hard on her. Heart, legs, and most sadly, brain, started protesting sincerely. Dementia lapped higher and higher on the shoreline of her mind. Still, her expressive personality shown through in moments of lucidity. When I last saw her a few days ago, she looked at my mother and said, “I’ve been through the mill.” Indeed she had.
My Nana’s final years were trying. No doubt, parts of her earlier years were difficult too. I’d like to think that, despite those cloudy times, the sun shown down on her most days as her smile radiated warmth and emotion. I hope her final memories were of sun-filled days when cares were few and laughs were many.
As for my memories of my Nana, my mind winds back to when I was a young boy. My Nana and Grampie would go to Crane’s Beach with my mom, sister, and me. Almost every moment at the beach was fun, but when my Nana and Grampie joined us, joyful nuances would appear. The shade from an umbrella would always be ready for a tired child. Tiny fruit juices with foil tops would be chilled in a steel, green Coleman cooler. In the late afternoon, we’d leave Crane’s and drive down Argilla Road. On each ride, my Nana would tell me about the three bears and how they lived in a particular house on that road. I think they lived near the ice cream stand that we’d inevitably stop at to placate our sweet tooths, my Nana’s the sweetest of them all. My memories.
May my Nana rest well.
What a wonderful tribute. I am really sorry to hear of you and your families loss of your grandmother.
Love
Karen
Those are beautiful words to celebrate the memory of a beautiful lady. She is looking down from heaven so proud that her handsome and loving grandson has such fond memories of her and that he took the time to write them down to share so eloquently with others.
Thank you so much for sharing these memories. We were so fortunate to have her in our lives for so long. She has taught us all so much, especially as you said how to live through the good and the bad.
Nice that you have so many good memories–those Crane’s Beach days with Nanas were the best. I can see you in her face, btw! Blessing to you and your family.
I keep telling people that it just hasn’t hit yet. However, after reading your lovely tribute to Nana … well … it’s starting to hit!
linnie
Thank you for sharing your thoughts; I only wish she could read it- but who knows, maybe she has!
It is so wonderful to think back on those special days.
Sean,
What a wonderful tribute to your Nana. I know she would be proud of you and I know she is looking down from heaven to help all of you the next few days.
Our prayers are with your family.
Mark, Michele and Clint
Thank you for sharing sweet memories of your Nana. From writings here and her obit, it sounds like she was a wonderful person who left quite a legacy. I pray she rests in peace and hope you and your family may be comforted in your memories and time together.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, Sean. I’ll be thinking of you and your family!
@Karen, Thank you for writing.
@Kara, I hope she is in Heaven, enjoying all the deserved tributes to her.
@Rabbit Legs, We were fortunate.
@Marsha, They were fun. Thanks for coming by the blog again.
@Linnie, I hope the post brought to mind some nice thoughts as well as the reality of her passing.
@Tilly, I think she is.
@Michele, Thanks for your thoughts.
@Soccermama, Yes, she did leave a lasting legacy.
@Caity, Thank you.