This past weekend, I celebrated my birthday with my extended family and another very special birthday girl, my Grandma Hanky.
I turned 28, Hanky turned 81.
Throughout those 81 years, my grandma’s life has been filled with six crazy kids, 13 equally crazy grand-kids and a whole lot of love. When I think of Hanky, many happy thoughts come to mind: her gentle and kind nature, a passionate love for all things Christmas, waking up at her house in Wisconsin to a buffet of cereal and French toast sticks, the smell of her laundry room, her love of Frank Sinatra that she passed on to me, and knowing that I can count on her for wise words when I need it.
She was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We no longer visit her at the home she nurtured us in, conversations have become a bit more repetitive and I now have to re-introduce myself to my sweet grandma. It has been hard to watch her memory slowly fade away. But, my family and I know that there is plenty of wisdom that still remains.
A few weeks ago, my step-dad sat down with his mom and asked her some questions on video. It is a priceless gift that we will cherish forever. She offered simple but steadfast wisdom that I would love to share with you:
Take care of people — when you help others, you help yourself
A mother’s (and grandmother’s) love is forever
Do what you can, as much as you can
Be happy
Lastly, my step-dad asked, “How do you stay so positive?”
Hanky responded, “Just like that.”
She is happy. Let’s all be happy—it’s a beautiful thing.
I read this with big, hot tears streaming down my face. Thank you for writing and reminding us of how much love Hanky has shared with us, her funny, crazy family.
Love you.
LOVE YOU! Thank you 🙂
THANKS BLAIR! VERY COOL.
I love you.
JOE
Thank you, Joe! LOVE YOU!
Blair,
I am choked up as I write this-
Thank you very much for sharing your feelings about your saintly grandmother.
Your sentiments are just beautiful Blair! They ring so, so true.
How can we all follow her positive message of loving others? (JUST LIKE THAT)
Love, UM
PS) (Buffet of cereal and french toast sticks—hilarious!!)
Thank you UM!
She is a wonderful soul…hope her saintliness (is that a word?!) is passed down to all of us!
Lots of love!
BLAIRE,
I am so behind the time on email and computer stuff-but i must say–before you turn 29 and Hanky is 82–very cool web stuff. Or whatever you kids are calling this hitech computer crap.
LOVE YA
JEFFY
Thank you dear Jeffy! Lots of love to you and G & T as well! 🙂
Blair,
What beautiful thoughts you have about your Grandmother. I was very close to mine also, so my heart pitter-pattered while reading it. Thank you.
You have incredible wisdom for such a young talented woman. Your mom raised an absolutely awesome woman!
Hi Shannon,
Thank you so much for reaching out. I appreciate your kind words – they mean a lot to me 🙂 Blessings to you! 🙂