Granny passed away in the evening of January 10th, 2009. Sunie Blake Wood, Granny, was born on April 27, 1905. It's always been amazing to me what she's seen in her lifetime. I am very lucky to have been able to know my Granny well into adulthood. Many people don't get that luxury. Especially when their Grandmother doesn't start their family until after 40!
I am okay with Granny's passing, it was time. The worst is her phone number. I had to dial it this weekend to contact my Cousin and it sent me into a tizzy. The number has a distinct pattern. It's comforting. The number changed area codes 10 or so years ago(?). But the pattern has been with me from forever. Grand-daddy and Grandmama (we all started calling her Granny when the next generation came around.) moved into their house a week or two before I was born. I remember a green wall phone at my Auntie's house. We dialed the number on the rotary-style phone. I don't know exactly why we were calling as my Aunt and Granny were only a driveway apart. But I remember my sister and my cousins instructing me on the dialing. Maybe we were calling over to ask our parents for permission for something. I don't really remember the reason, I remember being instructed about the dialing.
Go forward a bit and it was the same green, this time a phone with buttons. It was my Cousin H and I, I remember her telling me the numbers. I think we were calling to see if someone would come over and watch us in the pool. Why was I the one always calling?
Granny at her 100th birthday party
I've never saved Granny's number, I always dialed it, the pattern was good. Even with the area code change. Even this week when the number was often busy, I would re-dial the entire number. There is something soothing in patterns.
It's the only number (other than my Aunt and Uncle's) that hasn't changed my entire life. It was a number I dialed when I needed soothing, when I needed some sort of rightness in the world In the last few years the number wasn't answered by Granny but it was still her number and often the nurses would rely the conversation. And if I yelled, Granny and I would talk. I am not sure if anyone knows how much I dialed that number when I needed a hug. But I did. I dialed her often.
Granny and I carrying-on in the spring
I got bonus time when it comes to most Grandmothers and for that I will always be thankful. I also got to know her a bit more in the past few years knowing that I would lose her. Once your Granny turns 100, you tend to think every day is a bonus and you don't hold back. It still doesn't mean that I won't miss her. Her number will be someone else's in a few months. Granny or a nurse or a family member will not pick up. No one will be happy to hear my voice, my story or to hear one of us to tell the other to "behave!" I will miss Granny. I know it's well past her time to rest. But can someone connect her number directly to heaven?
Over a 100 years is a long time. I'll bet she's ready to go. You're so lucky to have had so much tome with her.
Posted by: HVAC contractors | November 23, 2010 at 09:29 PM
How fortunate to have the memories over all those years, and for your Granny to live so long, with most of it high quality.
Posted by: jordan retro | July 19, 2010 at 09:57 PM
i miss my grandma too. thanks for the story.
Posted by: buy ultram | November 12, 2009 at 12:49 AM
I feel like time is going incredibly fast and slow at the same time. The weeks/months seem to be crawling...but at the same time, I turn around on Monday and suddenly it is Sunday again
Posted by: runescape money | May 27, 2009 at 04:42 AM
Phyl-- I'm just catching up on blogs- Hugs to you on Granny's passing. I will always remember your stories of her, and laugh with you in my heart.
Posted by: LauraRN | March 26, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I am sorry about your loss.
I too was very lucky to have a grandma that lived to be over a 100 yrs old but not quite as old as your granny. The things they say come and go would boggle minds today. My grandma was born in 1899 and lived till January 2001.
Posted by: Cathy | January 22, 2009 at 04:25 PM
What a beautiful tribute. How fortunate to have the memories over all those years, and for your Granny to live so long, with most of it high quality. My own grandmothers both lived into their nineties, and for that I feel blessed. Looking back, I wish I had asked more questions about their youth, and growing up in Ireland.
I found your blog over at Chesapeake Bay Womans.
Posted by: Grandma J | January 18, 2009 at 03:40 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Granny! It was a very special relationship you had with her and one to cherish always.
Posted by: Carrie K | January 16, 2009 at 05:06 PM
I'm so sorry Phyl. I know it wasn't unexpected but it is still tough either way. You are fortunate to have spent so much time with her especially in the past few years. Hugs to you.
Bets
Posted by: Betsy | January 15, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Oh, Phyl - I'm so sorry. I am sure she will continue to keep in touch with you in her own way in coming months and years.
Posted by: Robin | January 14, 2009 at 05:58 PM
I'm so sorry for your sadness now but so glad that you had your Granny for such a long time! Jane
Posted by: jane | January 14, 2009 at 05:35 PM
I'm sorry for your loss, but having read this I know without a doubt Granny will live always in your heart and be available to you any time you want. Sending you hugs.
Posted by: Sunnyknitter | January 14, 2009 at 11:56 AM
dang it!!! I SHOULD have known not to read this while working... where the heck are my box of tissues.
Posted by: Missing Granny | January 13, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Phyl--
So sorry to hear about Granny. Hugs to you.
Posted by: Cindy | January 12, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Phyl,
MY thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Yes you are so lucky. I had my great gram until I lost my grandpap when I was 17, she was never the same, and died 5yrs later.
My gram also died when I was 23, my son, her first great grandson, was only 6months, but I had the chance to give her that title.
I hav eso many fond memories too, we had a big family and always got together for holidays, birthdays,ect. Not exactly the same today, but
thank you for sharing w/us on your blog, and allowing me the chance to take a few minutes to rmember and say "me to" to your post.
Hugs to you .
sherry
Posted by: sherry | January 12, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Phyl, your story brought tears to my eyes. I talk with my sister in heaven, no dialing needed. Just start talking ....
Heaven has her place ready with a window onto your world. Never worry!
Posted by: Jan | January 12, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Oh Phyl, I'm so sorry to hear of your Granny's passing. It's wonderful that she had such a long, fulfilling life and that you made so many wonderful memories with her.
My guess is that heaven has already found her.
Hugs.
Posted by: ann | January 12, 2009 at 11:13 AM