In Memorium: Violette Blakley

Friday evening, my Grandma Blakley passed away quietly. Her health had been deteriorating for some time and I know it was time. Nonetheless, even when you know it is coming the loss of a loved one is still sharp and sad. It seems appropriate to think of a few happy memories as we work to say good-bye this week.

As her condition worsened today, I stood at my stove cooking chicken fried steak on a snowed in white Christmas evening with my little helper on the counter. I could remember vividly watching her roll out crackers on newspaper for her own chicken fried steak so many times before. We didn't follow suit, but I did think of all the times I cooked at her counter when I was little and that my adventures boldly into cookbooks may stem from our cooking times together. She would whatever I wanted from one of her cookbooks. I think we both loved it and learned alot.

She has had her silly moments even in these waning years and I can still remember listening to her sing this wacky song to my sister about Nicaragua when my sister was headed there on a medical mission.  At around the same time, she decided my brother-in-law was THE most handsome man. It was hysterical.

She loved getting to attend my sister's wedding and mine as well. She picked out her outfit down to the shoes well in advance and looked great. (The picture here is her looking so happy and well at my sister's wedding.  I think I'll try and remember her this way).

I feel especially blessed on a more personal note to be her namesake. It also means a lot that she was able to meet my children. I will always be so sad that my Grandma Dotter was never able to have that experience. I don't know how much my Grandma could remember of Maggie, but somehow knowing that all those generations apart were joined for just a moment is very sweet.

I'll likely disappear now and again as we move through mourning this week. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as always.