Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Candy Grandma

I've called her that since I was a child. Growing up, she was always the Grandma that had candy in her house; little dishes of it placed on the kitchen table and beside my grandfather's chair...and little baggies of it divided up for us to take home. But I have other memories of my Grandmother too: like our drives into Croghan to pick up some bologna and cheese curd; and stopping at Wishy's for a bag full of penny candy; getting stuck in the back seat of her car when a herd of cows planted root in the middle of the road; having a package of "newy chewies" waiting for me on the counter every time I would visit and a bowl full of "clean" pasta set aside since I didn't like it with sauce. I remember leaning my head down to say goodbye and always receiving a kiss and her "blessing" before heading out the door; waving to her from our van as she blew kisses out her front window. I remember the old pictures of myself and family....the ones she would include in my Birthday card each year to remind me to be thankful of God's precious gifts; and her stories of my Dad as a kid...and his life with his six brothers...her seven sons. I remember singing to Jesus every Christmas and the Birthday Cake she always shared to celebrate His birth. I remember how she taught me about God's will when my Grandfather got sick and entered the gates of Heaven...and the phone call I received from my father nearly ten years later after she told him she had cancer too. I remember visiting her with my children and my sister; watching my oldest son embrace her; wondering if his young little heart knew she was going to see Jesus. I remember rushing to her hospital bedside so she could hold my newest addition...so he could meet her...and I could take their picture. I hold on to what I remember with an aching, but joyous heart. Candy Grandma is in Heaven now...with our God, our Lord and Savior...reunited with her beloved husband, two sons and grandson.
I love her...I miss her...but I thank Jesus...for calling her Home.
"May your kingdom come, and your will be done,
here on earth as it is in heaven."
(Matthew 6:10)
"Candy" Grandma (a.k.a. Alma Frezza)
March 4, 1932- December 29, 2008

8 comments:

Jessica O'Donnell December 30, 2008 at 12:15 PM  

Jess- I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful post. She is looking down right now with a smile on her face.

Anonymous December 30, 2008 at 2:13 PM  

You said it all Jesse...not only do you have a way with pictures, but a way with words. Thanks for making me smile through the tears.

K December 30, 2008 at 8:35 PM  

What a sweet post. I can relate - I lost my G'ma last week and I've been recalling lots of great memories of her.

Anonymous December 31, 2008 at 5:32 PM  

Jess, Sorry for your loss. Your post was beautiful and a beautiful picture. Out thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Pam and Breeze

Andrea January 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM  

Jessie, I am sorry. I feel the same way about my Gram and lately have been anxious about her home going (she has parkinsons)...this was a beautiful tribute, I love the pic of her with your sweet babe and how wonderful that she was able to meet him! I will be thinking of you as you grieve this loss...

Melanie January 2, 2009 at 8:47 PM  

I agree with your mom Jess. Your post was so nice and the picture of Joseph and your grandma is beautiful. We are thinking of you.

Anonymous January 23, 2009 at 10:40 AM  

Jessie- Aunt Lynda and I got home last Friday (1-16). We have since been working at getting our house in order and getting back to some normalcy. I have been updating my address book and was putting your blog site in my favorites when I scrolled down to see this. As you can imagine I cried,but it was good for me. I remember the day you brought Joseph. I have a similar pix in my phone that I took at the same time. Precious memmories!!! We are all going to miss her. Love, Uncle Charlie

Anonymous March 8, 2009 at 1:18 PM  

I really miss her so much. :)

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