Monday, June 23, 2008

Goodbye, Grandma Jarman!



A year ago this July, I posted on my blog for the 2nd time, about how my grandmother had been given weeks at most, to live. I had gone then and given my goodbye's. I was very emotional. It was hard to see her lying there very lifeless, very different from the grandma that I'd known all my growing years. To much surprise, she hung on. She got to see her 80th birthday, another Thanksgiving, another Christmas, another Mother's Day. Sadly, I didn't take any of these opportunities to go and visit her. Even just drop in and say "Hi, Grandma! I'm happy I can come and see you!" It's not that I didn't want to. It was more that I let other things get in the way.

(I'm not positive when this photo of my Grandma & Grandpa Jarman was taken but if I had to guess, I'd say it was taken in 1946 as their engagement picture?)

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to my mom and came across a picture of she and my grandmother from Mother's day this year. (Mom, I need a copy of that picture...) I wished at that moment, that I knew she was headed over there and that I could have been in one of those pictures with them. She looked very good....compared to a year ago. Amazingly, she was doing fairly well.

That changed last Tuesday and this past Saturday, she was released from her time here on earth.

It makes you realize how short of time we really do have here, and if you don't jump at some of the chances, one day, they will have all run out and you will be saddened at the loss. Not to say I'd be less sad at her passing had I gone and visited her more, but atleast then I wouldn't have to be sad that I didn't visit when I could have.

I'm very glad though of the many fond memories that I have of my grandmother. From going through her collection of stickers with her when we were fairly young, to taking summer vacations to their cabin in Lakeside, to going to their house in Gilbert for The 4th of July to watch fireworks as they went off across the street at the Gilbert rodeo grounds. For as long as I can remember my mom's family got together every year for Thanksgiving and then less than a month later for a Christmas party. Once grandkids started getting married, it seemed to be more and more difficult to get everyone to the gatherings, but they were still put together. Usually because "this could be grandma's last one..." Ironically, for her last one, we didn't even get together, and that's the only one I know of for sure in my 30 years of living, that one was not planned. I'd like to think that even though she is gone from us now, something will be put together this year in memory of her.

She was a wonderful grandmother! I wish my kids could have known her better. I just hope that as they get older, they will take the time to get to know their own grandmother's as best they can so they don't have to live with the same regrets.

My mother and grandmother Christmas 2006


We love and miss you, Grandma Jarman!

credits: Thank you Leslie for having these pictures on your blog that I could borrow!

6 comments:

Grandma T. said...

It's reassuring to know that grandma's have special things they are remembered and missed for. I'm sure she understood about your busy life and was proud of you.

Jenna said...

That was sweet, Sarah. I never want my Grandma's to die! Never! It is really important to connect with them while we still can. Thanks for the reminder. And I LOVE that picture of your grandparents! So gorgeous! Sorry for your family's loss.

YogaNana said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Sarah. But how wonderful that you have the memories you do have! Btw, that picture looks a lot like early pictures of my mom and dad, very late '40's, very early '50's, so I bet your guess at the date is right.

Saint Holiday said...

Sarah!
I am so sorry for your loss. Please convey my heartfelt condolences to your family. I was alone with my grandmother, Margaret Ruth Cowan Ercol, when she drew her last breath. We were close. She has been at the center of me, even after her passing. Imagine the sweet reunion your grandmother is having with her family on the other side of the veil. And all of her sufferings here have finally come to an end. She has completed the one mortal life she will ever have to experience, and she has done it with flying colors. Now she has entered the rest of our Savior and can look forward with excitement to her glorious resurrection and an eternity of joyful power. I feel happy for her. I send you comfort and love.

Love,
The Ancient of Weeks

Scrappie Mom said...

Thank you Sarah. I read this with tears runnng down my face. It was so sweet of you. I am so grateful that my chidren knew both of their grandmothers during this lifetime. I only knew one. While we mourn her passing, we are celebrating with her and her reunions on the other side of the veil. Don't have regrets. Just have good memories.
Love,
Mom.

idahohubers said...

Did you know the 'grandma t' comment was from my mom? She read your post before I did! I've been behind on my reading. What a blessing to grow up with your grandma near you. I never had that. The only comfort I find when a loved one dies is in prayer and time and happy memories.