My family is the best. My sister Kelly was the only one missing, due to the terrible tornado that happened in the south, she wasn’t able to get out of Georgia. We missed her so much and our hearts broke for her that she couldn’t be there with us. I felt so lucky that Erin and Jody were able to arrive on the last non-canceled flights. Pheew.
The service was beautiful. My mom did a perfect life sketch, and when I wasn’t crying, I was smiling and laughing at all the stories and memories that were told. My Grandma Verdell was a true lady…graceful, dignified and never seen without her lipstick and jewelry on. I can’t say that I’m so lady-like, but maybe one day I’ll at least scratch the surface with her as my example?
My family minus Kelly and spouses and Pip and nieces.
(I look like Mega-Reag, but I think I’m just the tallest because I was on a hill or something? I know I’m not taller than my brothers.)
A few of my cousins (and sisters) and I had a little party in my Grandma’s bedroom. Can you believe I had never been in there a single time in my life? That is how much of a lady she was. So private and modest. She did have humor though, so hopefully she was tickled at the sight of her granddaughters wearing her nightgowns and all hopping up onto her bed. I brought mine home with me.
Jamie is my cousin Janet’s little one. She loves my parents and wrote my dad a note that said “I like you, and I like your whyfe.”. She carried my mom’s dog, Murphy, around like a little stuffed animal for most of the time.
It was hard and sad to say goodbye to my wonderful Grandma, and also to her house where I feel sort of at home. We moved so much growing up, but my Grandma’s house was always the same and we went there every year. I have the most wonderful memories of climbing her backyard trees, drinking her delicious shakes made with peaches picked from her backyard, exploring her weird house (there are all sorts of weird hidden doors and nooks), building dams and racing leaves in her gutter and playing at the Oak Ridge school playground. I can’t imagine someone else living there. It breaks my heart!
Although I was sad for some of the trip, it was such a treat to see my sisters, brothers, parents and extended family. I hardly see my cousins, aunts and uncles since there are so many of them and I never have enough time while we’re in Utah. I didn’t even get to see my beloved Breinholt family this time!
Thanks for reading about my Grandma. I would have posted more last week, but it just felt weird to write about anything else. I’ll catch up with my Pip and regular life soon.
Love,
Reags
The picture with your sisters and cousins, in your Grandmother’s bedroom, in her nightgowns, is so cool!!! What a great idea and awesome way to remember her.
I still think about my Grandma every Sunday afternoon (when I’d normally call). She was a fabulous woman & always wore gold shoes + too-bright lipstick. Love.
Hugs to you + your family. And love that you had a nightie party with the girls. Wish I would have thought of that three years ago (she had quite the collection, too).
xo
Both my grammas died in 2009. It tore at my heart to fly home in a plane or over pavement and see all the work going into taking apart the houses. My heart goes out to your family, and I hope your imagination finds a happy new owner of the place to live in your heart.
<3
Thanks for commenting on my blog Reag! I’m sad I couldn’t see you more. Love the pic of you guys in the nightgowns
So many good memories at grandma’s. Do you remember when you tripped on the playground at Oak Ridge and skinned your knee? You were bleeding so bad but you were so brave… I wanted to be just like you… still do! Anyway, love reading your blog and hopefully we can all come out and see you and Piper sometime.
Love
Jenny
Welcome home Reagan. I am, again, so sorry about the loss of your grandma. Though knowing she is with her beloved is lovely. I so get the “lady” thing. My grandma, Nanny, died when she was 98. She was stunning until the end. Always had her hair done just right. Never without her jewels, lipstick and Oscar De La Rente perfume. Every time I smell it I get all goose bumpy with love and sadness all at the same time. Like others who have posted, the girls in their granny gowns is priceless! I bet your honey and your little Pippity Doo Da missed the stuffing out of you! Have a great week. Looking forward to seeing pix of your next date with Piper Jane!
Reagan, I am sending you love and a hug for the loss of your sweetest grandma. I lost my last remaining grandmother some years ago at the age of 99. She was very special to me, so I can feel some of what you are going through. She had 4 grandsons, but I was her only granddaughter, and she always introduced me as such. It strikes me as really sweet that you and your sisters and cousins put on her nightgowns and had a little party in her room. I love that picture of all of you on her bed. I bet she would approve and that it would make her smile.
What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. Love the nightgown picture.
I love that you guys put on the nightgowns and had a party in her bedroom. I’m sorry for your loss.
How sweet that you all dressed up in your Grandma’s nighties:) Sorry that you are sad.
I think you look like Fancy Reag in that top photo. I love that you guys all played dress up in your grandma’s nightgowns, I bet she loved it.
Everything you say about your grandma’s house reminds me so much of my grandma’s house. I really appreciated it and her before but I really really do now. I want to soak up every minute there.
Thanks Reags. And even though it’s happy for your grandma it’s sad for the rest so I’m sorry about her passing.
I never went in my grandma’s bedroom either. I was just this unspoken rule that we didn’t go in there. I remember peeking in from the hallway and itching to get my hands on her perfume jars and trinkets that were all lined neatly up on her dresser – but I never dared to cross the threshold.
I love the picture in your Grandma’s nightgowns! That is such a sweet idea! I am sorry for your loss, but happy that you were there to celebrate her life.
What a nice trip. I love the photo of your family.
I’m so glad you came! I only wish we could have spent more time together. The picture of yall in Grandma’s nightgowns is adorable! Love you!
I love the picture of you all in her nighties. Perfect and fun memories.
I have been going through my mom’s things, trying to clean out her room and she what she needs at the care center and what to keep, etc. I hope my sisters and I can resolve our differences and come to have fun like this someday soon. Mom would love to know we are doing fun things and remembering.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Welcome home. As a recent follower of your blog, I just have to say that I’ve been going through Pip-ture withdrawl! Please post pics soon.
The picture of you, your sisters and cousins is great! Now that I think about it, I haven’t been very often inside my grand-mothers’ rooms, that’s funny
It’s nice to read that you and your family support and love each other, and make this sad time easier, somehow.
Are you Mormon? If so, that must be a comfort that you are sealed to your grandma and your sweet Pip and husband for eternity.
I’m sorry, reags. xxx
I hope someone calls you dolly once in awhile xx
I was just heartbroken for Kelly when I saw that she wasn’t going to make it. I’m so glad the rest of you did….I only met your grandma two or three times but she seemed like the sweetest woman. I love that picture of you all in her bedroom. I’m so sorry Reagan.
I know this is not the point of your post, but you look so classy in that top photo! I think you did your ladylike grandma proud by wearing such a great outfit on the day she was being honored.