Ayden's mantra since we lost Grandma Shirley has been "be brave and strong". Today as we said our final goodbye to our sweet Shirley - I think that went through my mind a million times.
I know she would have been proud of us today...and appreciative of all the people who showed up to love on her family and show their respects. (and I know she would've like the enormous flower arrangement I ordered when nobody could make up their minds - oh yeah - it was a show stopper!) And I'm certain she loved this poem Shea wrote - absolutely and completely.
Fly Away Home, my dear
Fly away home.
Where there's no pain or sorrow or fear,
Fly away home.
The sorrow we feel by your absence
cannot be measured.
But the joy you brought us throughout the years
will always be treasured.
The laugh, the smile,
the mischievous twinkle in the eye.
So happy are the memories,
so hard to say goodbye.
Even though we grieve, scream and cry,
Shake our fists and curse the sky,
We know after all is said and done,
we will meet again one day in the by and by.
Lift up your heads, lift up your hearts,
This is not the journey's end,
for though a while we must be apart,
a new adventure begins round the bend.
So fly away home my dear
Fly away home.
And know while you live in our hearts,
we will never be alone.
Shea Bryant
I think Erin spoke for all of us this day...so I leave you with her thoughts...
"Saying goodbye to my Sweet Grandma today. A woman who has literally defied logic her whole life. Who survived MASSIVE medical trauma, and amazed us all with her strength. Who made fried chicken and blackberry cobbler better than any restaurant I've ever been to. Who had more magazines, candles, Easter and Christmas decorations, scented lotions, random stray cats (she just fed them all), cool c...razy clothes and matching outfits, perfumes, wrapping paper (because she bought more Christmas presents than anyone I've ever know, ever) than anyone. And I mean anyone.
She was SPUNKY, and extremely stubborn. She gave the best hugs in the entire world, and her smile and wink were something you wanted to see. She had the same crazy curly hair as my sweet Rae, she was strong, and smart, and brave.
She was the lady who knew all, about everyone, and who probably knew all my rebellious high school dramas before my parents had a clue (LOL, sorry Mom). She somehow managed to keep a freaking GORGEOUS impeccable home, AND have us over for lunch every Sunday, the biggest lunches you can ever imagine. Like 15+ dish lunches. (I can't even keep up with my laundry, waaaa. Clearly I didn't get all her traits.)
I honestly didn't get a chance to know Shirley that long before she had her aneurism. But the moment I met her, she welcomed me into her family with open arms. OVERWHELMED me with Christmas presents, and Easter baskets the size of Montana. And food, and hugs, and just Grandma love.
And then she got sick, and things changed. But she was still Shirley, still strong, still stubborn, still full of smiles and winks and probably even more magazines than before. LOL.
And I'm just so thankful I got to know her, and be her granddaughter.
Grandma Shirley - we love you. So much. We are so proud to honor you today, so glad to know you are in a better place. Rest in peace."
