Goodbyes are never easy…

There is no Weekend Dish this week, as you might have noticed there were no new recipes posted, and I haven’t done any blog surfing. This week, sadly, we had to say goodbye to my Grandma. She passed away suddenly, in her sleep, early Monday morning. Even though she was 91, it took us all by surprise. She wasn’t sick and didn’t have any long-term ailments. I had been away for two weeks (and still in Florida) when she passed, and am so thankful that I made time to go and visit her the day before I left. She was an amazing woman, the best grandmother, and will be missed tremendously by so many. I wish I had been able to sit down and go through every single recipe of hers with her, but now I’ll tackle them by trial and error. I look forward to sharing many of her favorites with you, as she loved nothing more than feeding those she loved, watching them enjoy the food, and always prodding whoever she was feeding to eat more.
My grandma hated to have her picture taken, so unfortunately I don’t have too many. The one above is from this past Christmas, and this is her and I on Christmas in 2005:

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When we were growing up, my Grandma never liked dogs. Apparently, it was always a point of contention between her and my grandfather (who was a huge animal lover). However, in the last handful of years she began to soften, and then she absolutely fell in love with Einstein. They were buddies – she loved him, and he was protective over her. I love this picture of them:

While we all naturally feel she left way too soon, I know she is at peace, reunited with my grandfather and probably exchanging political jabs with my Dad. I love you Gram. xoxo
(Posting should be returning to normal next week, and I will be slowly catching up on comments and emails. Thank you all for your patience.)



My heart goes out to you and your family. Take care and know you are thought of in many a’prayer.
◦With heartfelt condolences,
Carol
A Grandma’s love is like no other and she will always be with you… The heartbreak of letting her go into eternal peace will be tempered with wonderful memories… and when you are in the kitchen…that urge to add a little more of something…or a little less…or perhaps a substitution…will be your Grandma whispering in your ear…”be adventurous”….
Condolences, dear girl, may you find comfort and strength in tender memories…
I am so sorry for your loss. Many prayers go out to you and your family. I loved that picture of your Grandma and Einstein…so very precious.
May your dear grandmother rest in peace and live in your heart. I also lost my father this past July. The void is odd. It isn’t the obvious days when the pangs of missing him strike but rather the little things like seeing a piece of paper with his handwriting on it or enjoying a scoop of ice cream that I know he loved. It seems you will have many of these fond memories to keep her love close. Embrace them. The journey of life and death makes us all equal. Warmest regards from a fellow Pgh’er in Istanbul, D.
During times like this… I always try to remember how blessed I am….to have had a person in my life…that’s so hard to say goodbye to. You were blessed. Sorry for your loss and in reading your comment about your Grandmothers recipes… I have handwritten recipes from both of my Grandmothers and my own Mother ….All were excellent cooks. I had each recipe framed and I proudly display them in my kitchen. Every time I cook…. they are in the kitchen with me… : )
I’m so sorry for your lost Michelle. Losing a love one is tragic, at any age. Cherish the memories you have with your grandmother. I will be looking forward to seeing her recipes. Grandmothers are the best cooks.
so sorry for your loss…praying for you and your family xo
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. May the love of family and friends (cyber friends, too) comfort you at this time. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss! I’ll be keeping you and your family in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss! I am thankful with you that you were able to see her before you went on vacation. HUGS to you and your family.
So sorry to hear the passing of your grandma, it is always hard to lose your loved ones. Take comfort she passed peacefully in her sleep , no pain and was probably having a pleasant dream with everyone it it she loves. Hold on to the good memories, they will always be with you. Sharing her recipes will also keep her close to your heart and in your mind. She looks very sweet in the pictures. God bless you and your Grandma. Diane
Praying for you and your family.
Lots of love.
xoxoxoxo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com
My condolences to you and your family….sounds like a super lady. :)
My condolences to you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandma. I recently lost mine as well. For the wake, my mom and I made all of my grandmas famous recipes. Not that it’s ever easy to lose someone you love, but the family had the chance to swoon over her cookies and brownies once more and remember her as a wonderful baker. It helped. I hope you can something similar with your memories. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I think they all leave us way too soon. God bless you and your family.
heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dear grandmother. loss is never easy. cherish the memories.
Dear Michelle
Be strong and be brave
Cook in honour of such a beloved woman
Deepest condolences to you and your family
We are all right here for you
Sincerely
Choc Chip Uru
That was a very nice tribute to your Grandma. She looks like a sweetie! I’m sorry for your loss and your are right, goodbyes are never easy. Blessings to you and your family.
Very sorry about your grandmother’s passing and the void and loss in your hearts. How wonderful for both of you that you shared such a special bond.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My grandmother passed away a number of years ago and I still feel her presence. Looking forward to seeing your grandma’s recipes.
So sorry for the loss of your grandmother…I also lost mine just 3 months ago tomorrow and understand exactly your feelings. Cherish your memories together and lots of prayers to you and your family.
Michelle,
I’ve followed your blog for over two years, and have to say I’ve made your grandmother’s pepperoni bread time and time again – your memories will keep her alive in your heart.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you
I am so sorry to hear of your Grandmother’s passing. May the memories you cherish get you through these difficult times. I am sure she was very proud of the amazing woman you have grown up to be!
I’m so sorry for your loss, take care of you and your family.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. What a blessing to have a long life and for you to have her for as long as you did, but it is still sad to have to let someone go. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We’re never ready to loose those we love. My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to you. I’m sure your Grandma was very proud of you.
Blessings, Kelley
So sorry for your loss. It’s never easy, but it sounds like you had a great relationship with your Grandma and I bet you have a lot of wonderful memories to comfort you during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry!! I’ve lost both my grandmas, plus a few women I’d loved to have CLAIMED as my grandmothers. It’s never easy…but I try to remember that, in the grand scheme of things, the parting is short. *hugs*