Today, if Omi (my paternal grandmother) was still here, we would be celebrating her Birthday.
I was scanning slides one day and came across this one taken in 1992.
She is 85 years old here, thinking she should try out the swing at the cabin.
I don't know . . . but maybe I see a lot more there than anyone else would.
It's a warm summer day and she is wearing thick stockings . . . she always did . . .
a button up sweater . . . and a scarf tied around her head.
I also see that she is at peace and smiling to herself.
Recently it dawned on me that she missed seeing her first great-great grandchild
by only six and a half years!
So I'll just tell a few things about her that this next generation would surely have observed.
When asked a question,
Omi thought hard and long and took a deep breath before she spoke.
She loved dipping Zwieback into her coffee.
If the coffee was hot, she'd pour some into the saucer
to cool off, and sip it from the saucer.
She loved the taste of butter and honey carefully spread edge to edge on her bread.
She enjoyed home fried potatoes with garlic.
She saved loonies for her great-grandchildren
and hid white peppermints in her pockets for them.
Omi played several instruments, her favorite being the piano . . .
The very last time she was in our home, she reminded me that
I had talked about recording her.
A lot was going on, with the extended family over . . .
I did not know it would be her last visit . . .
her last time to play the piano for us . . .
so the recording never came to be.
The beautiful ballads remain a secret for the ears that heard them.
The grandmotherly legacy she left for me
is a precious and fragile one to pass on.
18 comments:
You've given me a smile to start my day - I lOVE this picture! You have such a wonderful way of paying tribute to the people in your life. Blessings! :)
What lovely memories you have of your grandmother, to share with your children and grandchildren. You were so fortunate to have had her in your life for such a long time.
Thank you, Anneliese, for sharing this. Now that our little Anna (her namesake) has been born, I have been thinking a lot about Omi. I am forming my thoughts to put down on paper for my granddaughter. You have captured memories that I may not have thought of.
This is a very lovely, sweet and heartwarming picture. It reminds me of my grandmother who dressed in similar fashion and had a similar demeanor. Oh, how I miss her fun loving ways! Your grandmother liked the swing and mine...learned how to play PacMan!
What a beautiful tribute to a special woman. Thank you for sharing her with us.
This is beautiful Anneliese. I was struck by the fact that you still had your great Omi when we had loonies and that she played piano so beautifully. Was she self taught or did you have opportunity to be taught. My Mom was self taught and played all the hymns she loved so much.
Oh how I loved Omi!
Love the picture and what a beautiful tribute to her! I remember her so well.....was always jealous that you still had her to enjoy!
That is fabulous! Love this photo of your Omi!
my grandpa also would pour his coffee on the saucer and drink from it - thanks for sharing your memories!
I remember the rubber balls she kept at her appartment for us to play with when we visited, her keyboard, and the peppermints in her purse. :) I also remember one specific time of colouring in colouring books at her little kitchen table.
What a precious picture! and what beautiful memories!
Bread with butter and honey, a ride on a swing in the cool shade of an old tree. Now how could it get any better? She knew how to live!
Sharon
That picture is just full of life and joy! It tugs on my heart, reminding me of my Grammy who has gone on to heaven as well. On a whim, I decided to record her singing with my boys one time. Am I ever glad that I did it, even though it's very short. Have you made recordings with your grandchildren? Pictures are fantastic of course, but there is something so priceless about a recording.
Oh do I love that photo...a swing!!!!
Thanks for sharing those simple things about your Omi. And she played the piano. How talented...and yet so peaceful.
This is beautiful!!!! Such a nice tribute of a beloved Omi!
Awwwe...what precious memories. I can picture her easily...since I recall the grandmothers of my childhood. Cute picture!
I treasure this post! Especially the picture.
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