Tag Archive for Grandparent

Today is July 4, 2013

485646_3568799254845_1118856945_33474878_372636005_n[1]A very happy Independence Day to all of my blogging friends and neighbors.  If you have been following my blog for any length of time you have read about my Dad and his battle with cancer.

Last Friday evening, we lost a great Patriot.  My Dad passed away peacefully with my Mom by his side.  My Mom had told us that next to my Dad’s love for his family,  was his love for his country, and everything our freedoms stand for.

I distinctly remember when I was a little girl that I idolized my Dad.  He has always been my hero, now and forever more.  The pedestal I put him upon was so incredibly high, because I respected him so very much.  He was always helpful, ever so caring, and hopelessly in love with my Mom.  They were the sweetest couple ever.

My Dad was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, father-in-law, and son-in-law.  He never gave up on his battle with cancer, and in the end it was a complication with his liver that he did not have the strength to battle back from.  Words alone cannot properly express how extremely hard my Dad battled to keep going for the past two years.  It was an unbelievable journey for him.  Most of us would not have had the willpower or the perseverance to push forward to keep on living like he did.

In the end, my Dad was surrounded by my Mom, brother, sister, and my husband.  We were all able to say our heartfelt goodbye’s to him, including all of the grandchildren.  I will never forget the feeling walking  out  of the hospital, with my heart aching, holding my sister’s hand.  You are forever in our hearts Dad.

Happy Mother’s Day

Today is Mother’s Day.  And I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all of you Mom’s and Grandma’s out there.  I want to send an extra special package of love to my Grandma, my Mom, and my daughter Naomi.  All important Mom’s in our family circle.

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This post is all about when Naomi was born.  The pictures shown above were taken the first time Naomi met her Grandma Joan (Marma), and her Great-Grandma Nehls.  Naomi was about two weeks old.  We were living in Wisconsin at the time, and my parents travelled from California to see their newly born granddaughter (the first grandchild), and my Grandma came up to visit us from Illinois too.  Naomi was also the first great-grandchild in the family.  What a special, special memory.

That same weekend this five generation picture was taken.  We’re so lucky to have this memory.1-811017

From left to right this is my Great-Grandpa Quist, and myself holding Naomi. Standing behind us is my Grandma, and my Mom.  I love this picture.   It is a treasure.

I recently found this poem my Grandma penned to my Mom the day after Naomi was born.  It is such a sweet sentiment on becoming a Grandma I wanted to share it with you all.

On Being A Grandparent

Dear Joan,

I’m glad you were able

To sit at our table

Tho’ Lord knows the time was too short.

And while sleep we were lacking

T’was more fun just yakking

And sharing a generous snort.

 

I know it’s a trauma

For you to be gramma

As for me—at long last I am Great.

And I’m sure you’ll adjust

As all Grandparents must

For it’s really a wonderful fate.

 

When Renee gets to show me

Her precious Naomi

My pleasure will be overflowing

And I’m glad I will be there

When you and Jim see her

For I’m sure that you both will be glowing

 

I called Bobbi and Mother

But not any other.

Remember you told Dad you’d call

I know he’ll expect it

If you recollect it

Is really a first for us all.

 

I hope Grandma Nehls

Reconsiders, and feels

That the trip would be too long and taxing.

If she goes, I will drive

And I guess I’ll survive

But to ride with you would be relaxing.

 

I’ve written Loretta

And I hope they will get a

Day off and bring Dad as per plan.

Other wise I’ll be going

(Lord, I hope it’s not snowing)

To White Lake to get the old man.

 

So at this point it’s iffy.

Let me know in a jiffy

When your plans are all made and you’re due.

And I’ll have to see

Who is going with me

Or if I can ride up with you.

 

I’m glad that your visit

Was really exquisite.

Your reunion was joyous and hearty.

But it’s really outrageous

That girls of your ages

Indulge in a big slumber party

Now I’ve done what I said

With this rhyme you’ve just read

And I hope that you found it amusing.

But if I tried much more verse

It could only get worse

I’m afraid you would find it abusing.

 

With love,

Mom (and Harry)

Anne L. Nehls

On the birth of Naomi Carolyn

 This post has been linked to the GRAND Social linky

On becoming a Grandma, again.

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Madison with her Nana.
December 2012

For any of you who follow my blog regularly you know that last November we welcomed our granddaughter into the family.  Such a sweet, little cutie pie.  It’s amazing to me that when the family tree expands, your heart just becomes filled beyond overflowing with happiness and joy.

It’s a multi-part thing; you are ecstatic to have a new member in the family, you are ecstatic to see your children become wonderful parents.  And nothing can compare to the joy on your own mother’s face when she becomes a great-grandma for the second time around, our resident, “Nana”.  Plus, in my family we are especially blessed because my grandmother shares in this joy long distance.  So,  we have a great-great grandma in the family.  We are able to Skype with her once in a while so she can say hi to all the grandkids, great grandkids, and the great-great’s too!!

5th Generation - July 2006

5 Generations from July 2006
My Mom, Grandma & myself
Standing is daughter, Naomi with Evan.

My Grandma sent me a little note over the holidays, she still likes to send “snail mail”, which I love.  She has seen many, many pictures of her new great-great granddaughter since her arrival, and this is what she wrote to me:

“What a unique child Madison is.  Her face is so “knowing”.  Her eyes are seeing and processing everything, if she can keep her busy little mind awake.  She is truly beautiful.  I’m so proud of her, and of Evan too.  Such wonderful kids- my great-great grandchildren!  I feel like I had a little part in that along the way.”

I think my Grandma’s words sum up the feeling that any of us who are grandparents have.  That in some small way, you had a tiny little something to do with that new life that just came into the world, and expanded your family tree.

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