Early yesterday morning, my mom and dad called me to let me know that my grandmother, Mimi, passed away peacefully during her sleep Saturday night.
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know how much Mimi means to me. She was the matriarch of my mother’s side of the family and was always the spunkiest member of the bunch. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that I will no longer hear her stories and contagious laughter or feel the warmth of her hugs or taste one of her homemade sugar cookies.
This morning, I find myself sitting here, feeling the weight of losing Mimi, unsure what to really do with myself. When emotions have overwhelmed me in the past, one thing helps me work through everything and that is writing. So today I am writing a letter to Mimi, my beautiful grandmother.
Dear Mimi,
I love you. I miss you.
I miss the smell of your house. I miss watching you add an item to one of your many lists, your handwriting a perfect cursive that reflected your incredible artistic ability. I miss watching you spread jelly on your English muffin at the breakfast table in your silk floral robe. You somehow always managed to look glamorous at 7 a.m.
I miss the way you would use the words “tickled to death” to express your excitement over anything that brought you joy. I miss the way you would light up whenever you’d tell stories about Papa and the love you two shared. I know he was so happy to see you, the mother of his children, in heaven on Father’s Day yesterday.
When I learned of your passing, the tears came immediately. I couldn’t stop them, but I was surprised when I also couldn’t stop all of the happy memories that came flooding to the forefront of my mind. These memories only made me cry harder but they also left me with a feeling of comfort. I had 30 years with you. Thirty years with a grandmother who could not have loved her daughters or grandchildren more. Thirty years with a grandmother who absolutely could not wait to become a great grandmother for the first time.
Your reaction to the news of our baby is one of the most joyous memories I have of you. I will never forget the way your hands shot into the air or the squeal of delight that came from your lips when you learned you were going to be a great grandmother to a baby boy.
I wish with all my heart that you could have met our baby, but I will be forever grateful for the baby shower you and Aunt Laurie threw for me two weeks ago. You were surrounded by your family. Your sister, your daughters, your nieces and grandchildren and so much love and laughter!
You are at the center of so many family memories. Big Thanksgiving dinners at your house, served on your best dishes. Family Christmases in Gettysburg and long evening chats in your family room – you in your chair and Papa in his. A scotch on the rocks sitting on the table next to you, of course. Sanibel Island vacations and gigantic seafood dinners at McT’s and Gramma Dot’s.
We have so many memories together, Mimi, and I treasure all of them.
One story you loved to tell was a story about the time when you called my parents’ house to speak to my mother when I was very young and I answered the phone. You would laugh when you spoke of how I talked and talked to you for the longest time before you eventually asked, “Julie, where are you?” My reply? “In the closet.” Apparently I took the phone in the closet to hide because I wanted lots of uninterrupted time to talk to you. I crave that time right now, but part of me knows I can still talk to you whenever I want.
From what we’ve been told, you passed away peacefully in your sleep. I hope you were dreaming wonderful dreams. You’ve given me so many wonderful memories and served as a pillar of strength and love in our family for as long as I can remember. A social butterfly, through and through, I know you will be missed by more people than you can possibly imagine.
Count me at the very, very top of that list.
I love you, Mimi.
With love always,
Julie
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
What a beautiful tribute. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you, Tonia. She was the best. <3
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss, Julie! You and your family are in my thoughts <3
Aww…I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. This is a beautiful letter and brought tears to my eyes.
Perfect. Just perfect. How blessed she was to have the family she had and you all to have her. I love you and I’m thinking of you. xoxo
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My grandfather passed away 2 months ago and today was his bday, although it is still hard like you said we are so lucky to have spent so much time and made amazing memories that we will cherish forever.
Grandparents are such special people. I am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather — it sounds like he was a wonderful man!
so sorry for your loss Julie! I’ve been a long time reader. I made your grandmothers sugar cookies after you shared her recipe on the blog.
Thinking of you and your family.
I know she would smile so big if I told her you made her cookies! Thank you, Kendra!
Long time reader of your blog, and my heart breaks for your family. I am truly sorry for your loss. It seems like Mimi was a very special woman, and I’m sure she’s joyfully looking down on you from Heaven. Prayers are with you all.
Julie, I am so so sorry for your loss. I’ve been reading for years and can remember many of your stories about Mimi. I know how much she meant to you and I know how much you must be hurting right now. I was extremely close to my Nana and devastated when she was taken from us, way too early, when I was 15. I still talk to her and know she is with me as I create new memories and raise my son.
I hope you take comfort in knowing she will be there when he’s born and she will be watching as you grow into your new role as a mama. She’s proud of you.
Sending big hugs your way,
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie. She sounds like she had such a beautiful soul– how blessed you are for 30 years with a wonderful woman like her! I will be praying for you and your family <3
Cried despite obviously not knowing you or your grandmother. I think it was the picture of her finding out about her great-grandson that did it. Beautiful letter; Thinking of you all.
Julie,
I am so so sorry by your loss. From your posts about her, your Mimi was a beautiful person with an amazing soul. You’re words are to her made me cry. We are all thinking about you and your family today. Know that you have a guardian angel always looking over you.
Hi Julie,
I’ve been reading your blog for about two years now and could tell how special your grandmother was. Tears in my eyes as I’m reading this. Sending you love and hugs. Your baby is going to have a beautiful guardian angel. xoxo
i am so sorry for your loss. my thoughts and prayers are with you xo
This was a beautiful tribute to an obviously lovely woman. My thoughts are with you and your family xoxo
So sorry for your loss, what a beautiful letter to your Mimi. Thoughts to you and your family.
Julie, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve been reading the blog for a long time, and remember the video from your wedding where your grandma said she “slept with a smile on her face” after seeing you have so much fun that night. She seemed like such a special lady!
Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this time.
I never leave comments, but I have been reading your blog for years and just want to say how sorry I am for the loss of Mimi. Your post brought tears to my eyes xoxo
oh my gosh! I am so incredibly sad for you! You and your family are in my prayers!
I am so sorry about the loss of your Grandmother. What a beautiful lady! May your heartwarming memories comfort you and give you peace. Her influence will never leave you. Just think of all the memories that you will share with your son! I am praying for you and your family.
So very sorry for your loss, Julie. Grandmas are special people. My grandmother was the glue that held the whole family together and we miss her dearly. Sending strength and love at this difficult time.
This is such a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I am so sorry for your loss. How amazing that you were all together a few weeks ago and that you have remained so close to her for the past thirty years. Not many people can say that! Prayers for you and your family.
Oh, I’m so very sorry to hear of your Mimi’s passing! Grandparents are very special people, and having been extremely close to mine, I know how your heart aches. Nothing anyone can say will make you feel better; the only thing that will, is to just feel, to feel whatever emotions come your way, and no matter how strong they are, allow them to take over and feel them. Someone once told me, “each time you cry, it’s your soul’s way of releasing the sadness it feels, and after each cry, you’re a little more healed”. Hugs and love to you.
Thank you, Christie. I cried a lot yesterday. And just when I thought I got out all the tears, I cried some more. Thinking about the happy memoires makes me smile, but also makes me cry all the more. She really was a wonderful grandma.
I am so sorry for your loss, Julie. Your grandmother sounds like an incredible woman and the bond you shared with her reminded me a lot of the bond I had with my own grandmother.
I am praying for you!
Oh Julie, I’m so sorry. What a wonderful woman and I’m so sad she’s no longer with you.
The picture where she was so excited to learn you were pregnant with a little boy is my absolute favourite and I feel a bit tearful.
All my love.xxx
Me too. I am planning to frame it and put it in our nursery. <3 Thank you for your sweet words, Goldie.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Julie. Your letter was a beautiful testimony to your grandmother and her character. I know she must have been so proud of you.
I’m so so sorry for your loss Julie. My prayers are with you and your family! You’re Mimi sounded like such a wonderful person.
Oh Julie I am so sorry for the immense loss of this beautiful lady. Her joy at your baby boy brought tears to my eyes as I could almost hear the squeal she must’ve let out! May the memories of many happy times spent with her throughout your life comfort you at this difficult time and I believe she’s already met your son and is a special guardian now to get him safely into your arms.
What a beautiful letter. She sounds like an amazing lady! My 88 year old grandma is visiting us in Florida right now and went with me and my mom on Saturday to try on wedding dresses which will be such a wonderful memory. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your letter reminds me to squeeze my Grandma extra tight this week and try to take everything in.
How special that your grandma could be with you for that! I love it. 🙂
So sorry for your loss. I love her sugar cookie recipe too!
Oh Julie, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Your post brought tears to my eyes this morning. Your letter to your Mimi is the sweetest thing I have every read and I am sure she is incredibly proud and grateful to have an amazing granddaughter. I’m so glad you were able to reflect on the happiest of memories with your Mimi – that is so important, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
What a beautiful note, Julie. I am so sorry for your loss. It is wonderful that you will always have so many great memories of your grandmother.
So sorry for your loss! What a blessing you all got to spend time with her for your shower. Sending healing thoughts your way!
Sending love and prayers …. and I need some kleenex myself.
You now have a guardian angel looking over you.
SO GLAD that she was at your babyshower last week … I will still keep her photo on my fridge.
Sending you love, hugs and more hugs.
janet
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Julie. It sounds like she was a wonderful lady and thankfully you have wonderful memories to look back and reflect upon! And I have her delicious sugar cookie recipe that has now become a Christmas tradition to make in our house. Thank you for sharing her and her recipes with us!
So very sorry for your loss. Grandmothers, they are just amazing, and it sounds like you had one of the best!
Beautifully written. This post brought tears to my eyes. Your Mimi, without a doubt, was an amazing woman. Prayers to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Julie. This was truly a beautiful tribute to you grandmother – I think it captures a grandmother’s unique, generous, welcoming, and comforting love so well. What an amazing way to honor her. I can tell you brought her so much joy and happiness, and she was lucky to have you as a granddaughter just as you were lucky to have her as a grandmother. Thinking and praying for you and your family during this time.
Julie, your love for your Mini has always shone through brightly on your blog. I hope your wonderful memories of her will keep you and your family going during this time. Now she will have a front row seat when your little one arrives.
so sorry for your loss 🙁
This was a beautiful post and I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure she’ll be watching over you and your baby.
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me .. Blogger STEREOTYPES?!
Julie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. May you find comfort in the many happy memories you have of your grandmother.
Julie I am so sad to hear this news. You have always illustrated just how much light your Mimi brought to you and your family’s life. It’s hard to hear that she is gone. I pray that your family will get through this difficult time together and find solace in each other. I am grateful to hear that your grandmother passed peacefully, having lost grandparents in less graceful ways. She clearly knew there was a lot of love and life that would be carried on in her memory. Thinking of you and yours today.
So sorry for your loss, and condolences to you and your whole family. I am so lucky to have all 4 of my grandparents still around, and every day you spend with them is precious.
Oh Julie, I’m so sorry about your grandmother! She sounded like a lovely lady through everything I’ve read about her on the blog. Your letter to her had me tearing up at work! I’m glad you got to spend time with her at your shower 2 weeks ago!
I’m so sorry to hear of your beautiful grandmother’s passing, Julie. That photo of her with her hands up brought tears to my eyes! She seems like a woman full of joy and so many wonderful memories to be thankful for. Sending prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. Sending lots of love and prayers your way!
This was a beautiful post. I’m so sorry for your loss, but it seems you have also gained so much from having her in your life, including a memory that is now filled with so many warm and wonderful thoughts you can carry with you always.
So, so sorry for your loss <3 my mother's mother passed away two months before I was born and my mom has found so much comfort in all of the traits I have that are so similar to my grandmother, despite the fact I never met her. I bet your little boy and your Mimi will cross paths before he arrives and she will appear to you through him in years to come. <3
What a beautiful letter, Julie. You and your family are in my thoughts <3
So sorry for your loss.. prayers to you and your family xoxo