goodbye, grandma murf

on friday, the hub's great-grandmother gave up the fight and moved on to a happier place.  one where she didn't have to take pills or walk with a cane or be bothered by anyone trying to make her do something she didn't want to do.

without getting all religious and stuff on you, i'm picturing her standing straight and tall and healthy, greeting other folks she loved who passed on before she did.  and at 97 years old, i'm thinking there's quite a crowd there to greet her.  it's such a cliche, i know, but while those of us who she left behind are sad that she's gone, we're also happy that she doesn't have to be unhappy anymore.  i'm also hopeful that with her passing comes healing, forgiveness or, if nothing else, a clean break for a handful of folks who were linked through her.

the bean was so funny when it came to her great-great grandma.  she called her "grandma murf," and GGM often didn't have her hearing aids in and didn't hear her anyway.  and every time we watch "monsters, inc." she always says "look!  it's grandma murf!"  i doubt GGM's vanity would've appreciated the comparison:

i snicker when i remember how GGM was the only one who kicked up a fuss when we decided not to share the bean's name until she was born.  she would wheedle and whine, and i would always have to repress an evil grin as she pouted.  mean, i know.  but it was funny.  and she sure loved the bean a lot. she always wanted to sit next to her at the table, and if she wasn't, whoever was blocking her view would always have to shift a bit so that she could keep an eye on her. 

it was also really entertaining to hear her say "oh my goodness, that's a lot of food!" when her dinner plate was put in front of her...and then she would slowly but surely eat every bite.  and then ask for dessert.  and grab a snack on her way to her room "to take with her pill."  heh.

she was quite a lady, with a pretty colorful past.  and it'll be sad not to see her grubbin' down at the thanksgiving table this year.  rest in peace, you funny, feisty ol'firecracker.  i know you'll be up there having a blast, maybe with a cocktail in hand, till we see you again.

not anytime soon, but you know.