May 25, 2012

The Birthday Kiss.

Last week my grandmother turned 97. I don't mind telling you that she is really, really old. It's hard to be really old...it hurts. My mom told me that she moved the photograph of my Grandpa so that my Grandma could see it from her pillow. She turned and looked at it wistfully, smiling and nodding, remembering...she believes she'll be with him soon.

But not just yet.

I'll spare you the details of what it truly means to live this long in a body that's giving out, but suffice to say that my Grandma is brave, strong and a real hard ass when it comes to life. She's just not quite ready to let go yet. So the family gathered to celebrate her birthday, and although she was in a lot of pain, she did smile and tell us she loves us. And the youngest of us, my little Nieceling who is not quite two, got up on her tippy toes to give her Great-Grandmother a birthday kiss. Time stood still. The room was spell bound as the two leaned toward one another, the very young and the very elderly; no one wanted to miss the moment by fumbling for their camera.



So I drew it.

UPDATE - June 21, 2012.
My precious Grandma slipped gently away today. She is celebrated, missed and remembered.

RIP Maria Marrelli.
Posted by The Animated Woman at 5:12 PM
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

24 comments:

  1. AlaphGypsyMay 25, 2012 at 5:26 PM

    ♥

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  2. 24-7-365 momMay 25, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    This makes me tear up. My grandmother turned 99 on April 8th. 99 years, 9 kids, 3 husbands, hundreds of grand kids, great grand kids and great great grand kids (up to 6 generations worth) and she is still hanging on... barely. we are in the end stages of life with her... Had you asked me two months ago on her birthday if we would be here, I would have told you no... I truly believed we would be celebrating her 100th birthday next year. Sadly, God has other plans. But I know she has lived a good full life.

    Cherish every moment!

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  3. Brandon DuncanMay 25, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    Very cute. :)

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  4. jeannineMay 25, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Love this JC!

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  5. KathyMay 25, 2012 at 6:50 PM

    That is so precious JC. You have an incredible talent for capturing a moment and tugging our heartstrings. Don't ever stop <3

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  6. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    wonderful!

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  7. Tracie NallMay 25, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    This is so very sweet!!

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  8. SherreeMay 25, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    Beautiful JC. Just beautiful.

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  9. areyoukiddingmeMay 25, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    What a wonderful moment!

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  10. NancyMay 25, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Yup - you got it JC! It's incredible how she rallied momentarily in the midst of incredible pain to celebrate with all of us. She is a REALLY tough cookie!

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  11. GrandeMochaMay 26, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    I <3 this!

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  12. Mark BernhardtMay 26, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    *sniff* :)

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  13. AmberMay 26, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Sweet.

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  14. Susan Bodendo/Super EarthlingMay 26, 2012 at 6:53 PM

    Truly the sweetest, most adorable and precious drawing ever! :)

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  15. KristinMay 26, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    So sweet and beautiful!

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  16. JoelleMay 26, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    Aw!!! <3

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  17. AnonymousMay 26, 2012 at 10:50 PM

    special and poignant - you and have so many shared loving moments! My great-grandma lived with my grandma who cared for her at home through the final 90+ years. I combed GGma's long grey hair, and we braided it together. The memories of long blessed lives well lived. May we all know the pure love of family and share these sweet prayers in life! Your friend, Anne in OZ

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  18. AnonymousMay 27, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Cherish those moments. <3

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  19. RliyenMay 27, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Awesome.

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  20. RliyenMay 27, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Awesome.

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  21. AnonymousMay 27, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    wonderful moment.

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  22. MommyLisaMay 28, 2012 at 8:31 PM

    Oh - make me cry. My grandmother turned 97 March 2011 - we had a lovely party. She passed last September and I know she had been in a lot of pain. Bless your heart.

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  23. the robot mommyMay 28, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Totally choked up seeing this. So sweet.

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  24. Barbara LJune 24, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    Sorry to hear of your loss. How wonderful it must have been for her to have so many gather one last time.

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Cuz You Rocketh.

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