31 years ago today I was going to college. My week started out with the excitement of getting ready to live on my own for the first time in a dorm room at the University of Idaho - by Wednesday, the week had changed. My grandmother had had a massive heart attack and wasn't expected to survive long and by Saturday morning, she had passed away. However, I was still expected to go up to get my dorm room, move my stuff in and try to sort things through a bit. I can remember sitting in my car driving up the Lewiston hill with tears running down my face. I had never felt so alone - this was something that my Mom and I had been planning and now everything had irrevocably changed. I came back home and tried to help Mom. There were so many things that had to be done. We had to clean the house, answer the door with many of the people who wanted to give us their sympathy. I suppose the phone calls were the worst. I can remember answering the call from a dear family member and not wanting to tell them the bad news. I passed the phone off to one of my siblings. It is funny now that when a family member dies now - I am usually one of the first people that they call. They say that I seem to know what to say - experience has taught me a few tricks that I didn't know at 18 years old.
I have more regrets about what I never asked Grandma Cappy than I do any of my other grandparents. My grandfather died before I really knew what to do or ask (I was 8 years old) but by the time I was 18, I should have known better. That has taught be to embrace some of my older relatives and take the opportunity to listen to their stories and experiences. I can't tell you how much that has enriched my life. So in memory of Grandma Cappy - here are a few blogs where she was highlighted!
Going to College
Hunting in Autumn
Graduation Day
A Container for Everything
The Most Important Women in My Life
My Grandmothers Life During the Depression
Grandma's Diaries
A Wedding Getaway?
My Favorite Assignment
Happy Birthday Grandma Cappy
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| My Mom - Betty and her sister Joan - taken at Grandma Cappy's funeral in 1985. |
