On Friday we had my paternal grandmother's annual Grandkid Christmas Luncheon. Gramma has 15 grandchildren, not including spouses and great-grands. Nine of us, plus SOs and one great-grandbaby, joined her for lunch on Friday. Only a few of us live in town still, so it's a nice time to catch up with what new things everyone is doing.
My sisters were here for the luncheon, but had to return to San Francisco and Tuscon this weekend. Then Sunday night, my aunt, uncle and two cousins arrived from Portland, Oregon to spend a few days with us. They haven't come to California for Christmas for years, so this was a special treat.
Today my grandmother, who is 79, invited all the aunties and granddaughters to her home to look over her jewelry collection and choose what we liked. Most of her jewelry was made by her father, my great-grandfather, who was a lapidary (as well as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer).
It was lovely to be there with my aunts and cousins and Gramma, admiring the stones my great-grandfather polished and set, and I know she was thrilled to have us all together.
I don't like to think about why Gramma wants to give things away now, though she seems determined to make us think about it. She is systematically reducing her load on this earth, and I do appreciate that she wants to make things easier on everyone when it's her time to go.
For now, I'm just grateful for the time we have with her. I hope I can age as gracefully as she has. She is more beautiful now than ever. I love you, Gramma!!
6 comments:
How blessed you are to still have a grandmother! And how lovely that you all get together to honor her yearly.
:*) Precious times to be cherished for sure!
wow- what beautiful treasures.
it is hard when our loved ones begin to look towards their end. i know that feeling. but it is a real gift to be able to walk alongside them as they make the journey.
so happy you guys had a great christmas full of love and family!
So sweet! Today is my Gram's 85th birthday so what a great post to read today! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Heidi
My grandmother has been doing that as well. My great uncle was a jeweler so I have lots of wonderful 1940's costume jewelry. What a beautiful way of sharing.
Hullo there :o)
I have a huge smile on my face after reading of you all there with your Gramma choosing which gorgeous pieces are to have new owners,what a wise lady she is,to attach a lovely memory to a lovely object is such a special thing.My nan gave me several of her precious things quite a while before she passed away,so when I see them & use them I just think of th elovely day I had when she passed it on to me :o)
GTM x x x
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