In Memory of Isabelle Meyers

On the morning 18 April 2008 my Grandmother passed away. She was one month short of her 94th birthday. I was lucky to have been there on her 93rd birthday and spend time with her, it was the last time I saw her. We spoke many times since then but it was the last time I got to sit with her in her home and play cards with her. Playing cards is what we did; it was what Grandma did with all of us grandkids. I would call Grandma once a week on my way to work in the mornings. I would catch her as she was getting back from breakfast and we would talk about the weather and who was doing what. She would listen as I explained where I was off to next. I know Grandma never really liked to travel (Grandpa was the traveler in that couple) but I like to think she enjoyed seeing the world through my eyes and the rest her kids and grandkids.
There are many things I will miss about my Grandmother but the thing I will miss the most is her laugh. Grandma had the best laugh and it would get me laughing every time I heard it. She had a wonderful sense of humor and could usually find the humor in most situations. We had some great conversations during my last visit and I will treasure them for the rest of my life. I am also grateful that Lisa got to meet her before she passed away. She got to enjoy a home made spaghetti dinner that my wife made for her. Grandma always enjoyed the cards Lisa made for her and saved to them and showed them to me when I visited last year.
Meaning no offence to my Mom but I never had the same connection with her Mother as I did with Grandma Meyers. We spent many of our summer vacations in Wisconsin at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. My brother and I both learned to swim at White Potato Lake during our visits to Wisconsin. As I got older and after I joined the Air Force I always tried to stop and spend time at Grandma’s whenever I transferred from one duty assignment to another. Grandma’s house was my hide-away from the world where I could go and de-stress from my job. There was something about that bed in the backroom that gave me the best sleep I’ve ever had. There was also something else about Grandma’s house and that I always felt the need to take an afternoon nap. I could have slept for 12 hours the night before but everyday after lunch I felt the gentle tug of the couch and I would slip off for an hour of restful sleep. I always felt so much better after a week at Grandma’s house. I just always had a deep sense of peace in her house and that peace always recharged my batteries and allowed me to face the world again.
Grandma’s health had been deteriorating over the last several weeks and she was in a lot of discomfort and pain. In some weird way I was relieved when Mom called me and told me the news. Grandma is at peace now and with Grandpa in much kinder place. I’m sure she is catching him up on everything his crazy family has been up to since he passed away (I like to think of it as he is just travelling on ahead of the rest of us and we will all catch up to him one day).
I would like to close this blog with a very humble thank-you to my Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Ken. I can’t put into words the gratitude I feel towards my Aunt and Uncle for all that they did for Grandma over the years after Grandpa passed away. It was a great comfort to not only my parents but to me and brother that you guys were there for Grandma. Thank-you.