My grandmother is on a journey. I hope there are French bikes in Heaven!
le paradis (pah-rah-dee) noun, masculine
: paradise
: the gallery, the gods
le Paradis terrestre = the Garden of Eden
le paradis fiscal = tax haven
l’oiseau de paradis = bird of paradise
aller au / en Paradis = to go to Heaven
My Grandma Audrey passed away yesterday. My sister made the call and I could hear the news in her voice before the words were delivered.
“I tried to call her several times this week…” I answered.
“I did too,” Heidi assured.
I thought about the nursing home, where my grandmother spent the last season of her life. I pictured a television on the wall, from which inspiration often struck her, at which point she would become the heroine from the latest show… or infomercial:
“I’m wearing my pretty white sundress,” she told me, last time we talked on the phone. “We’re having a beauty contest this afternoon–and *I* am in the running!”
“Do you think you’ll win?” I asked, playing right along with this latest production, “The Nursing Home Beauty Contest”.
“Oh, I’ll give it my best shot!” Grandma said, and I could almost hear her smoothing down her “dress” in pride and admiration of it. But a sundress in snowy Salt Lake City? I could never tell, during one of these conversations, whether Grandma was pulling my leg or, more likely, living in her imagination. Her voice was always so clear, sprinkled with a touch of Southern Stubborn.
“She is in a better place now,” my sister stated, comfortingly.
I have to believe that Heidi is right. Still, as I look into the mirror this morning, at the long face staring back at me, I find my faith faltering again.
“If I truly believed in Heaven,” I reasoned, I wouldn’t feel guilt or regret right now–but relief! I’d feel happiness for my grandmother….”
I am spending the morning renewing my faith, not because it comforts
me–but because faith is the “Instructions” book that guides me when I
don’t know where to step, when I can no longer see….
I am picturing my beautiful grandmother in her flowing white sundress! Beyond a shadow of doubt, it’s now clear to see that my Grandma Audrey won that beauty contest, yes siree!; plucked up as she was in the night — right out of her nursery home bed in time to collect her prize–that golden crown: Heaven’s glimmering halo over her head.
Post note: During a recent call to our grandmother, my sister wanted Grandma to be sure to know that Jesus was waiting for her, and that she, too, would see Grandma again one day. Grandma joked, “That’s what they tell me.”
Last night at the end of her telephone call, Heidi encouraged me to call our mom, with whom she had just shared the news. “Remember,” Heidi said, “(Our) mom has lost her own ‘Mommy’.” That last word went right to the heart and I could almost see my mom’s plump 5-year-old hand, reaching up to try and clasp her mother’s, ever searching for that connection.
Now for a request: Because my mom, “Jules”, and my family read this column–and each and every comment–I would like to once again ask you to send *virtual* flowers to the comments box–this time for my Grandma Audrey and also for her loved ones: Jules, my Aunt Reta, my Uncle Rusty… also for my sister, Heidi, and my cousin Mike.
Just pick a person & send a virtual fleur (i.e.: “tulips for Uncle Rusty from Rémi in Beaverton” or “kangaroo paw for Heidi from Gretel in Sydney” or “a magnolia for Aunt Reta from Fred & Nancy”).
With much appreciation (and dare I say love?) for bringing cheer to my family and me. I can’t think of a better way to rendre hommage to Audrey. I hope you will agree.
Amicalement,
Kristin
Grandma Audrey with Jean-Marc (2005)
Visiting Jules, in Mexico (thank you, Mom, for the photos).
With all our love, Grandma!
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Please look for a bunch of Columbine and Aspen leaves tied with raffia for you all, esp. Jules. They smell of summer and sunshine.
Catherine in the mountains of Oregon
To all your family my condolances from down south in Alabama and camellias from my garden (in full bloom now)
A virtual hug and large basket of Pink Camellias that are just starting to bloom.
A big Diego Rivera armful of Cala lilies for Jules and family for the loss of your mom and grandma. What an inheritance of adventurous and imaginative women you all have!
My sympathies, Jo Ellen from San Francisco
Dear Kristin,
I would like to send you and your mum and granny each a bunch of violets as they are so delicate, strong and magical.
I am sorry your granny is no longer here, but for sure she is still in your hearts so lives on.
Karen in Sauveclare the Var.
A spring of lily of the valley for Aunt Reta from southern california.
A lovely bunch of fragrant lilacs along with my condolences and my prayers for all of you, from Adrienne in Grasse.
Some orchids for you and your family. Condolences.
Jessica
Strelitzia. The bird of paradise flower, what else! My condolences to you all. My parents said that Grandparents and Grandchildren always share a very special bond because they share a common enemy!
Ian
For dear Jules and her family,
From Montclair, New Jersey I am sending a posy of pink four o’clocks, purple fritillarias and yellow evening primroses. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa
I couldn’t think of any flower more appropriate than forget-me-nots, in their petite blue glory, spreading in patches across a sun-dappled field or tiny garden. From my Alaskan husband (where they are the state flower) and me (in upstate NY) to all of you strong women. Blessings to Jules, as well.
To Jules and family– a meadow of California wildflowers: a gorgeous combination of brilliant orange poppies and purple lupine. May you find peace and comfort in each other.
To Kristin and family, an armful of Spring-time wildfowers that cover the southern California desert like a golden magic carpet. My sincere condolences to you.
With much sympathy, I send a bouquet of Magnolia blossoms to you, Jules and Heidi.
Cecily, Portland, Oregon.
What a sad coincidence. The wife of a very dear friend died yesterday 23 February, 3pm in France. She had been in very fragile health for a great many years, so it’s a blessing to her and the family, but it’s still very sad tout de même. Je suis “désotente” pour tous. Et je vous envoie les fleurs favorites de votre grand-mère. J’espère qu’elles vous réconfortent.
Audrey, Jules, Kirsten and fam,
Sweet Peas to all of you. They are lovely for their delicate colors, memorable fragrance, and gone too quickly. Love helen
Condolences To all your loved ones Kristin. Wildflowers from Superstition Mt. June
To Jules, Kristin and all your family, a bouquet of sweet peas from my garden. With sympathy, Sue from Reseda, CA.
Dear Kristin, Jules and family,
My eyes are overflowing at the moment, sad for you and the (physical) loss of your lovely grandmother. As a granddaughter who lost her “mamo” more than 20 years ago, I can tell you with certainty that yours will never be lost to you. She will continually surprise you with wonderful memories and even comfort in the years to come. She was clearly a wonderful part of your life and her spirit will live and bless you forever.
I am sending you virtual pink roses from Atlanta, GA, nestled in a bouquet of creamy magnolias, with baby’s breath kissing each one.
(Et oui, bien sûr, vous pouvez dire “avec amour” — c’est avec amour que j’envoie ce messageà rendre hommage à Audrey.)
Amitiés,
Janet
Sending to Kristin, Jules and Heidi large bowls of potted pansies in bright jewel colors.
They say pansies stand for ‘pensées’, and I know your thoughts are with Audrey, your lovely mother and grandmother. How fortunate you were to have her in your life, and may you find comfort in the days ahead in many wonderful memories of her.
A giant bouquet of blue delphiniums for you and your family in honor of your sweet grandmother. My condolences on your loss. Karinka in Tallahassee, Florida
A bouquet of anemones as lovely as those I recently viewed in a painting by Bonnard for you and and your family in remembrance of your beautiful grandmother.
Dear Kristi and family, Sending a small pewter vase of blue Forget-me-nots, which was my Grandma Thelma’s favorite flower, and much love from Stacy in Applegate, Oregon.
The camellias are beautiful in Richmond today–here’s sending a branch your way, Jules, Heidi and Kristin
For Jules –
A mother’s love transcends even death, as I know because I am in the “club” (one that no one wishes another to be in) of motherless daughters myself. I send you a virtual bouquet of lavender roses.
With love from Mary Jo in Minnesota
Lilacs, one of my favourite childhood blooms, to Mike. My condolences to you and your wonderful family.
For dear Jules, Kristi, Heidi and family. I had a feeling something had happened when your Momma Jules said that she was celebrating her wonderful mom’s life, yesterday on “Facebook”. I wanted to respond then, but didn’t know if and when she had passed away. I am so sorry… It is a sad day indeed, I also lost a dear co-worker over the weekend. I will send beautiful Bleeding Hearts because even though they remind us of our broken hearts they are also a reminder of our loved one’s exquisite beauty.
For Audrey, and for her granddaughters – a spray of my own Grandma Starkey’s favorite yellow tea roses, and a bunch of my Grandma Frederick’s beloved sweet violets, and my sympathy for your loss, from Linda in Columbus, Ohio.
A pot of yellow tulips for the whole family so that after they have finished blooming you can put the bulbs in the garden and have them come back next spring. My father, not knowing what to do with a yellow tulip bulb and yet not wanting to throw it away, “planted” it among some stones – a most unlikely place for anything to grow. He passed away shortly after that.
Wouldn’t you know, for 12 straight spring seasons that little tulip somehow makes it through the stones to bloom – I always think it is my father reminding me that he is keeping an eye on things. Every so often you will see something to remind you that your Grandmother Audrey is checking in you – and it will bring back those wonderful memories and put a smile on your face.
Jules,
I send you my sincere condolences regarding the loss of your mother. Instead of virtual flowers, let me share what brings me comfort, maybe it will help you at this hard, hard time. It’s the eleventh chapter of the book of John, where it tells us that Jesus felt they exact pain we do when his good friend, Lazarus, died. He felt pain and groaned and shed tears when he got to the grave. The difference was, of course, that after his tears he had the power to resurrect his friend back to life on earth. It’s so frustrating that we don’t have that power; but it’s also nice to know that the one who does — and who also hates death — has given us his promise to not only resurrect our dear loved ones but to eventually do away with death altogether.
Some snow gum leaves from Australia to add the scent of eucalyptus to the posy of snow drops. Thinking of you and your family at this sad time, from here in Sydney.
My condolences to you and your family. It is hard to lose a Mom and Grandmother. Remember all the wonderful times, especially the laughter. Sit in a quiet spot outside and close your eyes and think
of her, she will be there. Thoughts and prayers are sent your way.
A huge bunch of wild violets under a lilac tree to all the family of grand-mere Audrey,
from Vivienne in Illinois (where we love violets so much they are the state flower).
A spray of wattle and banksia for Jules and all the family with best wishes
Clifford in Sydney
I would like to send a single red rose that will bloom forever. My sincere condolences to you and all your family.
Lily of the Valley to you and your family, with sympathy from Chris in Portland Oregon.
I’m sending a field of rich, deep purple irises. If I could insert a picture, I’d send Van Gogh’s rendition to lift your spirits!
To Jules and all her family,
I send white tulips to Audrey for her white sundress and blue Forget-me-Nots to all the wonderful members of her loving and caring family.
Snow drops are blooming up here on a Washington island to remind you of a very beautiful lady. My thoughts are with you.
A beautiful bouquet of Texas bluebonnets for your Mother, you and Heidi and all your family. Loving grandmothers are such a blessing. My heart is with Jules who lost the most precious of all, a loving mother. I’ve lost mine. The hardest part is to realize you’ll never be able to talk to her again. But like me, she will think of her often as many things will remind her of Mothers words or their shared experiences. God Bless you all.
Audrey will be with all of you forever in ways you least of all suspect at the most appropriate moments, so here are some flowers for all of you – Jules, Aunt Reta, Uncle Rusty, Heidi, and cousin Mike.
Gladly, a magnolia to Aunt Reta from Fred and Nancy.
I don’t know much about flowers but a rose is a symbol of love so a rose to every one you mentioned plus Jackie and Max and a stunning carnation to your amazing husband. Then a gorgeous “Rose in the Wintertime” to a cherished friend, our loving Kristi.
Kristi, know there were two very wet eyes expressing my deep and sincere empathy for you.
Two lovely bunches of cherry blossoms and pussy willows. These are my favorite spring flowers from Canada. I hope they bring a smile to your face as they do to mine on a warm sunny spring day – just around the bend. Love to your family.
From my garden misted by the sea this morning I am sending bunches of my wild native violets springing up all around tied with a simple white ribbon for Audrey to Jules, especially, and all her family….you are all in my thoughts and prayers today
After our recent rains, I send you a bunch of the beautiful wildflowers now blooming here in Southern California.
Karen Learned
En observant le doux visage de Grand-mère Audrey il me semble qu’elle aurait aim’e toutes sortes de fleurs. Alors voici donc un gros bouquet de fleurs melangées dans les tons de rose pale et rose fort pour les tulipes, de blanc pour les roses et les arômes, et de la verdure pour réchauffer le tout.
Souvenez-vous des bons moments et surtout des bons mots partagés avec votre si gentille grand-mère. Et n’oubliez pas qu’elle est sereine maintenant et qu’elle vous protège de son paradis.
Une bonne pensée à toute la famille.
By way of Chicago we send Crocus de Bourgogne to you and your family in memory of a lovely grand-mère.
Marguerites from San Diego to Kristin, Jules, et toute la famille. Your grand’mere started a terrific family.
Courage!
Kristin: Lenten roses…the surest harbinger in the south that spring will soon be here. Isn’t it wonderful that you knew your grandmother…wonderful for you and doubly wonderful for her. Cherish those memories.
Grandma Joy in Knoxville
Congratulations to Krist’s Grandma for Graduation! A bouquet of violets for everyone else who will miss you until “that day.” Maranatha . . .