I think I’m going to give this blog another try. And this first post of a new generation of chortles is inspired by the recent death of my grandmother. I don’t think I’m ready just yet to process into words what I’ve been feeling, so I won’t even try. I do hope that soon, I will be able to write a memoir of sorts that will document my fond memories of the sweetest lady to ever have walked the face of this earth. Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing my Grandma knows that she was truly a special woman.
In the past few years, she suffered from a progressive form of dementia. In fact, nearly all of my memories of her are from after she started losing her short term memory. As I take this time of grieving to remember her, I find that the concept of a memory is so bewildering. And I am confounded by the irony of me recalling memories, which became increasingly difficult and impossible for her.
While in Wisconsin to attend her services and visit with my family, I was able to bring back these beauties:
Yes, as a male, I will not be adorning these vintage treasures on my clothing. But I will save (display?) them to remind me of the grandmother who helped to shape me into the person that I am today. As she has moved on from this world, she has been released from the prison of her confused mind. She is truly free. And the (above pictured) pins serve as tokens of her memories. She may have not been able to store memories over the past few years, but they continue to live.
Oh, and a quick, related side story, which I find to be simultaneously heartbreaking and precious. Toward the end of her living days, she was found with the pearl pin around her finger…she thought it was a ring! The image of her slipping that around her finger makes me so sad, yet I find it adorable. I will choose to categorize that as a cute/funny anecdote. That’s how she would want me to think of it, I know.
Sure, probably none of the pins are made of overly valuable materials, but I can’t even describe how much they mean to me. I plan on keeping a couple of them and sharing the others with special people in my life who deserve a token of my grandmother. (And who might use them for their intended purpose: to be worn!)
I often chortle in amusement. Since I'm easily pleased, the smallest things that catch my senses can quickly make my day. Chortles is a blog of my life, simplified to what catches my aesthetic; this sensory experience continues my ongoing quest to be as creative as I can be.
May 8th, 2009 - 9:04 am
I’m so happy you have these pins. I saw some of them on her dresser and in her little display case outside her room. I loved all of them and am glad they will be treasured.
I wish you could have known your grandma before she began suffering with dementia. You would have recognized her quick wit, but with it the memories - - - which I thought made it even better.
I’ll leave you with this one little story from before she became confused:
One day in her presence I was chewing gum. Let’s just say I don’t chew my gum in a lady-like manner. Aunt Doris looked at me and said, “Keetha, is your gum going to heaven?” I looked blankly at her to which she replied: “Because you’re sure chewing the hell out of it.”
Yes sirreee bob - - -YOUR Grandma Doris said that to me.
I nearly LOST my bottom teeth!!!
May 8th, 2009 - 9:02 pm
Aww, they are so pretty! I’m sure she would be happy to know that her pretty things are being cherished.
May 8th, 2009 - 9:41 pm
Hi, I dropped by from Keetha’s Eclectic Stuff ‘N Such…I am so sorry for the lost you have suffered. You memories will keep her alive in your heart. The jewelery items are so sweet. Display them proudly, that is what she would want.
Glad you came back to blogging.
Molly
May 8th, 2009 - 10:08 pm
Keetha: Thanks for the story! I love hearing stories about my Grandma. It makes me feel only that much closer to her.
Sarah: Yes, they are pretty…and yep. I know she’d be glad to know they are being treasured.
Molly: Thanks so much for stopping by and for your condolences. I will surely display them happily.
May 9th, 2009 - 6:19 am
I think it is FINE to not post every day. I don’t either. Sometimes I post several times a day when I have a lot of “fodder” all at once, but sometimes I go several days between posts.
You are welcome for the story.
May 9th, 2009 - 9:01 am
Hi! I came through Keetha’s. So sorry about grandma but nice that she left you to hold on to some memories. You are such a sweet grandson….Christine
May 9th, 2009 - 10:04 am
Just stopping by from Keetha’s blog. I think it’s wonderful that you can appreciated these things from your grandmother. As you get older, you will come to appreciated them even more. Hang on to them.
May 9th, 2009 - 11:36 am
Woooo Hoooo - - - you write it and they will come!!!!
I see a few of my bloggy friends have found their way over here - - - when have you EVA had so many comments????
And le’ts be honest - - - it’s ALL about the comments and interaction, isn’t it?!?
May 9th, 2009 - 12:00 pm
Hello Luke! Any relative of Keetha’s must be OK, and also funny and creative, too.
I am sorry to hear about your grandmother. My own mother is experiencing the long slow decline of dementia, so I understand how difficult it is. You are lucky to have some good memories of her.
Cass
May 9th, 2009 - 12:16 pm
Keep up the blogging. Your grandmother would be proud.
May 9th, 2009 - 5:54 pm
Wowee, thanks everyone for stopping by!
And yes, Keetha…I’ve never had so many comments! I certainly don’t mind.
And you’re right…at the end of the day, if it seems like no one is reading at all, you start to wonder: should I just be writing in a private journal!?
May 9th, 2009 - 6:03 pm
The secret I’ve found to getting people to COME to my blog, is to GO to theirs and leave comments. With your interests in crafts and collectibles, you may find quite a few blogs you would enjoy by finding the people who leave comments on my blog.
I think five bloggers have found you through my little “ad” over on my blog - - - and this is a SATURDAY, which is a notoriously SLOW blogging day, for what reason I cannot imagine since nothing seems to slow my blogging down.
It has been soooooooo fun to reconnect with you through the gathering last weekend and now our blogs.
Keep bloggin’ - - - you’re GOOD at it.
May 9th, 2009 - 6:42 pm
Hi Luke…
Welcome back to the land of blog! I am a new friend of Keetha’s…she mentioned that you had restarted your blog so I wanted to come over and say hello and meet you! I haven’t known Keetha very long but it has been such a joy getting to know her! First of all, I would like to extend my sympathies in the loss of your Grandmother…I am so sorry! My Grandma, who was the light of my life, just passed away last year…I really miss her but do hold on to the hope that we will someday meet again!
I certainly understand your reservations in trying to put this loss into words as of yet. I did enjoy reading about your Grandma wearing that pretty pearl brooch…it is an endearing story!!!
I just love your pretty treasures that once belonged to your Grandma…such sweet keepsakes!!! Just a note on what I have done with some of my pretty keepsake brooches…I have some items that I collect and have put them into pretty containers…then tied a pretty ribbon around the container and clipped the brooch to the ribbon! I love how sweet it looks and it’s a nice way to display the brooches and bring some added beauty to my collections! Just a thought…you may already have plans for yours!
Ohhh my…you won’t have to get to know me well, to know that I ramble a bit and write very long notes…Hehe! So nice to meet you, Luke!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
May 9th, 2009 - 8:39 pm
Hello Luke!
I’m Keetha’s oldest daughter, Keri.
You are a VERY talented writer and I hope you keep it up! Your entry about your Grandma is just precious and would mean so much to her I’m sure.
I think it’s awesome that you kept some of her treasures, even though they’re jewelry. And I love the story about the pearl one…I agree it is very adorable.
May 10th, 2009 - 8:34 pm
Chari: Thanks for that display idea! It seems like a nice way to have them displayed while still being practical.
Keri: Thanks for stopping by and for your comments in the other posts.
I remember you from a couple different family gatherings over the years. I hope you’re doing well…I’ll have to check out your blog!
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