Nanny

In March, my Nanny (my grandmother on my mom's side) joined Grandpa Ament in heaven.  She is without a doubt, enjoying the reward for a life well lived.  Her whole being emanated light and love.  She was a remarkable woman and an example of the kind of person we should all strive to be.

Nanny to me and GiGi (short for Great Grandma) to my kids, she was always someone special in our lives.  As a child, we would go visit about once a year and enjoy being country kids for the week.  The funny thing is that we always knew her as living in a tiny town called Sandwich, IL, but she was actually from New York City.  She went from the big city to small town living and has the best stories to share about it.  She always had a story to share about life and family.  She was a welcoming person in every way you could imagine.  Her house was full of life, love, activity, family and friends.  She raised 5 remarkable children.  

She had the best smelling, most inviting kitchen I've ever been in and, even before we were old enough to understand or really help, she had us grandkids cooking with her.  And wow, could this lady cook!  Nanny's recipe for buttercream frosting is still pretty much the best thing I've ever tasted and it is our yearly tradition to put generous amounts of it on sugar cookies for Christmas.  It's just not Christmas without sugar cookies and Nanny's buttercream frosting!  And that was just the buttercream...she also made the best cookies Bob Hope had ever tasted! (and I'm actually quoting Bob Hope - no joke!).

Sometimes I remember little things about Nanny.  She was sharp as a tack and had a breadth of knowledge far beyond what she was taught in school.  She gave the best hugs and when she gave me a hug, I always felt like I was wrapped in warmth and peace.  She had more stories to tell than anyone I've ever met and even when we had heard them before, they were still entertaining and a blessed insight into the remarkable life she lived.  

Even as her memory failed her, she kept the twinkle in her eye when she saw her great-grandbabies, sang her favorite songs, or told stories.  We were blessed to have her on this Earth as long as we did and we are certain she is at peace.  Nanny was warm, compassionate, faithful, loving, happy, playful, hard working, resilient, strong, smart, funny, joyful...

We were able to gather as a family last weekend to lay her ashes to rest beside Grandpa.  She will be greatly missed.