Monday, March 31, 2008

I Miss my Momo

My grandmother, better known to us grandkids as "Momo", passed away on Friday night at the age of 72. She had been battling kidney cancer for two and half years, and while I'm glad her pain is gone, I wasn't ready for her to go. Today, my sister and I fly down to Alabama to be with family this week. I had trip planned to visit her at the end of this month, as I was worried and wanted to see her before I was too far along in my pregnancy to travel. Sadly, it seems it was a little too late.

As the oldest two grandchildren by 10 years, we were lucky enough to spend thirty years with grandparents who always seemed so young in comparison to others. As the oldest grandchild, I had the all important grandparent naming rights. Hence the name Momo, which I think was simply an extension of mom. Perhaps more strange was my choice of D-daddy for my grandfather, which stemmed from my inability to say "Granddaddy".

It would be difficult for me to imagine a grandmother more ideal than Momo. She was endlessly cheerful and in good spirits, even when dealing with horrible side effects from immunotherapy drugs to treat cancer. Whenever things went wrong, she just uttered her trademark term "oh well". I, who was much more impatient and temperamental, always wished I could better emulate her.

I always felt that she was a key connection to my mom, who passed away nearly ten years ago. She and my mom were similar in their calm attitude in an environment of chaos. (My mom could withstand a peanut butter sandwich in a VCR, while Momo had 4 children some of whom especially kept her busy). Of course, mom was a little more fiery and ready for debate, but I'd say she got that from D-daddy. I am glad to know they are together again.

Momo offered the best sympathies as I struggled to get pregnant. She would tell me with annoyance how her friends kept telling her that "things would happen when the time was right" and would instead relate to my frustration. She was the second family I told when I finally got that positive pregnancy test in January, and she was so very excited about the prospect of her great-granchild. She immediately began crocheting a girl baby sweater, and after that she completed a boy's one too. When I mentioned my nervousness about the potential for miscarriage, she advised that it was pointless to worry. She said that cancer had taught her to embrace good news whenever it comes your way and not to fret over the bad unless you had too.

I miss you Momo.

25 comments:

Kelly said...

Hugs to you during this tough time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy V said...

Jen I am so sorry for your loss. hugs to you as you go through this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for you loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. (((hugs)))

George said...

This will be a difficult week for you and your family - I pray you all have the strength you need right now.

Anonymous said...

Please accept my sympathies. Grandmothers are so special! Your Momo sounds like an angel on earth. Take care of yourself. Hugs and prayers.

Lauren said...

I'm very sorry for your loss. That sounds really cliche, but I really am sorry. i'm very close to my grandmother as well.

Nicky said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that you are able to find some comfort in the time spent with your family this week.

Barb said...

oh man I'm so sorry. It's so hard to go through this. I hate it. I'm very similar to you. I'm the oldest grandchild on both sides, so got more years with all my grandparents too. I had 30 yrs with my grandfather who just died this past November. I still miss him and think about him every day. All my best wishes to you and your family.

Lollipop Goldstein said...

I am so sorry about your grandmum. Just sending you good thoughts, sweetie.

KatieM said...

Oh sweetie, I am so sorry to hear about your "Momo". I wondered where you had gone too.

~hugs~

Shelby said...

Sending lots of hugs to you and your family. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother.

Mazzy said...

I am so terribly sorry for your loss, my prayers are with your family.

Scarlet O'Kara said...

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beloved Momo. Keep yourself warm in the loving memories of her.

Sunny said...

Condolences on losing Momo, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad you are able to spend time with your family, celebrating what sounds like a special woman.

jenn said...

I'm so sorry for your loss- your Momo sounds like my Mema- I hope they are trading recipes & having a ball right now.
{{hugs}}

Jennifer said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. xo

Maria said...

I am so deeply sorry for your loss.

Just know that you and your family and Momo are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jendeis said...

I'm so sorry. Many hugs for you and yours.

Jen said...

I am so sorry for you. All my sympathies.

Laura said...

Jen I am so sorry for your loss. Just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts.

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Birdee said...

I'm so sorry about your momo. ~hugs~. Your words and memories are beautiful of her and your Mom.

sarah23 said...

That was a lovely tribute to your Momo. My thoughts are with you!

Geohde said...

I am so sorry for your loss,

J

Anonymous said...

Oh, Jen, I am so sorry. I haven't been able to really keep up with all my blogs becasue of work.

{{{HUGS}}} I know this is hard and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.