Memories with Grandma
To me Arline Parker was my Grandma but she was also a Grandma to my brothers, my cousin Timmy, and to his two boys Dane and Daniel. But to everyone else here she has been a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, or a colleague. She was a woman with many different roles to many different people. She was a woman who loved her family and friends and would do anything for them. Her life was a gift to all of us who had known her and loved her. But while we all gather here to commemorate Grandma’s life we should not feel sadden for her passing but happy for the time we had and all the memories we have of her.
Some of my fondest memories are with spending time with Grandma, I remember when I was younger and my brothers and I would go and spend a week with Grandma during Christmas break. She always greeted us boys at the door with her usual smile and greeting “Hello Grandsons” as she was so famous for. She would already have our beds made in her spare room for us to sleep in. She usually only had enough food for her so we would go grocery shopping with her for the week. It was fun because Grandma would let us choose whatever we wanted to eat for the week. We would grab what any other kids our age would love to eat: pizza, ice cream, candy, cookies and whatever else our little hearts desired. And of course it wouldn’t be time well spent with Grandma if there weren’t a couple McDonalds and Starbucks trips throughout the week. And it wouldn’t be complete without Grandma’s signature saying “Is everybody happy”? My parents would get on her for letting us “eat all that junk” but it was only because she loved us and wanted us to be happy as she wanted everybody she loved to be happy. One thing Grandma wanted was for all of us to live life to the fullest, just as she did.
Another thing Grandma wanted to pass down to all was her sense of humor and the ability to look at life and laugh. Grandma was one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. I remember how she used to make me laugh by telling me how she would find an old biker with a long white beard and they would ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. When I’d call to talk to her and see how she was doing she and she would say to me “Grandson you would be proud I got my serving of fruits and vegetables for today!” And I’d ask her what see had had and she would reply “Well I had some fried potatoes with some onions in them and a glass of Sunny D.” Or when she come to visit for the weekend I’d ask her need some help unloading her car Grandma and she’d say “Ya I better get some help I might accidentally get some exercise.” But maybe the funniest thing about Grandma was how funny she was when she got mad, especially at strangers or other people. You dare not cut off my Grandma on the road or forget to put extra whip cream on her caramel frappucccino for fear of a severe tongue lashing or if she got mad enough possibly the old one finger salute. She could always find a way to make me laugh even if she didn’t men to and I will always love her for ability to do that.
But as we sit here and remember Grandma and the memories we have of her let us not be sad but happy because that’s what Grandma would have wanted. Before I go I would like to share a poem with you all to help and comfort us, its called “To Those Whom I love & Those Who Love Me”
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear,
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a 'Welcome Home'.
To me Arline Parker was my Grandma but she was also a Grandma to my brothers, my cousin Timmy, and to his two boys Dane and Daniel. But to everyone else here she has been a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, or a colleague. She was a woman with many different roles to many different people. She was a woman who loved her family and friends and would do anything for them. Her life was a gift to all of us who had known her and loved her. But while we all gather here to commemorate Grandma’s life we should not feel sadden for her passing but happy for the time we had and all the memories we have of her.
Some of my fondest memories are with spending time with Grandma, I remember when I was younger and my brothers and I would go and spend a week with Grandma during Christmas break. She always greeted us boys at the door with her usual smile and greeting “Hello Grandsons” as she was so famous for. She would already have our beds made in her spare room for us to sleep in. She usually only had enough food for her so we would go grocery shopping with her for the week. It was fun because Grandma would let us choose whatever we wanted to eat for the week. We would grab what any other kids our age would love to eat: pizza, ice cream, candy, cookies and whatever else our little hearts desired. And of course it wouldn’t be time well spent with Grandma if there weren’t a couple McDonalds and Starbucks trips throughout the week. And it wouldn’t be complete without Grandma’s signature saying “Is everybody happy”? My parents would get on her for letting us “eat all that junk” but it was only because she loved us and wanted us to be happy as she wanted everybody she loved to be happy. One thing Grandma wanted was for all of us to live life to the fullest, just as she did.
Another thing Grandma wanted to pass down to all was her sense of humor and the ability to look at life and laugh. Grandma was one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. I remember how she used to make me laugh by telling me how she would find an old biker with a long white beard and they would ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. When I’d call to talk to her and see how she was doing she and she would say to me “Grandson you would be proud I got my serving of fruits and vegetables for today!” And I’d ask her what see had had and she would reply “Well I had some fried potatoes with some onions in them and a glass of Sunny D.” Or when she come to visit for the weekend I’d ask her need some help unloading her car Grandma and she’d say “Ya I better get some help I might accidentally get some exercise.” But maybe the funniest thing about Grandma was how funny she was when she got mad, especially at strangers or other people. You dare not cut off my Grandma on the road or forget to put extra whip cream on her caramel frappucccino for fear of a severe tongue lashing or if she got mad enough possibly the old one finger salute. She could always find a way to make me laugh even if she didn’t men to and I will always love her for ability to do that.
But as we sit here and remember Grandma and the memories we have of her let us not be sad but happy because that’s what Grandma would have wanted. Before I go I would like to share a poem with you all to help and comfort us, its called “To Those Whom I love & Those Who Love Me”
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear,
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you come this way alone,
