Mr. Fuji’s grandmother passed away yesterday. This comes with a mix of emotions. Sadness because of the loss, but gratitude that things didn’t drag out and she didn’t have to suffer very long. It has been an honor and a privilege to get to know this incredible woman. Eleanor, or Ellie as she was called, spent her life serving her family.
My MIL recently found a quote in an article that said (talking about someone’s mother), “She didn’t wear her heart on her sleeve. It lived in her hands.” This describes Ellie perfectly. Evidence of her love can be found in the Mr. and Mrs. Claus she crocheted for each of her married grandchildren, the crocheted afghans that were given to each grandchild when they got married, and then the afghans that were given upon the birth of their first child. Her infamous strawberry rhubarb pie (the mention of which gets Mr. Fuji salivating) and her homemade chicken noodle soup (noodles also homemade, of course). She used to play The Entertainer on the piano when Mr. Fuji was a little boy because he loved to dance around to it. Every Saturday morning she got up and cooked a big breakfast for her husband of 63 years. Even as arthritis set in and her hands got more and more difficult to use, she still pushed on continuing to cook and crochet despite how painful it must have been. Ellie also had a great sense of humor and the incredible ability to laugh at herself.
As we bid farewell to this wonderful woman I just hope I can pass on her legacy to my children. I want them to know to know about her and how she has shaped our family. As I raise my children I hope I can draw upon her example and be a little better.
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
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Best wishes for you and yours during this time.
What a beautiful picture of Ellie and Squirrel. I’m sure her influence will continue to be felt in your family forever.
I’m sorry to hear of her passing but glad that the family can remember her with such sweet memories! A wonderful tribute and a darling picture! It is a shame our kids don’t get to know our grandparents as well or that they do but forget so quickly. Like you said, hopefully you can keep the memory of her alive in your home, in your crafting, and for the sake of Mr. Fuji’s pie cravings, in your cooking too!
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman! I am very sorry for your loss – I’m thinking of you all.
I am sorry for your loss. Your tribute was wonderful. She sounds like she was an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing a tiny part of her with us.
Ohh, I’m so sorry. I hope you and squirrel and Mr. Fuji are doing okay. All of our heartfelt condolences go out to you guys.
I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s loss. She sounds like a wonderful lady and we should all learn to live with our hearts in our hands.
I will be remembering the quote at the bottom of your post. Thank you.
Sorry to hear about your loss. It never seems to get easier, does it? But it sounds like you have some beautiful memories and pictures.
So sad.
Grandma will be missed…We were really fortunate to spend a bit of time with her before she passed.
It was good to see you and little Squirrel, Caleb is going to miss his friend!
Sorry to hear that. She sounded lovely.