My Grandmother passed away yesterday.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

She was the matriarch of our dysfunctional family. 91 years of breaking people's balls :)

She taught me to cook when I was 6 and showed me how a girl born in Lithuania could come to America and make it her own.

I am sort of beside myself today - my apologies.

[demnan]

1. My condolences to you

It's always hard to lose a close family member, even if they are elderly and have lived a full life.

At least she knew you were engaged and settling down. All they want for us is to be happy.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

3. Whenever I would see her it would be "When are you getting married?"

I had hoped she wold make it til then. :cry:

But she went knowing her grand children (her pride and joy) were happy

[eyesroll]

2. Sorry for your loss, Josh.

:hug:

It sounds like your family was lucky to have her guidance for so long. Please take care of yourself.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

5. Thanks, I'm hanging in

I am a little nervous about how the alcoholics in my fam are going to behave - especially my father who is prone to infantile behavior. Uncharted territory indeed. But thanks!

[Justice]

4. 91 Years Is Amazing

It is very sad to lose someone no matter how long they have been with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

7. Thank you very much

:thumbsup:

[terrya]

6. I'm very, very, sorry. Josh.

That's heartbreaking. I know how much you loved her.

Here's a :hug: if it helps.

T

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. Thanks T - I need hugs today

I saw her in the hospital and I said my goodbyes - I watched my big brother kneel and lay his head next to hers and stroke her face - I thought I was ready. I was not.

Thanks for the love Terry - truly

[matcom]

9. sorry Pal. very sad to hear.

rest in peace.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

12. Thanks Matcom - it brings a smile to my face to read condolences while

a purple hippo smacks an invisible ass!

[liberalmuse]

10. To live 91 years...

and have people still adore you is no minor feat.

I'm sorry that you lost someone dear to you.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

13. To have people adore you when you're a sarcastic foul mouthed lady

is no minor feat indeed - she was as bold with her words as she was with her love

Thanks for your thoughts, truly

[ronnykmarshall]

82. Sarcastic? Foul mouthed?

Sounds like my kinda gal!

RIP Grandma!

What till she meets my Nanny, they'll get along just great.

:hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

89. Excellent!

Its gonna be a fun time when we're all together again!

[ps1074]

11. I am sorry to hear it

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

14. Thank you!

:)

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. CST, I would be beside myself too.

I am so sorry. When my grandfather died, it was like history (at least some of it) went with him. Wrap yourself in wonderful memories today. My thoughts are with you.

:hug: Laura

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

17. Thanks Laura - I appreciate it. I think I'll wrap myself in the afghan she

crochéd that is wider at one end :)

Thats the best way to remember her - I'll dust off the horribly tacky knick knacks she gave me when they sold her house. Her medical costs made it so that we had to sell the family home to Quinnipiac University :cry:

Woo boy! This is tough!

Thanks for your support!

[Piperay]

16. I'm so sorry

she sounds like a very special person. O8)

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

18. She was the best - thanks!

She told the best dirty jokes! :)

[Beware the Beast Man]

19. I'm awfully sorry-

She did sound like a character though. My wife's grandmother is 93, so sometimes it's refreshing to get a dose of that old world mentality. My condolences...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

22. Thanks Brian - I appreciate it

You hug Mrs Beastman for me, won't cha?

[mac56]

20. My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family.

She sounds like a remarkable woman. You were blessed to have her in your life for so long.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

21. Amen to that - she was responsible for my love of cooking which I cite as

my introduction to being a liberal. She taught me that the way to the heart of a family is through what they cook - and that applies to the grand scale of human interaction. There is no better way to show that you care about someone than to show interest in what they eat.

Oh God, I'm rambling now.

Thank you !

[YellowRubberDuckie]

23. I'm so sorry for your loss....

...and don't apologize for being beside yourself, this woman has been in your life since you were born, and for the first time she's not. You have every right to be upset. I'm so sorry, and only hope that our prayers and good thoughts will help comfort you in this time. :hug:
Duckie

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

68. Thanks Duckie!

I appreciate it. I can't wait to get out of work

[Magrittes Pipe]

24. Damn, Josh. I'm sorry to hear that.

Hang in there, buddy. :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

26. Thanks, bro - I'm doing my best

She was a tough old broad and she stuck i out for a long time - I just miss her a lot

Thanks again! :hug:

[russian33]

25. My condolences to you and your family

Had to bury one of my grandmothers 3 years ago, and it sitll hurts...so now I cherish every moment I get to spend with the last grandma, grandmas are amazing!

May she rest in peace.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

28. Thanks man

It is hard - this is the 1st close family member I've lost - so I'm trying to figure out how I feel right now.

Thank you !

[tishaLA]

27. My deepest sympathies.

I will be thinking of you and your grandmother.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

32. Thank you!

I appreciate the energy!

[Phillycat]

29. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Be as beside yourself as you need to be--we don't care. :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

33. Lol - aren't I usually beside myself?

I keep looking over at that freak at the keyboard sayin "Do some work, you're gonna get fired!"

Thanks :)

[rockymountaindem]

30. Please accept my condolences.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

35. Accepted

And thank you, very much

[johnnie]

31. Sorry to hear this

My condolences to you and your family. Take care...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

37. I'll do my best Johnnie - I gota hold it together cause my Brother is in

shambles - he was the favorite grandson. I gotta keep strong for him.

[babylonsister]

34. My sympathies also.

It's tough losing a loved one, especially one that has had such an influence on you. Celebrate her long life!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

40. I will - there is much to celebrate - The firebrand lived a long and

storied life. I'll never forget how she scared the crap out of my Mom - she was very protective of her boys. :)

[BigMcLargehuge]

36. my condolences brother...

please accept the best wishes of the McLargehuge family during your time of loss.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

38. Thanks man, The DU love is essential right now

Please hug your whole fam for me. :grouphug:

[pagerbear]

39. ((((((((((((((((((((((CSTT)))))))))))))))))))))))))

:hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

41. Now I'm gonna cry at work

Thanks a lot Pager :)

:hug:

[pagerbear]

43. Crying is OK.

Well, except in meetings. I wouldn't recommend it in meetings.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

45. I have one in a few minutes - I already look like death frosted over

gonna be one for the record books. Thank GOD for breavement days - tomorrow's the funeral

[pagerbear]

47. Honey, I'd have taken today, too!

Go home after your meeting--or before it!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

48. I gotta tie up some loose end - I took Yesterday and I have wednesday

and half of thursday. Wish me luck - with my insane family its gonna be interesting.

I'm gonna stick close to the Lounge today - for sanity. Kind of ironic eh?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

42. Where is Koolzip? I DEMAND KOOLZIP!!!!

Friends in need are friends indeed!

[Wat_Tyler]

44. Sorry to hear that, CSTT. Keep on keeping on.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

46. Thanks Brother - I'm just "going with it" as it were

Trying to understand the profound emotions which took me totally by surprise - imagine that!
Thanks!

[tigereye]

49. hey C

much care to you. Grandmas are way cool and she sounded like a really great lady. :grouphug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

50. Thanks TE - I appreciate the hugs

I am confronted with how much she really meant to me.

You know, its funny - while she was sick I though I had prepared, I had said goodbye - that kind of thing - but when I think that that beautiful woman stopped breathing - that she stopped being - man - that kills somehow.

Thanks for the love!

:hug:

[tigereye]

51. I don't know that we are ever really prepared

please be good to yourself. :) anytime.

[brook]

54. I'm sorry for your loss.

Your Grandmother seems to have been a strong, wise and loving woman to whom you were deeply connected. I admire your concerns for others in the family - just don't neglect your own self. Mourning isn't on a schedule and is more complicated than any prescribed protocol. It's uniquely individual. Here's a :hug: to put in your pocket.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

65. Thanks - you know - I don't know how I feel

Its a strange circumstance. Its easier for me to worry about others than deal with my own feelings. Need to refocus.

Thanks for your words and energy

[bif]

52. Take care of yourself, Chav!

Sorry to hear about your grandma. Did you call her Busha? That's what we called my Polish Grandma.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

53. Actually - she always went by her name Anna. Her middle name was Minnie

So, for us, she was always Anna Min. Thats how I'll always remember her.

Thanks Bif!

[redqueen]

55. I'm so sorry for your loss

My prayers will be with you and your family... you were lucky to have her in your life for so long. Sending good vibes to you and yours...

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

56. Thank you thank you

It means alot :hug:

[sniffa]

57. my condoLences

i hope you and your famiLy make it through. :D :D

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

58. Thanks - I hope the drunks survive the night

:)

[TOhioLiberal]

59. My condolences...

...I understand where you are coming from...my mom passed away Sunday.
Take it easy, and be good to yourself. :hug: :pals: :grouphug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

62. OH - TL - My heart goes out to you and your family

:hug:

[TOhioLiberal]

69. my heart goes out to yours too...

...take it easy...:hug:

[Philostopher]

60. Sometimes it's harder to lose them ...

when they're crotchety and opinionated, ain't it?

I lost both my grandmothers before I graduated high school. My dad's mother was one of those 'nice, cooks everything, wears floursack dresses' grandmothers (though she didn't like me -- I looked like my mother, who stole her baby boy!), and I did grieve and miss her.

But I didn't miss her half as much as my mother's mother, who had died a few years earlier. She was a Scots-Irish high school English teacher who eventually became the principal. She'd never planned to have kids, and hadn't even been sure she'd marry until she met my grandfather. She was always disappointed in my mother and aunt, neither of whom ever got a college degree. She was opinionated, outspoken and very intelligent, and I still miss her, and that was a quarter of a century ago. I helped care for her in her declining years -- she was mentally acute, though nearly deaf, until she was 93. Even after that, she had moments of clarity, though most of what she remembered was about gardening and plants. She had a kickass garden right up to that year. She was 96 years old when she died.

My sympathies are with you -- I know how hard it is for families to lose somebody who's been the spiritual leader for a couple of generations. Hang in there!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

63. Will do - thanks for sharing

It is comforting!

[JimmyJazz]

61. I am terribly sorry to hear about your loss. I was wondering where

you had been lately. After posting this, I went back and read ALL the other posts. I laughed at some and cried at others. She must have been one hellava woman and it's reflected in the way people here have taken to her grandson. Take care.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

64. Thank you. I like to think she did a good job

But I am biased :)

[Wapsie B]

66. Sorry for your loss.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

67. Thank you very much

:)

[Dookus]

70. Very sorry, Chavez....

you were lucky to have had her so long.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

71. Sure was - her last few years were rough as she had a number of strokes

so her communication was very low. But she was always herself. She would struggle to get words out but could still swear up a blue streak :)

[flamingyouth]

72. I'm very sorry to hear this, Josh

She sounds like an amazing person. I wish I could have met her. You're in my thoughts. :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

75. Thanks - and I hope you're doing well

Feeling very huggy today :hug:

[Richardo]

73. Condolences to you and your family, CST

:hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

76. Thanks. The hugs are needed and welcome

:hug:

[henslee]

74. Lucky to have her so long.

I'm sure you'll honor her memory.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

77. Yeah - just hope my Dad doesn't honor her too much

if you know what I'm sayin'

Thank you

[miss_kitty]

78. ah ChavezSpeakstheTruth

I just read her joke, and then saw this post. I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was a pistol and you are all better for having known her for a long time. Not long enough though.:cry:

Killer joke, BTW :D

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

84. My first loss - Its a very odd numbness I feel right now

I did some crying last night to be sure. It really has focused me on making sure the people I love know that I love them while I still have time.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[captainjack]

79. i'm so sorry for your loss

fiesty grandmas are the best. now, every time you cook, you can honor her memory!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

85. I am going to make her signature dish tonight - Kugelis - Lithuanian

potato pie.

Its our family dish!

[ronnykmarshall]

80. I'm so sorry.

Sounds like she was a kick!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

86. She sure was - a pistol if there ever was one. My Mom called her

Kerosene Annie - because she would threaten to burn my mother alive. Ain't love grand?

[nini]

81. My deepest sympathies...

Grandmas are the best and I understand your pain.

:hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

87. Thanks - here's a hug back at'cha

:hug:

[Chovexani]

83. Wow. So sorry to hear that.

My grandmother was also 91 when she passed last year.

You and your family are in my thoughts today. :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

88. Thank you - and my condolences to your fam!

:hug:

[VelmaD]

90. Sorry to hear about your gramma

Grammas in their 90s ROCK! Both of mine are feisty little old ladies in their 90s and lord knows I'm gonna miss 'em when they're gone.

I'm glad you had yours for so long and that you have such fun memories of her. Be well. :hug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

91. Thanks Velma!

I do have alot of memories :)