Rest In Peace, Grandma

A week ago I got a call from my mother.  My grandma had passed away.  There was a moment of silence.  It was not unexpected, but then one can never really be prepared for the death of a family member.  It was especially challenging because this was the first grandparent of mine to pass away.

As I finished that call, I began a week of remembrance and catharsis.  I knew that grandma was in heaven.  As the priest said at her funeral Mass “She had one foot in heaven while here on earth!  She had everything the Church could give her!”  She had lived a life of virtue that should be esteemed; however it was through this week that I discovered how truly humble she was.

I had only known my Grandmother in her later years, when it was hard for her to get around.  When grandpa would help her with the most basic functions.  When you would have to speak up to keep her in the conversation.  In the days before her funeral, we got out old photos and I saw a different woman, one of elegance and grace.  I saw a woman who put her faith and her family first and thought of herself second.

It was here that I saw just how devout she was.  She was the only person in her grade school class to graduate high school.  She had been a professional accountant during and after WWII.  When she got married, she focused on making her home the best it could be.  She was frugal, focused, and faithful.  She also made it a point to pass these traits on to her children.

And then it hit me - I have my faith largely due to my family.  My father has his faith largely due to his family.  Bertha Mette played no small part in my faith journey.  Thank you, grandma for your faithfulness.  You are a model of Christian faithfulness.  I am a better person because of you.