I had an entirely different gratitude post planned for today. Half-written, I got up early this morning to finish it. But for some reason, the words wouldn't flow. My gratitude seemed disjointed and I was left with the thought of Who would care about that?
Then, at 6:42am, in the midst of the breakfast scramble, I received the call to let me know my Nanna had passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of this morning.
Almost two years ago, my Nanna was given only 3-6 months to live. For someone who had been a picture of health her entire life, the news was a shock to us all. And so we prepared ourselves for the inevitable. We made many trips to visit her, not knowing when her last moment would be. We inwardly grieved and prayed that she would not have to endure a slow, painful death.
And as each month passed, we waited for the call.
But she fought. She has always been a strong woman - humble, but a fighter. Her quiet inner strength is something that I can only hope for a portion of.
And so when the call came this morning, I felt a flood of sadness mixed with relief and gratitude wash over me.
I am sad, yes. But I am also reflecting on the life of this beautiful person I was so blessed to call my grandmother....
I am grateful for the extra time afforded us. The moments sitting in her granny-flat - talking, laughing, watching football, being quiet together.
I am grateful for the wisdom she imparted to me over the years.
I am grateful for her kindness and compassion.
I am grateful for her quiet strength and her ability to see the good in everyone.
I am grateful for the strong bond we had..
I am grateful that she was able to meet all of her great-grandchildren who absolutely adored her and she them.
I am grateful that in all of the hardships throughout her life - the death of two husbands and her children - she never, ever gave up.
I am grateful that in her final days, she was not in any pain.
This woman. This most beautiful, amazing woman was a fighter, right up until her last breath. And I am so grateful that I had the privilege of calling her my grandmother.
