So maybe this has become my once a year blog. Is that a thing, annual blogging? I suppose it is now.
Today is a special day because it is the day of my grandmothers passing. Today marks 2 years and thankfully this year hurts less than last. This year I can feel the gratitude of having had her in my life for so long. I can appreciate the legacy she left behind and I have greater acceptance of the fact that she is no longer here. That is not to say that my heart does not still long for her presence or that the scars of loss do not sting, however I would rather focus on celebrating her life than mourning the loss. I am sure she would have it that way.
So here are a few things I think you should know about her........
Her name was Setsu Iwata Williams. I called her Obaasan. She grew up in Sapporo, Japan. As a child she told me stories of her childhood and surviving WWII. She never complained about hardships, on the contrary her stories were often full of humor and silly antics. She moved to the States and became a citizen after marrying my grandfather who was a military man.
She loved fashion! When I would stay at her house we spent many nights thumbing through fashion magazines. We compared new styles with styles of the past. We ooohed and ahhhhed and giggled at the models in the photos, we had fun together.
Her cooking was nothing short of fantastic. It was in large part what made the holidays so great! As we all grew older cooking became a family affair with everyone in and around the kitchen. She was always the head chef and the kitchen was her domain.
There are so many more things about her that I could share, these are but a few. Enough for today, maybe more next year. No promises on that though. It may become my once every 2 year blog ;)
This day is getting older,
in fading light it's beautiful.
This wind is blowing colder,
and too soon I'll feel it's pull.
Still, I took all my chances,
earned myself an even score.
Try to learn my lessons well.
And I don't have the answers,
for those questions anymore.
Only love can beat both heaven and hell.
So sturdy up, sturdy up your heart,
for the road is long ahead.
I'll be with you even though we're apart,
but your road is yours to tread.
And so it goes, and so it goes,
and so it goes, slows your mind, mind, mind,
so it goes... and so it goes, and so it goes, slows your mind, mind, mind.
I've grown old on this ocean,
gave her all, my stronger years.
Gave my wife my devotion,
when she died, the ocean my tears.
I've tried to teach you well son,
all of everything I knew.
Of how to live this life be true.
Don't bow your head to no one,
and no matter what you do,
if you start then see it through.
So sturdy up, sturdy up your heart,
for the road is long ahead.
I'll be with you even though we're apart,
but your road is yours to tread.
And so it goes, and so it goes,
and so it goes, slows your mind, mind, mind,
so it goes... and so it goes, and so it goes, slows your mind, mind, mind.
-The Beautiful Girls
La Mar
