In one weekend we mourned the loss of our dear Grandma-lita, and celebrated the new life of our baby Elliot. It was a pretty intensely emotional time, and you couldn't help but think about how short our time on earth is. Of course you can pack in a lot of experiences in one lifetime, like our Grandma-lita showed us.
You may have known her as Justina, Tinin, Abuelita, Grandma-lita, or by the most recent name used by her great-grandchildren, GG. She celebrated her 89th birthday last year, and even though she was slowing down because of illnesses she was still attending her great grandaughter's 7th birthday party at a bowling alley, and hiking with the family over the Thanksgiving weekend. She was very involved with her family right until the end of her life. We're grateful that she was able to visit us in the hospital when Elliot was born. She was overjoyed that we named him Elliot, the name she absolutely loved, and not the other name she really didn't like. I love that she always had such strong opinions about everything. You never had to guess how she felt about something!
She grew up in Panama, one of four sisters. Life was different back then she had told me. There wasn't so much crime, children respected their parents, and followed rules like a strict curfew. She told me about how her whole family had to tag along on the dates of her older sisters.
We had a lovely funeral for her. At the funeral her two children spoke and I learned things about her that I had never known. OK, so I only knew her four years and there's many, many things I'm sure that I don't know about her. But it was fun to hear more about her in the different stages of her life. Her father enrolled her in an English speaking high school, and although it was very difficult for her, she graduated and was able to use English throughout the rest of her life. She had a glamorous job working for Pan American Airlines and was able to fly to many places in South America, and meet some famous people like John Wayne.
She attended a party with some Americans and saw a tall, dark, and handsome man. She said to herself, I'm going to marry that man. And she did. She married Ralph Olson in Panama and soon after moved to California where Ralph had grown up. She worked for a short time in San Francisco, and loved how all the business men and women dressed up wearing hats and gloves. She was blessed with two cute children, Jeffrey Paul and Aileen Sylvia.
She told me to appreciate the time when your kids are young. It is the most joyous time of your life. Ralph graduated from UC Berkeley, and they raised their children nearby in the El Sobrante area. They loved camping in many places throughout California, and spending time at the beach in Santa Cruz.
Both of their children served missions and attended college at BYU. While their daughter Aileen was serving a mission in Venezuela, Ralph suffered a severe heart attack and suddenly passed away at a young age. They were married for about 30 years, but Tinin had about another 30 years ahead of her without her sweetheart.
She was very involved in her grandchildrens' lives. She picked them up from school, asked about their day, and made them fun snacks like toasted raisin bread with cheese. At the funeral Erin, Britton, Derek, Kelsey, and Alex all shared some of their favorite memories with their grandma. I wish I could share exactly what the grand-kids, Jeff and Aileen said about their grandma and mom. There are many things I missed in my short story of her life.
Elliot was blessed in church on February 6th. It's amazing to think about how much potential there is in this little guy. Who knows what kind of things he'll experience in his lifetime, and what the world will be like in the future. There are definitely some important milestones we hope he will have like choosing to be baptised, serving a mission, falling in love and getting married, raising kids and living a long, faithful life. Just like his GG. Britton included all these hopes we have for him in the blessing he gave.
I thought a lot about the purpose life since this weekend where we remembered GG's life and celebrated Elliot's potential. I learned from GG to appreciate where I am right now in my life. Kids grow up quickly. Britton's mom said to remember to tell people you love them while you still can. We are with our families for the most difficult and joyous times in our lives, and hopefully we can become better people through this life's experiences and be prepared to return to our Father in Heaven.
In one weekend we mourned the loss of our dear Grandma-lita, and celebrated the new life of our baby Elliot. It was a pretty intensely emotional time, and you couldn't help but think about how short our time on earth is. Of course you can pack in a lot of experiences in one lifetime, like our Grandma-lita showed us.
You may have known her as Justina, Tinin, Abuelita, Grandma-lita, or by the most recent name used by her great-grandchildren, GG. She celebrated her 89th birthday last year, and even though she was slowing down because of illnesses she was still attending her great grandaughter's 7th birthday party at a bowling alley, and hiking with the family over the Thanksgiving weekend. She was very involved with her family right until the end of her life. We're grateful that she was able to visit us in the hospital when Elliot was born. She was overjoyed that we named him Elliot, the name she absolutely loved, and not the other name she really didn't like. I love that she always had such strong opinions about everything. You never had to guess how she felt about something!
She grew up in Panama, one of four sisters. Life was different back then she had told me. There wasn't so much crime, children respected their parents, and followed rules like a strict curfew. She told me about how her whole family had to tag along on the dates of her older sisters.
We had a lovely funeral for her. At the funeral her two children spoke and I learned things about her that I had never known. OK, so I only knew her four years and there's many, many things I'm sure that I don't know about her. But it was fun to hear more about her in the different stages of her life. Her father enrolled her in an English speaking high school, and although it was very difficult for her, she graduated and was able to use English throughout the rest of her life. She had a glamorous job working for Pan American Airlines and was able to fly to many places in South America, and meet some famous people like John Wayne.
She attended a party with some Americans and saw a tall, dark, and handsome man. She said to herself, I'm going to marry that man. And she did. She married Ralph Olson in Panama and soon after moved to California where Ralph had grown up. She worked for a short time in San Francisco, and loved how all the business men and women dressed up wearing hats and gloves. She was blessed with two cute children, Jeffrey Paul and Aileen Sylvia.
She told me to appreciate the time when your kids are young. It is the most joyous time of your life. Ralph graduated from UC Berkeley, and they raised their children nearby in the El Sobrante area. They loved camping in many places throughout California, and spending time at the beach in Santa Cruz.
Both of their children served missions and attended college at BYU. While their daughter Aileen was serving a mission in Venezuela, Ralph suffered a severe heart attack and suddenly passed away at a young age. They were married for about 30 years, but Tinin had about another 30 years ahead of her without her sweetheart.
She was very involved in her grandchildrens' lives. She picked them up from school, asked about their day, and made them fun snacks like toasted raisin bread with cheese. At the funeral Erin, Britton, Derek, Kelsey, and Alex all shared some of their favorite memories with their grandma. I wish I could share exactly what the grand-kids, Jeff and Aileen said about their grandma and mom. There are many things I missed in my short story of her life.
Elliot was blessed in church on February 6th. It's amazing to think about how much potential there is in this little guy. Who knows what kind of things he'll experience in his lifetime, and what the world will be like in the future. There are definitely some important milestones we hope he will have like choosing to be baptised, serving a mission, falling in love and getting married, raising kids and living a long, faithful life. Just like his GG. Britton included all these hopes we have for him in the blessing he gave.
I thought a lot about the purpose life since this weekend where we remembered GG's life and celebrated Elliot's potential. I learned from GG to appreciate where I am right now in my life. Kids grow up quickly. Britton's mom said to remember to tell people you love them while you still can. We are with our families for the most difficult and joyous times in our lives, and hopefully we can become better people through this life's experiences and be prepared to return to our Father in Heaven.
6 comments:
WHat a beautiful post about a beautiful woman. I am sad that I hadn't seen her for so long. She was always so kind to me. And what a beautiful family picture!
Beautifully said...
What a fantastic tribute to a fantastic woman! We sure do miss her. Thank you for writing such a great post Renee.
Sweet, sweet tribute. Loved reading it and seeing all the old pictures.
Oh Renee, thank you so much.
That was a beautiful post! Thanks Nene...
Unfortunately I read it at the office and everyone is wondering why their broker is bawling like a little girl!
Jeff
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