The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose
petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children's
children. It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us
that their history becomes a future. ~Charles
and Ann Morse\
Click here to enjoy a song for Mamere while you read.
My grandmother passed away this week. When I learned she was in her final hours, I longed to make the trip from Vancouver to be with family but quickly realized this would not be possible. Instead, my brother and I began to search back with fondness and tears through our memories of the Mamere we know and love.
My grandmother passed away this week. When I learned she was in her final hours, I longed to make the trip from Vancouver to be with family but quickly realized this would not be possible. Instead, my brother and I began to search back with fondness and tears through our memories of the Mamere we know and love.
We never knew how lucky we were as kids to be able
to walk or bike down the street to our grandparents’ house. As children, we rarely truly appreciate all that
we absorb from those around us. It wasn’t uncommon to bump into Mamere and
Papa on the #5 bus after school or at Billings Bridge. They were always together and ever present. Having
been blessed by this proximity I can now look back and see how the time spent with
my grandmother imbibed me with many of the attributes that helped me become who
I am today.
Mamere was humble and reserved with a quiet determination
but she taught us about strength; strength to reach our goals and strength to
be true to ourselves and to those dearest to us.
She was at times no- nonsense (someone else in the
house took care of the bulk of the tomfoolery) but more apparent was her
creativity, curiosity and calm playfulness.
She admired independence and was a model of life-long
learning.
She encouraged me through projects like knitting,
collaborated with me on art projects and word searches and taught me to play a
mean game of steal the pack.
Her great-grandchildren may not have had the chance
to know her as we did as her eldest grandchildren, but they will no doubt know
the stories and benefit from the strength of character Mamere and Papa helped
to shape in us.
We love you, Mamere and couldn’t be more comforted
knowing you and Papa are together again.
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