9/11 is a memorable day of grief, shock and loss. For me, it marks the day that my Grandmother passed four years ago at the age of 93.
Her name is Elizabeth. She was a beautiful woman, and also a pioneer in the work-at-home industry. She had a sharp business mind, and an endless drive.
I moved here to take care of her, which I did for two full years until she passed. She loved her business, and she worked straight through until the age of 91.
Over those next two years we took walks, she taught me how to root cuttings, we read through all of her newspaper clippings and looked through her many photos over and over again. We started every morning at the breakfast table with two cups of coffee and a yellow sugar bowl between us, and we had the exact same conversation every single morning.
I kept that old yellow sugar bowl. It sits proudly on my kitchen counter, beneath the window that holds several cuttings now rooted into thriving potted plants. I start every day dipping into that sugar bowl with my first cup of coffee.
In memory of her success, and how much she personally inspired me, I spent two hours with a financial adviser this morning. We went over my past, present and future in business with a fine-toothed comb, and he helped me outline a strategic plan to continue moving forward with both my life and my business goals.
I made some big decisions today. Put concepts into numbers, turned ideas into plans, and it was all very liberating and very empowering.
During her last two years I ran my business from her home, usually in a chair across from her as she rested in the afternoons. Sometimes she would sit beside me on the couch as I worked on my laptop, amazed at the technology and interested to see how it worked. Sometimes she would ask me to replay my radio interviews and she would sit beside me and just listen.
After she passed, I decided to stay here. I bought a home on the street where she grew up, which is now a very quiet established neighborhood - and just 3 doors down from the house her father built himself. She is buried beside him just a few blocks from here, beneath a buckeye tree.
I visit her there, and much like the visits I described in that old blog post... sometimes I just sit in silence, beside her, and feel grateful.
Whatever your thoughts and feelings on this day, it’s a good opportunity to do something positive in memory of those loved and lost. It is our obligation to continue improving ourselves and our world, so long as we are blessed with life…
In loving memory,
About Lynn Terry
Our nation has nothing to fear as long as we have women like your grandmother - who face each day with determination, good sense, love and a sugar bowl. In you, she cultivated something more than those clippings sitting in your window. It is women like her that make America great. May God bless her memory.
What a loving tribute to your beloved Grandma, Lynn. She was indeed a beautiful woman.
I have a similar relationship with my Grandma and we moved our family back to my hometown late last year so we could help care for her.
Grandma and I have the same conversation every time we talk - and I love every minute of it. She has always been my rock and now I'm grateful to be able to be there for her.
This is wonderful. For once, I am at a loss for words.
Every time I even hear you talk about your grandma I cry. Can't help it. The love you have for her just oozes out of you and reminds me of my grandpa that passed away last year and my uncle and...
Yeah - it's the love the drives us in this life.
Love for our families, love for our friends and it keeps me going.
Blessings,
Eren
I know that bond is one of your most priceless treasures, Lynn. Rest assured she has never left you.
God bless you both.
Dan
Thank you for sharing this. I don't have any Grandparents left. When they were here I developed a special bond with both of my Grandma's. My Maternal Grandmother in particular. I only had four months with her (she moved her from England) when I was 10. I now 22 years after she passed away I still miss her and long for the talks we would have!
Thanks for bring back her memory tonight! How lucky we are to have come from such strong women and have built relationships with them before they were gone!
Thank you for a beautiful and heartfelt post Lynn. I know how important your grandmother was to you and how much she influenced your life.
A very dear friend of mine is in labor as I type this. Her due date is tomorrow and she really didn't want Mark to be born on 9/11. I have been thinking about that and it came to me that although this is a difficult day for us, perhaps there is a spirit that is reborn in any babies born today. And those new spirits are about birth, new beginnings and hope in the future. And so if little Markie is born on 9/11, I think we'll all make sure he knows what a special day he was born on.
On another note Lynn, congratulations on your vision and planning for your future! I know that you will achieve the goals you have set for yourself and your life and business. I also know that you have the wisdom to know when they need adjusting in the future and that will be okay.
Big Hug!
Corinne
If you can love, and be loved at the same time, then you can do anything. Thank you Lynn for sharing that with us. When I say a little something to my Mom tonight, who has been gone for the past ten years, I will mention your grandmother as well. Take care and all the best.
Lyle
This is so beautiful, Lynn. Thank you for sharing your grandmother's beauty and yours. How blessed you both were. I never knew my grandparents.
I am truly touched by your genuine loving words Lynn. You have given us all a gift from your heart and soul which can only come from God.
I logged onto your site because I just finished reading your "leveraging the power of competition report" and wanted to say thank you for sharing your knowledgable and obvious wisdom so graciously.
That being said, I now see that it was not the report which I was meant to read; it was the loving tribute I found upon arriving here! I am grateful to God for having found you Lynn and consider myself quite Blessed to have an opportunity to be your friend in the future. Thanks Again, and May God Bless You & Your Family Always.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Margaret
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, and for indulging me in this post of memories and nostalgia.
Our county fair opened tonight. My grandmother always loved the fair, and particularly the agricultural displays & awards. After the fair, my daughter went with me for a visit on the way home. As you know she just turned 13, a woman in the making herself.
Strong women indeed, Danielle. In every way that I am not like my grandmother, I am like my mother. I look in the mirror now, in my 30's, and see the woman that she was that I looked up to as a child.
Her mother passed when I was much younger, but was a strong and beautiful woman as well. I mentioned both grandmothers in my talk at BlissDom last year, in my story of how we came to be where we are now in regards to opportunities. Strong women indeed. My favorite memory of my maternal grandmother was her special recipe for homemade cookies, and standing beside her in the kitchen as she made them.
Not to be forgotten is my beautiful son, who is an interesting mix of my mother and his paternal grandmother. So very interesting how it appears so intricately intertwined... from past, to present, to future.
I can only hope to leave such a mark. That my children will someday look in the mirror, and see the parts of me that they love and admire the most... in that reflection.
Oh goodness, Lynn. That bit about your greatness living in your children just made me tear up again.
Strong women indeed!
Thank you for sharing your memories of your Grandmother. It brought tears to my eyes. You favor her in looks. Do people tell you that? Sounds like she was a wonderful inspiration.
My Maternal Grandmother came to live with us when I was 5 years old. She chose raising her grandchildren over getting remarried! She was 4ft 9in tall. Her father was half Cherokee, and they all had chubby cheeks and always a smile. She used to tell me funny stories about her childhood and our family, and the bad stories like The Great Depression, and how mean Hitler was. I would go into her "in-laws apartment" some days she would be crying. I would ask her what was wrong and she would say, "I miss my sister. I miss talking to her." She had seven sisters but was referring to her oldest sister Geneva, who was about seven years older than her. Geneva died when she was nineteen from a blood disorder that in today's world a B12 shot would have cured.
Now it's me sitting on the couch some days crying... because I miss talking to my Grandmother.
Typing through tears, my dear friend. You are truly a gift to me - as well as so many others.
Thank you for this. I'm going to go call my Grandma now.
Lynn,
Your tribute to not only your grandmothers but to your mother, daughter, and son speaks volumes about something that is very important but often forgotten in the rush of everyday life: love begets love. Love is one of the few things in our life that the more we give away, the more we have.
It is easy to see that your life is filled with love as you give freely of it - not only to those you know personally, but to all of us who benefit so much from it.
To answer your question about how your children will one day see you, we can only imagine what wonderful tributes they will give you.
Lynn,
Thanks for sharing your memories.You definitely have your grandmothers beauty inside and out.I know that the gifts you give to many of use come straight from the heart.You give the gift of your knowledge,time and patience.I just want you to know that it doesn't go unnoticed.God Bless you and your family.
Oh, Lynn - what an incredible legacy your grandmother has left, and what a beautiful love bond between you - beautiful, beautiful.
Thanks so much for sharing your memories. I am crying here, and typing through my tears.
My Mom, at 89, passed away September 27, 2008 - a year ago.
http://dianawalker.com/denise-eckstadt-our-mom-is-in-heaven/
and...Nicole, you were the first to post there a year ago, the first of 135 beautiful, loving responses. Thank you so much!
Here is a 10 minute video of her life, in case anyone has time to watch it!
http://dianawalker.com/denise-eckstadt-video-in-memory-of-our-mom/
My 2 sisters and I are having another Memorial for our Mom next week, when I'll be visiting with family.
Lynn -- What a beautiful grandmother to treasure forever. Her spirit still lives on in you.
Love and Hugs
Diana
Dear Diane,
I just came upon your reply to Lynn Terry's remembrance of her Grandmother's passing. I started reading the replies through my teary eyes and saw your name. I am Nicole Dean's mother.
I watched your video tribute to your mom. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know what a tremendous sorrow it is to lose your mother. My mom has been gone now for 3 years and I miss her every day, as I know you miss your mom.
The tribute was absolutely beautiful and I quite freely sobbed through the whole thing. I also smiled, just as your mom would have liked, I'm sure of it.
Even though time has passed, I still wanted to say what a lovely tribute your family has paid to your mom. She truly was a remarkable woman and raised a lovely family.
God's peace to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Patti Winker
Thanks for this Lynn - what a great role model she is for you...
September 11th is always a mixed day for me too, as it is my oldest son's birthday - just turned 15.
John turned 7 on 9/11/01, and as I was putting him to bed that night, he said "Dad, this is so unfair! I'm always gonna remember this as the day they flew airplanes into buildings."
I said, "No son, we're always gonna remember this as the day you turned 7."
I few days later when it became clear that the attacks were going to be referred to as "September 11th" he started lobbying to have his birthday changed to the 10th or the 12th. I gave it some thought, cuz he did kinda have a point.
I ended up telling him "No son, you were born on September 11, 1994 and we are not gonna let the bad guys steal your birthday."
Story gets better - I mentioned the part about not changing his birthday in my column in the newspapers, and an elderly gentleman called me up and left a voice mail saying that he turned 7 on Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day), had tried to get his parents to change his birthday, they had refused, and he was calling me to tell me I was doing the right thing.
Kinda cool, huh?
I only wish he would have left a phone number or email so I could thank him...
Jeff
Love this story, Jeff - completely gave me chills! Thanks for sharing it with us!
I don't know if you remember Lynn but how I came to be a forum member was through one of your tweets a year ago ... about the condition your grandmother had in common with my mother now ... A year on and my mum is doing remarkably, she has become more childlike, relaxed, laughing much more than when she had the responsibility of raising two children single-handedly ... Her eyes positively sparkle at the prospect of a bit of banter.
I'm enjoying this time with her, she lives 150-yds away. And she's been a remarkable person in her own right fighting through a childhood of hospitalization from the age of 2 until 14, came home a stranger to her large sibling household. But she just got on with it ... I didn't know my grandparents ...
But I love learning about mine and other people's family histories ... both intriguing and informative in how the past informs the present ... Thanks for your post ... a lovely reminder of what its really all about 🙂 ...
Thanks for sharing. Since both sets of my grand parents lived in another state and we saw them infrequently there passing didn't seem to be much of a personal loss. It was a different story when my mother passed away at age 94(over 5 years ago this past June), one minute she's fine and the next minute she's in a rest home on a liquid diet where three weeks later she drew her last breath.
Your memories are moving and very present. As she inspired you, you inspire me. You are able to share who you are in cyberspace, which is a gift. Thank you.
That's a beautiful testimony to your Grandmother. I remember how fond you were of her and now even so, her memory. You seem to be following in her footsteps, which I'm sure she's very proud of.
I couldn't help but think of my grandmothers who are now passed away. Both of them very vibrant, energetic, loving and compassionate women - only when it came to the grand-kids of course 😉 Thanks for sharing and reminding us the things that are most precious.
Lynn,
Thank you for sharing a very personal story with us. These are the things that make you a unique and caring indiviudal not only for yourself and your family but all the people you come into contact with in your daily life and business dealings. I wish you continued happines and great job now and in the future.
Hi Lynn,
Your post was beautiful. It brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories of your grandmother.
What type of business did your grandmother do from her home?
One of my grandmothers made clothes for people and sold chicken eggs and the other grandmother taught sewing classes in her home. I learned a lot from both of them and was very blessed to have had them.
Dear Lynn,
I have been reading your tribute to your Grandmother on the anniversary of her passing, as well as the first post you wrote about your Grandmother. It's taken me a while because it's hard to read through the tears. I'm so sorry for your loss and know that our beautiful mothers and grandmothers are never far from our heart.
My Mom has been gone now for 3 years and there isn't a day in my life that I don't miss her terribly. She was a remarkable woman, just like your Grandmother. Of course, now I can laugh just as hard as I cry when I think of some of the things my Mom did or said.
I loved seeing how your view of your Grandmother's life and even your place in the world changed from the first post to this tribute. It seems as if you suffered so watching her failing body in the first post, even though you could hang on to her strength just as she did, and that you saw the strength in your dad, too. In this tribute, it seems as if you find yourself being solidly rooted in your Grandmother's love, her history, and her strength.
I just really love to think that your Grandmother is still with you, guiding you through these new challenges of yours, giving you new strength, and helping you stay "rooted." I believe that she is still letting you know that what you did for her, and for yourself, by simply spending time together, is a priceless treasure.
Thank you for sharing this tribute to your Grandmother. I'm glad Nicole called me to let me know about it and that I got to honor your Grandmother just a little by reading about her remarkable life. I'm also glad you got to be such a big part of her life, and her passing, and I am honored to be able to share in your remembrance today.
God's peace.
Sincerely,
Patti Winker
Lynn that is a lovely, sensitive post. Thank you for sharing.
...when the last painful signs of aging were "in your face", you focused instead on the current of love you felt tremble through each other's hand and saw shine through each others' eyes.
Bless you and her, for she is indeed proud-- quietly proud of you and overjoyed to see her granddaughter grow into her teens.
Peace,
Scott (SwamiScotty on twitter)
Your grandmother was so beautiful and strong, Lynn - reminds me of you. I love to hear you talk about her - it always warms my heart and makes me happy and sad and all sorts of emotions all rolled up into one. Your relationship with her reminds me of mine with my grandma and it just gets the emotion flowing.
That's so cool that she was such an inspiration to you in your business. I, too, would love to hear more about her business.
Thanks for sharing her so openly with us. The intricate connections go beyond your family, even, when you share with all of us. We're touched by your story with her, and we think of our own, and it all ebbs and flows, back and forth and winds up in this beautiful circle of connections and love.
Hi Lynn,
I enjoyed your blog very much, thanks for sharing!
I promised my late Dad to look after my Mum, however not that she needs looking after, she had a more active social life than me! And I am glad to be there for her, lucky for me, she is one my best friends!
best
Victoria
What a beautiful, moving tribute to your Grandmother! It is so very obvious what an inspiration she was to you - just as you are such an inspiration to us!
Barbara
So beautiful Lynn! I know how much love you have for grandma, she was a very special lady. I was so close to my grandmother too and it was nice to remember all the good times as I was reading your post. Glad to hear the meeting with the planner went well.
Oh and your grandmother would be so proud of you for all that you do to help so many people. She's always watching!
Lynn, I'm deeply moved by you. Deeply moved by this post and inspired by your Grandmother. She sounds like she was one heck of a gal to know. She reminds me of my own Granny who passed away 7 years ago. Hugs to you...
Nell
Lynn, what a beautiful and heartfelt story . Thank you so much for posting and sharing this story. My grandmother raised me and has been my rock my whole life. This makes me stop the busy days that get away from me and remember what is important. Thanks so much.....
Lynn, your grandmother created a wonderful legacy of love; a quality lady all the way who made sure she became the very best she could be. I'm sure she was thrilled and proud to see you carry that legacy on so successfully and sensitively.
Reading your linked post, and having gone through similar situations myself with my dad and grandma, I know it must have been hard at the end - but what a wonderful time you shared with this very special lady.
I have my own grandmother's battered, beat-up nut grinder, and it is my most precious physical possession.
Wow Lynn!
That is the most beautiful blog post I have ever read.
You are a very, very lucky person to be blessed with such a connection to your grandmother.
Thank you so much for sharing the details which have now inspired to create and nurture such supportive relationships in my own life.
Interesting that I found your post when I am reading Keith Ferrazzi's book "Who's Got Your Back".
Thank you!!!
Lynn,
This was beautiful, touching and SO real! What a fitting tribute to love, to your grandmother and to you. You are brilliant and I now get a sense of the rich soil and steady toil from which you arise.
Life is blessed to have you among us. Thank you, Lynn.
Adela
Lynn...deeply moved and inspired by your beautiful message... No words can express! Heartfelt Thank YOU! Hugs.
Loved your sharing such a poignant story about your Grandma. My Grandma passed almost 10 years ago and the loss is still felt. She was such a large part of my life, providing support as my children grew. She was there for me, and in turn, I was there for her when she no longer could drive.
Funny coincidence too that I just wrote a post about Memories being the "accessory" that matters just yesterday. My sister just opened up her adorable antiques store in St. Cloud, Florida this Saturday. I had so much fun building out her website. Since I'm in Ohio, it was the only way I felt I contribute to making a dream come true.
Anyway, continued thanks for being so open and providing tremendous value to your community.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for taking the time to write this. You area star!
Best Wishes
Denise
Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us. What a beautiful and heartfelt remembrance. We are really blessed to have you share your thoughts and impressions with us and to let us get to know you and your grandmother better. I'm smiling and tearing up at the same time, for even though we can never recapture those precious days spent with our loved ones you have kept the spirit of our times together vivid and alive. For sure your grandmother is so very proud of you. Thank you so much and bless you. Regina
What a beautiful reflection of memories with Grandma. She was blessed having a granddaughter like you. It was win-win relationship and she left you fond memories to cherish.
Thanks for sharing.
Many hugs to you,
Carol
You always know how to share messages that matter. So I hope you won't mind if I add a comment. As a baby boomer, I hope others are realizing how significant a grand parent can be in a youngster's life. That love, attention and inspiration can make all of the difference in creating wonderful human beings. I mention this now because it seems we need many more beautiful examples like your grandmother in world that seems to be spiraling out of control. Especially at a time when older people do not seem to be appreciated. Thanks for sharing your grandmother's story.
Dear Lynn,
your tribute to your grandmother touched my deepest levels of existance. You are so blessed to have had such a precious moments shared with her. I know, because I came to the USA 11 years ago from Bulgaria and I could not go to my mom's Funereal. I was not there for her. However, I know that we never separate from our loved ones. Here is a little writing which I was inspired to put on paper.
Adventure
I had a dream. It was as if some voice inside me was asking questions. While those questions were coming, I had running images in my mind, as if I was watching a waterfall.
I saw beautiful mountains with a very smooth breeze shivering through the green trees. I heard a soft and quieting song, as if performed by a choir. Different voices, singing to me about the beauty of the place I was going to visit. I realized that all of the birds and the flowers were singing to me. And the question was: “Do you want to have an adventure and just go? There is only one rule: you must forget where you are coming from. The only thing you have to do there is to remember.”
I saw a powerful ocean. Sparkling steel gray waves were running across the water with tremendous power. I was very intrigued. I kept watching them. Suddenly, I realized that the waves were still. Nothing was moving. Just the water was breathing. In and out, in and out … I felt at peace. And the question was: “Do you want to go there? It would be a great adventure! Trust me. You must forget, but then, you can always remember”.
I saw animals. All different! There were monkeys, fish, bears, dogs, dolphins and birds. And more, and more … I even saw many people like me. They were all different yet the same. I saw a mighty eagle speeding through the blue sky. I felt as if he and the sky existed together. Yes, the sky! And again the same question: “Do you want to go there? Do you?”
I woke up! I felt very happy for no reason. I looked through the window to greet the day. I heard the birds singing to me. I saw the sky blue smiling at me. I touched the flowers, blossoming for me. And all of a sudden, it struck me. I am in the middle of having the adventure! I remembered! I smiled and thanked God in me. I was blessed.
Margarita Slavkova
08/21/2009 Deland
That's beautiful Lynn. Thank you.
Carlos (from ClickNews forum)
Hi Lynn,
I just read your blog and then read everyone's replies...Through tears myself.
I never really knew my grandparents, all died before I was 6. But I now have 2 grandsons 13 and 14 and they are the most important thing in my life along with my only daughter. I always remind them how important it is to remember. We play the "remember game" where we sit at dinner and remember all the funny stories about their lives from when they first got here. I want them to tell their children those stories too, so they will remember me.
Thanks Lynn for sharing.
Your tribute to your late grandmother is both spiritually uplifting and inspiring.
Hi Lynn,
That is an awesome post and tribute to your grandmother. I too had close contact with both my grandmothers. My best memory of my mom's mom is the tea cookies she made and her soft fried potatoes. I have not tasted tea cookies like hers since her passing away. My dad's mom, it was coffee everyday at 3:00 pm. On Sunday's it was family day and coffee at 3pm.
Great memories.
Thanks again for you sharing yours.
Lynn, thanks for sharing this tribute with us. My grandmother lived until she was 92 and I still have that worn out china tea cup that she used to drink tea with us in up on my shelf above my office desk. What an inspiration she was to hard work indeed.
What a beautiful and loving tribute to your grandmother Lynn. I too shared a very special relationship with my grandmother who was a business woman when there weren't many women in business. She inspired me as your grandmother has inspired you. We are so lucky to have experienced such unconditional love in our lives.
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story.
Leigha
what a pleasant read.. thanks for sharing this small piece of your life to us.. it's such a sweet gesture to pay tribute to someone dear to you by doing something in their memory, by taking after their example..
Beautiful!!