This weekend is 3 glorious days for me as we observe our provincial holiday, Family Day. I’m looking forward to some extra sleep (fingers crossed), some extra baking and of course some extra time with the kids.
Yesterday, I woke up feeling kind of out of sorts. Like I was missing something or I was forgetting something. Just that little nagging feeling that you sometimes get when you draw a blank on something that you know is important.
It dawned on me at hockey and I texted my dad, What day did Mémé pass?
February 17th, he replied. Ahhh, I see. Today is Mémé day.
That’s the little tug on my heart I’ve been feeling all morning.
My Mémé (pronounced mem-ay), passed in 2008 on Family Day weekend and I had the honour of sitting with her as she took her last breath. She had a bad stroke which unfortunately left her unable to speak for her last few days. But I can still hear the sound of her guttural cry when my brother and I walked in the room to spend those last few hours with her.
It was such a profound experience for me, even though I’ve been with others when they’ve passed. How amazing to have that time with her to say goodbye. Sometimes sitting in silence, sometimes talking to her with laughter.
The entire time, holding that soft hand.
My brother and I were very close to our Mémé and she was a huge part of our lives growing up. Even as young adults, we regularly spent time with her, once showing up on prom night to take her for a surprise ride in our limo! She talked about that one for a long time after.
She was a 4 foot nothing, ball of complete love. There’s no other adjective to describe her.
We adored her and she adored us.
She had such a massive impact on my life. Not because of anything she gave me or taught me. Just because she loved me so very deeply. A love that makes me weep just saying her name today.
Eight years after her passing I found out that I was going to be a grandmother too. My daughter and I were out in the strawberry patch one afternoon and I was thinking about this little one who would soon be coming along. Another little tug on my heart about what my new role was going to be.
So I immediately texted my dad.
I think I want to be called Mémé, I said. So I can love this new little person just as she had loved me.
Gulp. I get choked up just thinking about it.
My daughter came down as I was writing this post and saw me wiping away tears as I sat at my laptop. Awww mom, isn’t it awesome how 16 years later we can still cry because we loved her so much?, she asked.
Yes, yes it is.
Have a great week friends,
Renee xo
Mémé loved jelly rolls. I remember sleeping over at her house and she would eat one with a tea before bed. She would even get up in the night and have one sometimes! So today I brought home a package and layered it up in a somewhat healthier trifle in a jar to enjoy with my tea. I could almost hear her giggling about it.
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