Two Sundays ago, on December 16th, my grandma, Muriel, turned 89 years old. Her husband of nearly 67 years, George, celebrated with her along with their three daughters and two sons-in-law at her nursing home. A few hours after everyone went home, Grandma got out of bed, fell and broke her hip. She was brought to the hospital that night, endured six days of complete agony, and then succumbed on Saturday, December 22nd. Grandpa was by her side through the whole thing. He watched as she suffered and suffered right alongside her. I should also add that he suffered with her over the last ten years or so, as Grandma struggled with increased memory loss and confusion. He cared for her until the very end. He was very sad when she died, but also very relieved.
This past Friday, December 28th, Grandpa turned 88. He went out to lunch to celebrate with two of his daughters, one son-in-law, and one of his seventeen great grandchildren: Miss Amelie Muriel. Yesterday, December 29th, we had a lovely memorial service for Grandma that really honored the two of them very nicely. Most participants, save for the priest and the organist, were family members. Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild was present. Also in attendance were several good friends of the family. Grandpa looked great. He was so pleased with the day, that EVERYONE was there, how nicely his beloved was honored. He went home, chauffeured by his eldest daughter. The two of them had a nice evening, complete with ordering in a pizza and some conversation. Eventually, he went to bed.
And that's where the story ends for Grandpa George. He never woke up.
We are all in shock. Reality hasn't set in for most of us. That the two of them would die just eight days apart was the farthest thing from our minds. They are such an example of love and devotion. For that they will always be admired.
Ethel Muriel Lof December 16, 1918-December 22, 2007Henning George Lof December 28, 1919-December 30, 2007
October 2006
Their legacy: 17 great grand children 
Great Grandma Muriel and Amelie Muriel August 2006
6 comments:
<3 Grandma and Grandpa Lof <3
Hear the words of the dancing God,
the music of whose laughter stirs the winds,
whose voice calls the seasons:
I who am the Lord of the Hunt and the Power of the Light,
sun among the clouds and the secret of the flame
I call upon your bodies to arise and come unto me.
For I am the flesh of the earth and all its beings.
Through me all things must die and with me are reborn.
Let my worship be in the body that sings,
for behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my rituals.
Let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness,
joy and peace, awe and longing within you.
For these too are part of the mysteries found within yourself,
within me, all beginnings have endings,
and all endings have beginnings.
ejm
Are you kidding me?!?!? This is an AMAZING story!!! How sad and beautiful at the same time. Were they believers? How wonderful that you were able to get that picture with Amelie and her namesake. I am so sorry for your loss.
So sad that you lost both your grandparents so quickly - but yet what a beautiful story of their life together and love for each other.
What a sad and yet beautiful story. If only we could all be so lucky as to die in our sleep and join our beloved in heaven only eight days apart! Thanks for sharing that!
Wow, Nancy... I can't even imagine how you're feeling right now. What a beautiful picture of the devotion and love your grandparents shared; how bittersweet to lose them both so quickly. Praying for you all and praising God for your Grandma and Grandma's marriage, and beautiful legacy.
I remember when you first posted this and it hasn't lost any of its beauty over the years. Thanks for making me smile again and hugs to you on missing some amazing people!
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