My Grandma almost made the Smuckers jar

My grandmothers, both of whom I have lost in the last four years, will stand as two of the most inspirational people that I will ever come across in my life.   I had a strong bond with each, including my Grandmother Gertrude, who we lost on June 16th.

From a young age there was an element of persuasion in her life, which led her to join the convent.  This decision caused her to miss a large amount of her young adulthood, which I think was a source of regret for her.  She soon decided to leave nunhood and start her adult life later than most.  Grandma was in her mid-40’s by the time she had my father.  The fact that she successfully gave birth at such a late age is a microcosm of the ‘against all odds’ lifestyle she lived.  There was no stopping her.

Grandma Gert was also the most religious person I’ve ever known.  She had a serious connection with God that was as strong a bond as one could have.  Amazingly, she started to lose faith in her religion over the last few years.

For most people, a belief in God would grow stronger during their final days.  She would say to me,  “isn’t it ironic that as I come closer to death I’ve grown further away from God.”  This is what, to me, validates her faith as pure.

There were a number of elements that led her faith to stray, including her disappointment in the scandals of the Catholic Church and the insane events her life paid witness to over the last 98 years.  Even still, in her final moments, there was a rosary draped around her left wrist, exactly as she would have wanted it.

I think that for most people, religion is cyclical.  There are times when people rely heavily on religion, and there are other times when it can go by the wayside.  Although I have not been as religious in recent years, the faith I still hold is based in a lot of ways on the faith my Grandmother had.  

Grandma Gert was motivated her entire life, from her time as a nun, to her stay in the marines, and her long career as a teacher.  She touched people deeply along the way, which is evident from the visits, notes and calls she received in her last few weeks.  

She never stopped fighting, even in her last moments.  That fight is something instilled in me, and as I watched her go over these last two weeks, all I wanted to tell her was that she would be a source of inspiration and motivation for the rest of my life.  I will strive to make her proud in what I hope to be my 98 years on earth.