Seven Drawers

My grandma passed away last week.  She was 98 and had lived a full life.  She turned 98 on March 5th and died on March 13th.

I kinda think she decided enough was enough on her birthday, that 98 was a good run.

And it was.

My grandma was not one for celebrations or "making a fuss", especially over herself.  She did not want a funeral and her children are honoring her wishes.  She was born in Turtle Lake, North Dakota in 1918.  She vividly remembered the Depression, and lived *extremely* frugally until the day she died.  When I was in school, I interviewed her regarding growing up during the Depression.  The tape is safely tucked away.  So safe that I'm not sure I remember where, but it will eventually turn up......

I got to say goodbye to her the night before she died, which I am very thankful for.  The next day I went to help my aunts clean out her room.  That is when this thought hit me.

Life comes down to seven drawers of stuff.

We spend all this time and money accumulating "stuff"- expensive stuff, meaningful stuff, pretty stuff, sentimental stuff, practical stuff, fun stuff.....

Stuff.

My grandma once had a house full of stuff.

Now she had seven drawers.

What is the point?

Relationships are what matters.

In the end, you can't take your stuff with you.  But the relationships you build can sustain you through the darkest times, the weary hours, and the last moments of life.

I will be honest, my grandma's forte really was not relationships.  However, even though she did not show love in a traditional sense, I watched my dad continue to visit her, care for her, love her, be there.  There was a room full of people there with her (which she probably would not have liked since she never wanted anyone to "make a fuss" over her).  I saw all of her children come together to plan, supporting each other.

That's all most any parent can ask for.