Jan 28, 2008 - Inheritance

[Dracophile]

About a month ago my grandmother passed away, and the house that she and my grandfather lived in has gone vacant and the furniture and belongings were all given out and whatnot. My mother ended up getting a couple of nice rugs and a coffee table (that I have fond memories of) and some other things, I really didn't care to know all of what she got. I finally stopped by the vacant house for the first time since "that night", and I really couldn't stand to see the place the way it was. Empty. No tables, none of the familiar recliners my grandparents sat in, everything except some small boxes and stacks of things like magazines and clothes and stuff.

I went by to pick up what was given to me, an old Sega Genesis/Sega CD game console and a brown reclining chair, which was sitting in the middle of the back living room. It was kind of a weird sight, really. It was in the center of the room and everything else in boxes and whatnot were all along the walls. I can remember as far back as being seven years old sitting in that chair and watching Nickelodeon, and well, now it's my chair. That was the first thing I loaded up and put into my truck. I went back in to pickup the box with the Sega in it and passed by the phone, which had "1 Missed Call. 1 New Message". And this is what that message was:

One missed call. First missed call received January 20th at 2:19 PM.

Hi Shirley, this is Tootie. I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hi, but I guess you're not home or taking a nap right now. Call me back when you get this message, unless I try again later. Thanks, I love you, bye.

January 20th. Nobody told her, Tootie, one of my grandmother's best friends, "the news". She didn't know when she called and got the answering machine that her message would fall on deaf ears. She never got a chance to say goodbye. "Horrible" doesn't even begin to describe how I felt after hearing that message. There wasn't any furniture to sit down on so I just sat on the floor and leaning up against the wall and cried for seemed like an hour. As I sat there and stared out at the dining and living room it all started to sink in.

Much like in the movies when you see a "ghost" of someone watching his or her family going about business, all of my childhood memories just started playing out whenever I looked at where the dining room table or the couch used to be. Thanksgiving. Christmas. While I can't say the last Christmas I spent over there was a very nice one, at least I'm thankful for the 18 others that were better.

I don't think I will ever be able to use that nice recliner as much as I'd love to. I have the perfect place for it, but I know that every time I look at it or sit down in it that haunting telephone message is just going to start playing in my head.

[kogeck]

Thats so depressing. -_-
It's just so saddening that your grandmother's friend never said goodbye, and I remember clearing my grandmothers house and seeing her mail and postcards from friends. It must be pretty hard for you too. =[

[Poisenman101]

Wow...thank you for sharing that with us. That is pretty personal and I am sure it was gut wrenching to type that all out. I am sorry for your loss. I can only say think of all the GOOD memories. Do sit in your "new" chair; remember what it felt like to be a child; remember who helped you along the way as you grew up. Old saying something about.... the past is in the past, today is special and that's why it is called the "present." But take the best of the past with you and be happy as your grandmother would want you to be. :)

[007Honey]

You have me in tears now.
At least you have something of hers to remember the good times.

It's sad to know you were upset there like that but I guess it was what you needed to do.
Thx for sharing because sometimes it seems theres no one who talks about these things.
Big forum hugs!:)

[blahdu]

so did you finally break the news to tootie
or she still doesnt know


if only there was a crying emote

[Dracophile]

so did you finally break the news to tootie
or she still doesnt know


if only there was a crying emote

I pressed the "Mark as unheard" button before I left. -_-

[Robo]

That's so sad. Luckily none of my grandparents have passed away yet. My grandmother came really close to dieing of "Boob" (the other word is blocked) Cancer. I don't think I would be able to take any of the furniture from my deceased grandparent's house. Just looking at it would make me feel sad.

It's very sad your grandmother has passed away. It's even sadder her best friend doesn't even know. I'm real sorry for your loss.

[iDie]

You can smile they lived, or cry that they're gone.

[Oceanside344]

That sucks. I remember when my grandma died I couldn't get over it for at least 2 months. -_- I still don't like thinking about it.

What I find that helps is thinking of good times that you spent with her. Having good memories of lost loved ones might help you overcome it.

[Guardian Ou]

RFS, whenever my grandfather died, I felt a feeling similar to how you feel now. My grandfather had gained a mental disability whenever I was young, so I never actually heard him speak. He usually sat in a soft green chair all day, and my father and I would occasionally help him walk around.

At my grandfather's funeral, I burst into tears once I saw him in the casket. I thought back to all the wonderful times we shared, even though he didn't even know who I was. Every year on his birthday, or the date of his death, always hits me in the heart. I can never talk or eat on that day. My thoughts are all wrapped up inside thinking about what happened. I keep thinking to myself, "If only I could have helped more.. or have atleast done something to help him more back whenever he was alive." These memories continue to haunt me now and then, but I try not to think about it.

RFS, I really hope you feel better soon. This must be a very difficult time for you right now. -_-

[ArcboundMyr]

I have yet to experience this, as my great grandmother died in 2000 and therefore, my grandparents are all still around and in great health. I'm dreading the day they die... I feel really bad for you RFS, and I hope you can get over it soon.