Thursday, December 2, 2010

In Loving Memory: Edith M. Grant



Much of what we are, who we become, is due to our parents.

My brother, sisters, and I were blessed with great parents who raised six healthy, happy, productive children – despite, in my case, my parents not having great material to work with.

In memory of Edith, today I would like to share some of the qualities that defined my mother.

Creative

You may not know that Edie had a creative streak that was most certainly the source of my creative side and is also passed to my children and many of her grandchildren. If Mum had not chosen to devote nearly all her efforts to building the family, I could have easily seen her as an author or artist.

Family

But for Edie, it was all about Family. When we were young – six kids, often ready to kill each other – I remember her saying “Someday, your brothers and sisters will be your best friends. Other good friends will come and go but your siblings will be friends forever.”

At the time, it sounded mad; but she was right. Today all six children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren enjoy wonderful relationships and regular family gatherings. Mum fostered in each of us that strong sense of family that is foundational in all our lives.

Selfless

My mother was unselfish – almost to a fault; I can never remember a time she put her needs or wants first. She always wanted to help her children, her husband, and her friends. She was a very trusting, generous person and sometimes people took advantage – which hurt her deeply. But it never changed her cheerful, optimistic view of the world.

Strength

To me, my mother’s most defining characteristic was her strength.

Edie had determination, as you would expect of someone who successfully raised six children, and one husband.


My father told me that it was Mum’s idea for him to go back to college and earn a degree – he was making a good living at Yellow Cab in Pittsburgh, two children, more coming every year or so. She was determined to do the best they could do for their growing family; good enough was not acceptable, it had to be the best they could do.

Of course, sometimes that determination was exhibited in other ways. Like when we were young, it was not terribly unusual to go to bed with a room colored beige and wake up with it being freshly painted green – always green.

This inner strength, this determination, was passed through to the children, including me. Edie would coach us: “You can achieve anything you want to achieve”, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not capable”, even the somewhat biased “You are better than anybody else.” More than just words, Mum made you believe. She made you believe in yourself. There is no greater gift you can give to your children.

In addition to Mum’s inner strength. She was physically strong. If not for Alzheimer’s, I am certain my mother would have lived well past ninety years.

When Mum entered hospice, the attending physician came in to take a medical history on Mum. All the kids, Dad, and Mum were packed into the little hospice room, just like our family room in Liverpool 40 years ago. As the doctor clicked through all possible medical conditions, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, etc., the answer was always the same, no, no, no. The doctor completed his history and stated, “Well, with the exception of Alzheimer’s, I guess your mother is a perfectly healthy.” Yep.

Nevertheless, the unfortunate medical prognosis was that Mum would only be with us a few more days – seven at most, but it could be anytime. However the doctors did not know of Edie’s strength, and as Mum’s determination carried us well into the second week, the doctor’s stopped trying to predict and just said, “It is up to Edie, she is in charge.”

Two weeks ago, all the children and Dad were lucky enough to be with Mum on the last day she was awake and alert. The amount of joy I felt when she smiled brightly in response to my “Hi Mummy!” is indescribable.

Last week, my father asked the doctor if there was any chance Mum might open her eyes one more time. I happened to be with Jean and Dad via Skype as the doctor explained why that it was no longer medically possible. The disappointment in their faces as the reality of the doctor’s words sank in was heartbreaking.

Yet the following day, Thanksgiving Day, Dad went to Mum’s side, took her hand and said “Hi Edie”, as he often did. My mother opened her eyes and looked at Dad; then her eyes fluttered closed. It was the last thing she did.

I don’t know how it was possible for Mum to connect with Dad one last time in this way; maybe it was the sound of my father’s voice, her husband for 56 years, that gave Mum the strength to say “goodbye”.

Edith's Tribute Fund at Alz.org
Mum's Photo Carousel

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Désalpe 2009, St-Cergue

Every autumn in Switzerland, farmers bring their cows down from the mountains to winter in cozy barns. This event is celebrated in St. Cergue and other villages with local festivals featuring food, wine, traditional music, children's games, and of course, decorated cows and cow bells.

Visiting St. Cergue for Désalpe weekend has become somewhat of a tradition for us, if you can call two years in a row a tradition. We met our friends the Gibsons in St. Cergue and had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect -- a "bluebird" day, as they say.

Max, Daniel, and I went for a hike up the mountain, following a ski trail up and a hiking trail back down to the village. The views of the Jura are beautiful as you can see in the pictures and it feels great hiking in the mountain at this time of year (or any time of year).











Monday, May 4, 2009

Trockener Steg 2,929 Meters

One last day of skiing for me at Zermatt today. Snow was beautiful, in fact it kept snowing as I was skiing. Most the day was mixed sun, clouds, and snow. Went to the top, Matterhorn glacier paradise (3,883 m -- the highest point in Europe accessible by cable car) but the runs and conditions were better between Trockener Steg (2,929) and Furggsattel (3,365 m) so I kept taking that chair. Our season started on December 7 in Sainte-Croix and ended on May 4 in Zermatt - five months later. Of course you can continue to ski at Zermatt all summer long, albeit on a very reduced area. Maybe if I get the itch in July...

I posted a video below of the cable car ride to Matterhorn glacier paradise from YouTube (not taken by me) to give you a sense of the ride up.

Tom getting his last licks in at Zermatt.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

2009 World Ice Hockey Championships

Attended the 2009 World Ice Hockey Championships held in Bern and Zurich Switzerland. We saw two games on consecutive weekends: USA vs. Latvia on April 25 in the preliminary round and USA vs. Russia on May 2 in the qualification round. Both were very exciting contests with USA beating Latvia 4-2 and Russia beating USA 4-1. USA eventually played Russia again in the semi-final round, losing 3-2. Russia continued on to beat Canada in the finals 2-1.

Photo from Getty Images. BERNE, SWITZERLAND - MAY 02: Denis Grebeshkov (L) of Russia fights for the puck with Lee Stempniak (R) of USA during the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship qualification round match between Russia and USA at the Post Finance Arena on May 2, 2009 in Berne, Switzerland.

Rooting with the Latvia fans.

Enjoying the action. Front row, L-R: Barrie, Edward, Francis, Marguerite, Ali; Back row: Jackie, Daniel, Max, Theo (out of picture).

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Aunt Jean and Uncle Bob visit Nyon.

We love visitors and had a great time with Aunt Jean and Uncle Bob when they visited us in Nyon in early April. Jean had work in London, so combined that trip with a few extra days "en Suisse". We're glad she did. During the short visit we showed Jean and Bob around the area visiting Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, and of course, Nyon.

At the Nyon train station. Front, L-R: Daniel, Ali; Middle: Jackie, Jean, Bob; Back: Max; Missing: the photographer.

Jackie and Jean in Ouchy.

Bob in front of a scenic building in Vevey.

Beautiful scene overlooking lac Leman in Vevey.

Max and Ali in Ouchy, the lakefront side of Lausanne.

Sunset in Vevey over lac Leman.

Jean and Bob in Montreux.

The flowers are in full bloom in Montreux.

Jean imitating Freddy Mercury of Queen in Montreux.

We visited the Olympic Museum in Lausanne where Bob delivers a gold-medal smooch.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Top of the World, Ma...

Since we were unable to make our annual trip to Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks, we spent a few days at Zermatt, Switzerland. It is about 2.5 hours from our home and is known for the famous peak "the Matterhorn", which you will see in a lot of these pictures. It is not the highest peak in Europe, but it is the most dramatic. In Zermatt, I believe you can see 10 of the 11 highest peaks in Europe. The highest we skied was at 3800 meters, and top to bottom it is about a 13 kilometer ski.




Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sensational Samoëns.

Was very fortunate to be invited by my neighbor to a ski weekend in Samoëns, France. The weather was perfect with tons of snow. And the area is one of the most secenic in the Alps; perfect for both winter and summer sports and hiking. Pictured here is my neighbor Barrie, on the left, his college buddies, and me on the right.

 

This Blog and all photographs are copyright © 2007, 2008, Thomas J. Grant. All rights reserved.