In Loving Memory...

My High School Graduation
(L2R: My Brother, Dad, Me, Mom, Brenna, Gram)

Today marks the end of the first year that my family has gone without the physical presence of my maternal grandmother, Charlene Dianna Ogurek. As of February 24th, 2010, we lost her to an extremely long and ongoing battle with cancer. As I said here on the date of her birth, she was a truly amazing and inspiring woman with great determination and respect for herself and others. The past year has been very difficult for my family and me, as we had to learn to go on without the most tender, loving, compassionate heart that we will probably ever know in our lifetimes.

Words could never do my Grandmother justice; she was a loving and caring daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who would do nearly anything she possibly could for those she loved. On the evening of my Grandmother's passing, her children decided it would be most appropriate for each of her seven grandchildren to say a few things about her on the day of her funeral. Although the impact she had on our lives could never even begin to be described, here is what I wrote about some of my fondest memories of my "Gram":

As I look back on the twenty precious years I was given with my grandmother, it truly warms my heart to know I had the pleasure of doing so many wonderful things, simply because she was a part of my life. I was given the glee of a small road trip every time we went to Grandma's for a visit. I had the fun of celebrating so many birthdays just by having lunch and picking out a new outfit with her. I was given someone to talk to for hours at a time while doing puzzles every time my parents were out of town.

I had daydreams of stories of the "Becker Brats" and Uncle Bob setting Aunt Betty on the sprinkler when she was all gussied up to go out. I spent summer days at her house planting in the gardens and cleaning up the yards. I spent April weekends in the dining room painting easter eggs with my brother and cousins. I spent afternoons interviewing her about WWII for many history papers over the years.

I spent hours helping my mom plan surprise parties for my gullible Gram, and many summer days traveling Europe and exploring with my two best friends. And I had the pleasure of witnessing the shear joy and amazement that swept across her face as she met and held her first great-grand-baby for the very first time.

Painting Easter Eggs at Gram's

My grandmother was an amazing woman who taught me so many things. She taught me how to knit and to sew. She taught me to "buck up" and be strong when things got tough. She taught me to always remember where I came from, and to love and cherish my family no matter their imperfections. She taught me to forgive, and that it was okay to trust again. She taught me to move forward, to aspire, accomplish, and persevere. She taught me to be gracious and accepting, and to have faith not only in God, but in myself.

My grandmother taught me to dream, and encouraged me to accomplish so many things in life. She didn't just preach to me about all of these things, she taught me through example, and by leading a life she was proud to own. She gave me the best friend anyone could ask for, and the greatest grandmother anyone could have.

The Becker Brats
(L2R: Marlene, Charlene (Gram), Betty, Judy Becker)

She was my only grandparent I ever really knew, and I am so grateful to have so many fond memories of her, and to know what a grandparent should really be. My grandmother had such an amazing impact on my life and on those of so many others, that there is not a soul on Earth who could ever describe her or the shear awesomeness of the things she accomplished in her lifetime and truly do her any justice. My only hope is that my daughter has the joy and happiness of creating as many wonderful memories with her "MiMi" as I did with my "Gram".

My grandmother absolutely adored my daughter. Every time we went to visit her at the rehabilitation center she was staying in when she became very ill, I would walk into the room with my Gracie and Gram's eyes would just light up. She always said aloud, "There's my sunshine!" Gracie always brightened Gram's day, and Gracie loved to sit next to Gram in her bed.

Gram passed away about a month before Gracie started walking, and about a month and a half before Gracie's first birthday. As I watched my baby girl take her first steps, I was ecstatic. But as I sent out a mass text message to let everyone know the news, I began to sob. I wanted so badly to dial my Gram's number and share my amazement with her. At Gracie's party, I found myself wanting to curl up and cry, and give anything for Gram just to be there celebrating with us. but in my heart I knew she wouldn't miss it for the world, and I knew she was there in some way experiencing all of this with us.

My Baby Shower
(L2R: My Husband, Me with baby, Gram, Mom)

A few weeks into the year, my mother and I had gone wedding dress shopping, and finally found one to purchase. That day, I went to visit Gram at the rehab center, and told her about the dress. She smiled at me and said, "You know I'm going to be there, Katie. I will be." I laughed and said to her, "You better be! Or you and I are gonna have some words."

Needless to say, planning nearly my entire wedding after my grandmother passed was extremely difficult for me with that memory fresh in my mind. I knew she would be watching over me that day, and would "be there" for every second, but I couldn't help but have quite a few moments on the day of my wedding where the tears just streamed down my face. I wore her bracelet, had a broach of hers on my bouquet with her picture in it, I carried her handkerchief, and had a bouquet of roses placed on a chair beside my grandfather at the wedding. As much as it hurt for her not to physically be there, I was grateful for the fact that she was no longer suffering. I miss Gram every day, and think about her even more. At times I can't help but stare at my daughter as she plays and think about how much she brightened Gram's days.

Me and Gram

About three days before Gram passed, and the day before she asked for the morphine, I sat beside her and held her hand trying my hardest to be strong and not weep at her bedside. Gracie began to get upset so my mom offered to take her for a stroll in the hallway. As I sat there and just stared into Gram's eyes she squeezed my had and smiled at me. I said to her, "I love you, Gram", and she smiled again and squeezed harder as she whispered, "I love you too." As a tear rolled down my cheek I realized I had nothing else I could say to her, that was all I felt and all I wanted her to know from me. Those were the last words Gram and I spoke.

In Loving Memory of Charlene Dianne Ogurek

January 25, 1935 - February 24, 2010

Song of the Day: Miley Cyrus' "The Climb"