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May 11, 2007
Grace Pohlmann Lammert (1908-2007)
Photo of Aunt Grace with Alexander in June 2006
Last week, as Aunt Grace lay in her hospital bed, I had an opportunity to talk with her one last time -- to tell her I loved her. She told me she loved me too, and I choked back the tears because I knew I was losing someone very important in my life. I also knew that this was the opportunity to say good-bye that I never had with my own father. I felt as if Grace spoke for him too.
As the week went on, I imagined my dad, with that deep-dimpled grin of his, smiling down on his oldest sister. In my mind, I saw him motioning Grace to join him in a place where there was no pain, where they could enjoy the view and eternal peace. Now the eight brothers and sisters are together again. And we are left with our memories.
My first memory of Aunt Grace was when I was a child of seven or eight. Grace rescued me from my cousins who excluded me from whatever game they were playing. I hold no grudge Mary and Kathy, for you see, Aunt Grace took me into the kitchen and together we made chocolate chip cookies. And I got to lick the bowl!
My most recent memory is of my last visit to St. Charles less than a year ago. How lucid Grace was as she re-told tales of life in the city at Aunt Mame’s and on the farm in Millwood. I never tired of hearing the story of how she and Ralph would take my dad, just a toddler at the time, wherever they went. Hearing the details of her life, I realized that she held a moral strength that few ever know.
In years to come, I’ll remember Grace’s sweet nature, soft skin, and gentle voice. I’ll remember the special bond she shared with Alexander. Aunt Grace was like a grandma to him, the type of grandma who never got mad, even when he spilled lemonade all over the clean kitchen floor.
I am sure that other family members have different memories than I do. But to me, Aunt Grace demonstrated an elegance of manner and motion. She truly lived up to her name.
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Comments
E,
Thanks for sharing - cherishing our seniors is such an enriching endeavor that so few take advantage of while they are still here on earth.
M.
Posted by: Molly McCabe | May 12, 2007 8:54 AM
What a wonderful tribute to my Mom!!! She was truly a gem. She went back to work at the age of almost 50 so I could go to college. This was back in the late fifties/ early sixties when it was not fashionable for women to work outside the home.As we sang "Amazing Grace" at her memorial service it seem to be so appropriate as she was amazing. We as her children probably didn't realize her stature as much as the rest of the family looking at her as an individual. You really have a gift Betsi for writing and what a tribute to your marriage to Scott. I, too have a husband who makes me laugh. How lucky we are!!!
Love Yor cousin, Jo Anne
Posted by: JoAnne Lammert Ruether | November 14, 2007 9:48 AM
