Bittersweet

These past few weeks have been very bittersweet for me. Bitter because my sweet Grandma Jones passed away and I miss her so. Sweet because she is finally free from pain and in a wonderful place with loved ones. I lived with she and my grandpa for much of my youth, and for that I feel so blessed. 

I wrote this poem for her and read it at her funeral last Monday. It sums of many of my memories of her in a simple way.

There are those in our lives that change us,And leave us better than what we were,
Ruth is one of those people,
We owe so much to her.

Daughter, sister, and mother,
Wife, aunt and so much more,
She gave us a love of learning,
She taught us to explore.


Ever determined, feisty, and strong,

Smart, capable, and kind,
A lifelong educator,
With a curious, sharp-witted mind.

For grandkids, nieces, and nephews,

Ruth was the go-to for knowledge,
Who was the 18^th president?
Where did Einstein go to college?

If anyone had a question,
About politics, history, art
Ruth always had the answer,
There’s no doubt that she is smart.


A walking encyclopedia,
A collector of knowledge and truth,
Better than Wikipedia,
We knew to go ask Ruth.


She earned a master’s degree,
And became a principal too,
There are so many children she taught,

Educating her whole life through.

She dearly loved to travel,
To England, Italy, and France,
Ruth journeyed to new places,
Whenever she got the chance.

She learned all about politics,
She kept up with the news,
Given a choice, the democrat,
We knew she’d always choose.

Ruth loved her family so,
It was always understood,
To see them happy brought her joy,
She gave them all she could.


She and her sweet sister Fern, did so much together,
They would laugh, share stories, and travel,
They’ll be best friends forever.


I’m sure they’re up there now,
Together as a reward,
Probably writing crossword puzzles,

For spirits when they get bored.

She’s also with other loved ones,
So dear to her in this life,
Sweet and loving Donald,
Is once again with his wife.

With Nana, Amy and others,
She’s once again united,
To be with their wonderful Ruthie,
No doubt they are excited.

We’ve had to say “goodbye,”
Until we meet again,
For we know without a doubt,
We’ll see our Ruth again.

We’ll miss her more than we can say,
Her face, her voice, her smile,
But we know she’d say, with a loving wave,
“I’ll see you in a while.”