My Grandma, Olive Mae Custer

Today at 8:27 a.m. my beloved Grandma, Olive Mae Custer died as a result of the injuries received in an auto accident on Tuesday.  Becky, Margaret and I laid our hands on Grandma as she transitioned from this life to the next.  It was a holy moment as she departed.  Our tears flowed freely marking her bed sheet with our unconditional love for this incredible woman.  Grandma’s passing was peaceful, overflowing with love, with happy memories and a knowing that her soul continues.

Only a short time ago Grandma told me she was ready to move on and was not afraid of death as she knew something greater awaited her.  I know she was eager to be reunited with her daughter Nancy and her grandson Michael Jr.  

As a child I so looked forward to spending weeks with her in the summer.  She spent so much time with me, giving me back rubs, fixing my favorite foods, letting me soak pretzel rods in my Barq’s root beer as we watched Ruth Lyons 50/50 Club.  Our afternoons would be spent teaching me to embroider, paying me a quarter to take a nap, or listening to Perry Como records or watching The Liberace show.  As I grew older and moved out of my parent’s home, I still spent at least one week a year with her.  And again I was like that small child so eager to be with my Grandma, to be wrapped in her unconditional love.

And in the past few years it was so joyous to pick her up in my little car and set off on adventures together.  She truly enjoyed getting out of the house and doing things.  My goal this summer was to whisk her away so she could see an ocean.  Unfortunately our time was cut short.

Grandma I already miss you.  I so wanted you to open your eyes today and say “Angela, when did you get here” in that voice I love so much.  I am so happy you are my Grandma.  I will miss sharing bread sticks with you at Clara’s Pizza, or sitting at Greenville Park eating a maid-rite or trying to decide which candy to buy at the Ben Franklin store.  I will miss your nails scratching my back for what seemed like hours at a time.  I will not miss those same nails scratching my scalp as you washed my hair.  I will miss your cards and letters.  I will miss taking walks to Smith’s Grocery store or the Bakery with you.  I will miss your doctored up kool-aid.  I will miss your noodles.  I will miss all those linens you embroidered for me.  I will miss your voice, your laugh and the way you viewed your world and all those funny expressions you spoke.  I will miss the smell of your house.  I will miss you shaking your finger at me for snapping yet another picture of you.  I will miss your pie crust and even though you gave me the recipe I still haven’t mastered it.  

I am truly the luckiest person in the world to have been loved by a woman like you.  Although I’m so sad and heartbroken at your passing today, I am also happy that you have moved on and have found peace.  And I also know that my Olive Mae will continue to be in my life, keeping me safe and I can only imagine what your angelic wings will look like.

I love you so much Grandma.