Saying Good-Bye

We had to say good-bye to my sweet Nana today. There are no words to describe the sadness I have felt. My Nana was the kindest, most good hearted, loving, (and a little stubborn!) woman I have ever met. I am a better person for having her in my life.

Nothing has given me even greater love than to see the way Nana would light up to see my sweet Gracie. Nothing made Nana more proud than showing off her sweet Gracie and Maxum to the world! I am so thankful for the time we had together and even more thankful Gracie got to know this wonderful person.

November 2007

Our very first 4 Generation Picture

One of the hardest parts is now with Gracie. She asks “Where’s Nana?” and what do you tell a 2 year old? She doesn’t understand. What I’ve been left with is telling her the truth; that sweet Nana is in Heaven.

December 2007

I will spend my life telling Gracie what a wonderful Nana she had. How many little girls get to even meet their Great-Grandmother? What a special gift she’s been given. The biggest legacy she leaves is to be kind to others and to see the best in everyone. These were words my sweet Nana lived by and taught me as she taught me to pray.

October 2008- Gracie’s 1st B-Day

I will tell Gracie the countless stories of spending the weekends with Nana and Papaw. Trying on Nana’s sparkly shoes, getting all dressed up and using Nana’s purses, using Nana’s lipstick holder for my chap stick, all the nature walks we went on at the lake house, and the love for all the dolls. Nana loved having Gracie come over and look at the dolls….

December 2008- Seeing Santa

Saying goodbye is so hard but the memories we have will last a life time.

April 2009

 

The service today was really nice and it was very sweet to see all the wonderful people that loved our Nana. All the Grandchildren got up and spoke about Nana. I was very nervous, just because I didn’t want to sound like a blubbering idiot. But I think I did okay. This is what I said:

As a child I remember Nana packed me up in the car one day and told me we were going to deliver Meals on Wheels. “Meals on Wheels?” I was thinking, “What is that”? I remember going to an office type building and people loaded up Nana’s car with all these endless amounts of boxes.

With our boxes in tow, we drove around Dallas one at a time, and we climbed up apartment stairs to deliver a hot meal. To some, it was probably their only hot meal they would get all day. We did this until the last meal was delivered and our boxes were empty. I’ll never forget the words that Nana told me that day. She said, “You see, there are people in this world that are less fortunate than us. There are people that don’t get everything they ask for. We always need to do our part to help others.” And though it would not have been my first choice of something fun to do what a lasting impression it left on me.

I think about that day and think about what an amazing gift she gave me, as a young girl. She didn’t take me shopping (although we did do our fair share of shopping). She didn’t just let me watch TV all day and rot. No, not my Nana. She took me to see what was right outside my door and showed me how something so small could lift a heavy heart and get a smile. It was the little things like this that show what an extraordinary Nana we had. A Nana that went above and beyond. A Nana that taught me to love and be kind to others. I love you Nana.

Thanksgiving 2008

 

Here is her obituary that was in the paper:

  Gena Elizabeth Brothers    

Born in Caddo, Texas on December 29th, l923, and died November l6th 2009. She was preceded in death by her son, James Timothy Brothers. Gena is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, Bob E. Brothers. Her many volunteer activities included painting nails for the members of the CC Young Home, delivering Meals on Wheels for the Metrocrest Center, and playing the piano for the children of the Horace Allegras School. She taught kindergarten for many years at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where she was a 50 year charter member. Gena was the most devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was the center of her life, and she will be greatly missed. She is also survived by her children, Charles Brothers and wife Barbara, of Addison, Gail Hughes and husband Doug, of Plano, grandchildren Trenton Brothers, Kirk Hughes and wife Alison, Shannon Gauger and husband Kelly, Paula Mokry and husband Weston, and Elaine Brothers. Her great grandchildren, Maxum Hughes and Gracie Gauger brought her such joy. Our family would like to give special thanks to Jennifer Pitcock and Sandra Kennedy of Care ExtraOrdinaire for their devoted care of Gena and husband Bob for the last few months. Services will be held at l:00p.m., Thursday November l9th at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 12411 Templeton Trail in Farmers Branch, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.