Norma

Grandma Norma, Pat's mother, passed away on Tuesday the 5th in her own home and in her own way--with peace, calm and dignity.  As we stood at the funeral home on Sunday evening for her viewing, observing her photos, her family and her memories, a thought came to me that I had never processed before.  Though I knew her the least and had the least amount of time with her, the one thing I know is this:  Grandma Norma is Minnesota.  All of the things I've found endearing, comforting, or "the norm" in this state can be rooted back to this wise and fantastic woman.  She is sewing, quilting and mending.  She is a funny memory repeated at gatherings of family.  She is a garden and a safe log home. She is a Bible verse. She is the perfect anecdote.  She is welcoming.  She is baked treats and a cup of tea.  She is Big Rick's biggest supporter.  She is my husband's childhood memories.  She is feeding a baby calf in the house.  She is a homemade quilt for our cabins.  She is humble, yet proud of her existence.  She is an extensive vocabulary.  She is Pat's Sunday evening supper and Chuck's nightly phone call.  She is Church on Christmas Eve.  She is the perfect quote.  She is aware of her eternity's destination and welcoming it with no fear.  She is a funny memory from George's teen years and a roommate and companion in Shirley's adulthood.  She is the farm.  She is missed.  She is loved.  She is everyone's image of a grandmother.  She is an honest life with the result of a close-knit family.  She is the one to model.  She is small town USA.  She is passing on with peace and security.  She is extraordinary.  She is farewell for now.  And she is home.