by elizabeth e.
Member since:
January 6, 2006

Gram ~100 Word Stories ~ Week 4 ~ Challenge

March 05, 2008 06:07 PM EST
views: 31 | comments: 67
"There was music, the kind that never went away: the Stones and the Doors, Janis Joplin, very early Pink Floyd. It was one of those evenings."

"Hey, what about this one for the service?  Sounds like Gram…listen, "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose," Gram, would have loved it."

"That's perfect!"

"Can you imagine her at Woodstock?  God, she was eccentric… she never left the 60's."

Yeah, she was a product of her generation…and now she's gone.  No funeral, just a memorial service. What did she say…"Burn, baby, burn…it's only a body, my spirit will be free."


Word count:  100
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Comments: 67

Lisa J Mar 5, 2008, 6:10pm EST
Beautiful, Bob. "My spirit will be free." When K's sister died, he asked me to sing at the funeral. The one I got through without crying was the new Amazing Grace. It has a chorus that goes, "My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God my Savior's ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy rains, unending love, amazing grace." It was hard not to cry as I imagined her soul, free from pain, free from death, and rejoicing in the life beyond.
Apryl Just Apryl Mar 5, 2008, 6:12pm EST
Bob, I loved this! A great tribute to your Grandmother and an excellent use of 100 words.
Kathryn E. Mar 5, 2008, 6:18pm EST
This is lovely Bobbie.
elizabeth e. Mar 5, 2008, 6:19pm EST
Thanks Lisa...I think Memorial Services should celebrate the life of the person...just a grand celebration...no mourning.
Kate Keeley Mar 5, 2008, 6:20pm EST
Gram sounds great. This is a wonderful story about loving and letting go.
elizabeth e. Mar 5, 2008, 6:22pm EST
Apryl...this conversation takes place between two granddaughters (fictitious, since I have no grandchildren) at MY death! My grandmother didn't go to Woodstock, silly!
Amy D. Mar 5, 2008, 6:24pm EST
I think I would prefer my service to be the same. Good music, laughs and a toast. Loved your song choices.
elizabeth e. Mar 5, 2008, 6:24pm EST
Thanks Kathryn!

Yes, Kate, I am "great" or at least someday when I have grandchildren they will know their real grandmother and think she was great, though a bit eccentric!
Curt L. Mar 5, 2008, 6:29pm EST
Love it! Thank you so much! Sending a 10 your way!
Jim Ross Mar 5, 2008, 6:29pm EST
Good one, Elizabeth. The character of Gram, expressed through her kin, is great! I loved the dialogue.
William Dotani Mar 5, 2008, 6:30pm EST
Your story perfectly captures the moment and a nice memory of a passed away friend.
Bob, just spread your wings and keep flying high and free .... and people will say of you that: 'She was and still is an eagle.' Now pass me the joint.
Kathryn E. Mar 5, 2008, 7:12pm EST
Oh and you are Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Ann R. Mar 5, 2008, 7:23pm EST
Sounds perfect to me...10'ing you.
Apryl Just Apryl Mar 5, 2008, 7:29pm EST
Sorry, I was so caught up in the story and you look so young!
Bridget M. Mar 5, 2008, 9:18pm EST
Wonderful, when are those grandbabies to arrive????
you have done so much in your life, I can only imagine your next adventure as a Gram.
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Mar 5, 2008, 10:07pm EST
Very interesting, Bob! Have you really picked those out for your memorial service? And those kids sound more than a bit condescending! I hope that when the time comes (and may it be a long time yet to come!) they're a little kinder than that!

BTW, believe it or not I have three pieces picked out for mine, and so noted in my pre-will: Lisa Gerrard's "Sanvean: You Are My Shadow"; the Kyrie from David Fanshawe's "African Sanctus"; and the 6th movement from Brahms' German Requiem. "Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt". If anybody falls asleep I'll be there to haunt them!
Tanya P. Mar 5, 2008, 10:16pm EST
I like it, especially your ending line! It tells so much in so few words.
Amanda C. Mar 5, 2008, 10:33pm EST
Great! I had trouble with this one. Yours was wonderful!
Elsie Duggan Mar 6, 2008, 12:29am EST
This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother, Elizabeth, and a wonderful take on the challenge.
Sheila Deeth Mar 6, 2008, 12:43am EST
This one's beautiful! Tells so much in just a single scene. Neat.
Madame 'X' Mar 6, 2008, 1:10am EST
This is really creative and interesting - - - A great read !!!
Parul S. Mar 6, 2008, 3:11am EST
very very nice and touching and do agree with you, a memorial service should celebrate the life that person lived and touched so many.....well done.
penni d. Mar 6, 2008, 9:48am EST
"it's only a body, my spirit will be free''.........how true...
Kay M. Mar 6, 2008, 11:35am EST
Great drabble
Mary (diet dr pepper junkie) T. Mar 6, 2008, 11:40am EST
very nice drabble... I played Elvis for my mom.
Faith H. Mar 6, 2008, 12:16pm EST
Excellent, Bob! I think my kids might play "Ding, Dong, the witch is dead"!!!
(just kidding, they love me)....
sheila h. Mar 6, 2008, 1:07pm EST
she was a rocker..a free spirit ,that Gram..
great short..
Jimmie (Hey! Let's Gather!) Harris Mar 6, 2008, 2:18pm EST
Some people do get stuck in an era... it is what defines them. This is believeable, but sad also. Well done.
Mary Z. Mar 6, 2008, 2:18pm EST
Marvelous entry, Elizabeth. I can relate to Gram. Well done!
Will Evans Mar 6, 2008, 3:22pm EST
this is the kind of conversation we have been having almost every morning on the way to the train station since I moved out of the Cambridge loft, living in the no-man's land between past and future, before I leave Massachusetts for Washington DC. She always threatens that she is going to record our random talks on the way to the train station.
Danielle P. Mar 6, 2008, 4:05pm EST
What a great tribute. It sums up the essence of Gram.
Will Evans Mar 6, 2008, 4:41pm EST
Please - just like Monty Python - she would be saying "I'm not dead yet!"
Will Evans Mar 6, 2008, 4:42pm EST
Let's at least wait until the old bag gives up the ghost and delivers a decent death rattle before we start eulogizing.
Alison Pearce Mar 6, 2008, 6:18pm EST
Marvellous drabble!
Barbra L. Mar 6, 2008, 7:09pm EST
A very different take on the prompt!
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:30pm EST
Thanks Barbara, for several days I mulled the prompt in my brain and one day on the way to the train station with my son Will (he's the guy up above) I was talking about how I would like to "go out". Can't stand wakes and crying funerals....why not celebrate the person...their life here on earth...and send them off to eternity with a big party....storytellin' and music...no tears please.
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:31pm EST
Thanks Alison. I bow to you.
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:35pm EST
Will, I am NOT an old bag! And there will be NO death rattle. I intend to go out singing...so there! But please check carefully with a mirror before calling it a day for me.

You have my instructions...you and Zach both know what to do.....scatter some at Flye Point and the rest off the cliff in Aardmore, Ireland. I think someone is waiting for me there!
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:36pm EST
Hopefully, if Will or Zach will finally get busy and produce some grandbabies, this scene just might take place!
Marge H. Mar 6, 2008, 8:46pm EST
This drabble struck a personal chord with me. This sounds like the memorial for my mom. She was cremated just like Gram.

It's how I'd like to be celebrated too. Lovely choice for your drabble.
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:46pm EST
Amy W.....that's what I want...a big celebration!

Thanks Curt for stopping by.

Thanks Jim, As yet I don't have grandchildren...but should I do I can just imagine some of the thoughts they might have about me!
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:57pm EST
Marge, I come from a large Irish family...my Dad had twelve brothers and sisters and for the most part they lived in little Irish enclaves in Dorchester, Charlestown and South Boston. When I was little I went to many Irish wakes where beer was flowing most freely and everyone was singing. At my grandmother's funeral I can remember singing her favorite songs..."Poison Ivy", "When Irish Eyes are Smilin'" and the the silliest dittie that had a line like this "Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today!" We must of sang that song at least 10 times...it was one Nana sang!! Whether or not there is really a song with that line I don't really know!
elizabeth e. Mar 6, 2008, 8:58pm EST
Do you think I need practice, Phyllis? You don't think it will come naturally?
Ruthe M. Mar 6, 2008, 9:26pm EST
This was so beautiful! This reminded me of my Gram. She was such a free spirit!

Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
Beryl Singleton Bissell Mar 6, 2008, 11:15pm EST
Now that's a Gram to celebrate! What a lovely succinct piece Elizabeth!
Wanda H. Mar 6, 2008, 11:45pm EST
Sounds like Gram is like me. I have my service all written out. No body, no tears, just music, laughter, fun and good food. Jazz trio playing When the Saints, White Snake, Here I Go Again. Those two for me, the rest, all the great rock and roll I love in my lifetime!

Great drabble. Amazing how few words, in the hands of true talent really take off. Our group has so many greats in it! I am learning, taking notes. :-)
Write Will out of the will, Bob! LOL
Lyn Owen Mar 7, 2008, 11:11am EST
Good one.
Amanda C. Mar 7, 2008, 11:52am EST
A I said before, great job!
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Mar 7, 2008, 3:35pm EST
loved your choices and after reading your lovely drabble and then comments, I feel more good..

Wonderful...
Anita R. Mar 7, 2008, 5:47pm EST
Nice tribute, great drabble.
June B. Mar 7, 2008, 8:41pm EST
I was touched by this. Good job.
Beth H. Mar 7, 2008, 10:50pm EST
An excellent take on the drabble challenge. I like the idea that the girls know their gram so well.
Tara T. Mar 8, 2008, 3:12am EST
Great story Elizabeth, a tale and woman as timeless as the music, wonderful!
Carolyn Madden Mar 8, 2008, 6:32am EST
I was getting a little teary there, then I read Faith's comment and starting cacking myself... then there was Will had to say. Lovely story Bob, now it's time to hit the cabbage patch for sure!
Gretchen Lee Bourquin Mar 8, 2008, 8:32am EST
Very unique grandmother-- nice take on the drabble
Marie L. Mar 11, 2008, 9:12am EDT
Just wonderful!!! My grandmother was very unique also -- and I miss her so much!
Wilma M. Mar 11, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
Great drabble, Bob, and I enjoyed all the comments too.

(I think Phyllis was just trying to get some free baby sitting out of you.)

You will be an awesome grandmother so tell those sons of yours to help you out a little!
elizabeth e. Mar 11, 2008, 6:09pm EDT
Wilma, I keep tellin' those boys to get busy...but they don't listen to me! Lol

Thanks Marie...Someday I really hope my grandchildren will look on me as "a unique if eccentric grandmother".

Thanks Gretchen!
elizabeth e. Mar 11, 2008, 6:09pm EDT
Carolyn...the cabbage patch for sure!
Lucky Stars Mar 12, 2008, 10:48am EDT
Nice one, Bob.
My grandchildern do think of me as crazy wild fun Ghee-ghee. I make sure they do. :-)
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Sep 17, 2008, 6:50pm EDT
Cool drabble, Elizabeth.

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