It took me by surprise, because she was such a spry woman, almost as if she was powered by a constant source of electricity. What an amazing woman! She was deeply devoted to her family and to tradition.

My first experience of Gram’s cooking was long before I met her, in May of 2005. Ross and I were away in Whistler and Ross had brought along some of her wonderful shrimp curry. WOW! It was fabulous, as was every thing I ever ate that she took the time to prepare.

Among the favorites were her butter tarts. Delicious! I would take a bite and then shake my head, and wonder, ‘How does she do it?’ She was the primary caregiver to her husband, who lived until his death with many health problems, one of which was diabetes. She was so diligent with his care. She was diligent about everything.

Gram was resourceful, as well. She made her own jam from berries she grew on her property. I was always happy to get a supply of her delicious applesauce, made from apples grown on her property. Zander was happy too! She made mincemeat every year, the old fashioned way. I admired how she kept baking and cooking and jamming, long after her daughters (and daughter-in-law) were fabulous cooks and bakers themselves. It would be easy enough to just hang up the apron, but not Gram. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and it is true for granddaughter-in-law’s too, I will never forget the yummy things she fed me.

During meals at her home, it was hard to get her to sit down and eat! In fact, even in OTHER peoples homes, I doubt I ever saw her sit for very long. She had to be coaxed out of the kitchen. Always fussing, always doing.

It broke my heart when I heard she had a massive stroke. In my heart I hoped that she would find some peace after her husband died and focus a bit of attention on herself for a change. Take a trip, buy something nice, do something indulgent. She never ceased to think of others, to do for others. She was such a kind and giving woman.

I am sad that Zander is only two and will probably not remember what a wonderful woman his Great Gram was (or G.G. as she liked to called). Our house is a sad one as we try and process the loss of this wonderful woman, a void that will be felt forever.

Yup, its a sad, sad day. Needless to say I am back to measuring and weighing and counting points. I like to say that WeightWatchers is a lifestyle change, not a diet but it is KIND OF a diet. So far, it is the the only thing that has worked.  I think its because the human mind is terrible at estimating calories, or in this case, points.  When I first went off WeightWatchers, the first week or so was okay. I think I really did have 1 point worth of creamer in my coffee and eat 4 points worth of cereal. Soon though, your brain starts to lie to you. Oh sure, that cupcake is only 4 points. That half a bottle of wine was really only 5 points. And all of a sudden you start to lose track. How many points per day again? And then you are way off track. And you are back in your maternity jeans.