I received some sad news this morning. My Grandmother passed away at 6 am local New Brunswick time. If you recall reading a blog I posted less than a month ago, this would be the grandmother who fed her whole family by putting potatoes, carrots and beef cubes into a huge pot and boiling it all until it became mush. Such is the Acadian way…
Dorina Poirier (Robichaud) was born as a U.S. citizen in the state of Maine. She moved to Canada with her family and settled in Northern New Brunswick sometime in the early decades of the 1900’s. She eventually met my Grandfather, who ironically was intended to marry my Grandmother’s sister, Doris.
My Grandparents got married shortly before my Grandfather shipped out to serve with the military in Europe during World War II. Upon his return, like most military families, they grew a rather significantly large family. They had seven children, the second oldest was my mother.
As a child, I had a very turbulent love/hate relationship with my Grandmother. As was the way of the times, she had been a harsh taskmistress on her children during their youth, some of which carried over onto her grandchildren years later.
I was also left in my Grandmother’s care a great deal as a child while my Mother looked after my brother’s medical care in Montreal. Although I’m certain this was greatly appreciated and was very cost-saving to my parents at the time, as a child I couldn’t help but feel some resentment at being left with this woman who was not my mother. Ah, kids…
My Grandmother’s family has spread like wildfire, considering that she happens to be a Great-Great-Grandmother with four generations of children below her, and counting.
My Grandfather also sadly passed away in 2013 at the age of 98. My Grandmother has missed him ever since and has been waiting to take that final journey to join him. She was my last remaining grandparent.
The irony is that besides the rigours of age, my Grandmother had nothing medically wrong with her. She lived a full life, built a huge family and left her mark on the world. She was 95. She goes now to join those who loved her, to await those she loves. She will be missed. ☯
The Blogging Buddhist 