An Emotional Day

This past week was heavy, the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah and then 9/11 the next day. 24 years later, that day still hits hard. Saturday was an emotional day for my family. We had fond memories of our beloved Gramma, aunt, and mother, Hilde Gaffron.

My aunt posted a picture of the Gaffron siblings on her Facebook. It was taken at my cousin’s graduation party and it brought back memories and a lot of nice comments too.

19 years ago my life was in transition. My academic life had come to an end and my life in the real world was beginning. While it had to happen, that still didn’t make it any easier for me. That Spring, Gram got sick and had to spend time at Forbes before temporarily moving into a nursing home nearby. She spent the summer at home with us. For me, most of that summer was spent taking care of her, as I was unemployed. We spent a lot of time together and she tried to keep my spirits up during that difficult season in my life. Gram made some progress and was able to go back to her house for at least one weekend. Just when it appeared she was turning the corner, she had passed away. I remember the morning very well.

I had just started working at Kings, after my summer of discontent and employment. We were all devastated by her passing. I wonder what she would have thought of all our accomplishments. Three things I know Gram would have been proud to have witnessed:

1. Barack Obama winning the election in 2008. She followed his senate run in the mid-2000’s and just after her passing, he accepted the nomination for President. I do know she would have not been happy with the state of our union now, or the current administration.
2. My involvement in Toastmasters. I joined Toastmasters in 2011 and continued to stay with the organization through transitions in my own life and in hard times. Having to adjust to online meetings during the pandemic did test my loyalty, though. A few of my speeches have been about her, also.
3. Getting to meet Annabelle and all her other great-grandchildren. Gram would have proud to see her other grandchildren become parents. She got to experience being a great grandmother to my oldest cousin’s three boys. Gram and Annabelle would have shared the love of Harry Potter.

I think Gram would have also been proud to see her grandkids take up writing as a hobby. She would have loved reading about my everyday life or about Katie’s everyday adventures.

Finally, some words of wisdom that I picked up in times like these. During 9/11, I memorized a Bible verse that got me through those trying times. It also came in handy during quarantine and social distancing times in 2020.

2 Timothy 1:7–“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Also, in light of the events in Utah, a friend of mine shared a post encouraging us to step away from things like electronics and social media and enjoy life. This was from the governor of Utah and couldn’t have been said any better.