When my grandmother Zelda died fifteen years ago at the age of ninety, she left me a box of various things from her house that she knew I had kept for years. Among these items is an old leather-bound diary that she aptly namedInspirational diary.
For the second half of her life, she used this diary to record ideas, thoughts, quotes, song lyrics and anything else that moved her. As I grew older, she would read passages from her journal to me and I would listen and ask questions. Honestly, I attribute part of who I am now to the wisdom he gave mewhen i was young.
Although I have shared some of her wisdom in the pasthere on the blogi zour email subscriberstoday is the day he became an angel fifteen years ago. To honor her, I want to share with you some of my favorite quotes from her journal. I did my best to organize, arrange and structure her thoughts into twelve points of inspiration. I hope you find value in them.
1. Inhale the future, exhale the past.
No matter where you are or what you are going through, always believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Never expect, assume or demand. Just do your best, check the items you can check, and then let go. Because once you do what you can, if it's meant to be, it will happen or guide you to the next step you need to take.
2. Life CAN be simple again.
You simply choose to focus on one thing at a time. You don't have to do everything, nor do you have to do everything at once. Breathe, be present and try to make the most of what is in front of you. Whatever you invest in life, life will eventually return to you many times over.(ReadThe power of the present.)
3. Allow others to see you as you are or not see you at all.
Speak and walk your truth, even if your voice and legs tremble. Because you are, you give the world something beautiful that wasn't there before. So walk your path with confidence and don't expect anyone else to understand your journey, especially if they haven't been exactly where you're going.
4. You're not who you used to be and that's okay.
you were hurt you went through many ups and downs that made you who you are today. So many things have happened over the years – things that have changed your perspective, taught you lessons, and made your spirit grow. As time goes by, no one stays the same, but some will still tell you that you have changed. Answer them by saying, “Of course I've changed. This is life. But I'm still the same personnow a little stronger than ever".
5. Everything that happens helps you grow, even if it's hard to see right now.
Over time, circumstances will guide, correct and ennoble you. So whatever you do, keep hoping. The tiniest thread will be twisted into an indestructible ribbon. Let hope anchor you in the possibility that this is not the end of your story—that the changing tide will eventually lead you to calm shores.
6. Happiness is a priceless commodity.
Don't train yourself to be rich, train yourself to be happy. That way, when you grow up, you will know the real value of things, not the price. You'll find that the best days are those when you don't need anything extreme or special to make you smile. You just appreciate the moments and feel gratitude without asking for anything more, nothing more. This is real luck, after all.(Note: Our latest publication from Penguin Random House,"Good morning diary: Strong motivations and thoughts for a good start to every day", is a great tool for everyday gratitude and self-reflection).
7. Be determined to be positive in an average day.
Realize that most of your unhappiness or unhappiness does not depend on circumstances, but on your attitude. So smile at those who often try to make you jealous or hurt you, show them what they lack in life and what they can't take from you.
8. Pay special attention to those you care about.
Sometimes when a loved one tells you, "It's okay," you have to look them in the eye, give them a big hug, and say, "I know you're not." And don't be angry if some people only remember you when they need you. Feel privileged to be the beacon that appears in their minds when there is darkness in their lives.
9. Autonomy is a gift you can give.
Sometimes you have to let a person grow. Because in their lives it will not be what you do for them that matters, but what you have taught them to do for themselvessuccessful man.
10. You will grow from some relationships.
Sometimes getting the results you want means getting rid of people who don't serve your best interests. This allows you to make room for those who support you to be the absolute best version of you. This happens gradually as you get older. You realize who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you've known for a long time don't see things the way you do. So, you keep good memories, but you are on the move.
11. You don't need anyone's permission to give yourself a chance.
It's usually better to look back on life and say, "I can't believe I did that," than to look back and say, "I wish I had." After all, people are going to judge you anyway. So don't live your life trying to impress others. Instead, live your life impressing yourself. Love yourself enough to never lower your standards for anyone.(ReadThe last lecture.)
12. Endings often create beginnings of great journeys.
If you're looking for a happy ending and can't find it, maybe it's time to start looking for a new beginning. Refresh yourself and accept that you have to make mistakes from time to time. That's how you learn. The strongest people - those who laugh the loudest and smile the most - are the same people who have fought the hardest battles. They are smiling because they have decided not to let anything stop them, iemove on to a new beginning.
Thoughts and promises
As I finish this short tribute to my grandmother, I am reminded of the Christian D. Larson poem that hung on her refrigerator when I was a child. When I was old enough to understand the poem, my grandmother photographed it for me, and more than 30 years later, I still have the same photocopy laminated and hanging on a bulletin board in my office. Although I have shared this poem in previous blog posts over the years, I wanted to share it again here because these are the words my grandmother tried to live by:
"Promise yourself...
Think only the best, work only for the best,
and do what you can.
Be equally enthusiastic about the success of others
like you for yours.
Forgive past mistakes
and strive for greater achievements in the present.
Always have a friendly face
and laugh at every living thing you meet.
Spend so much time improving yourself
that you don't have time to criticize others.
Too focused to care, too gentle to anger, too strong to fear,
and too calm to cause trouble.
Think well of yourself and announce this fact to the world,
not with loud words, but with great deeds.
Live in faith that the whole world is on your side
as long as you are true to the best in you."
(Note: Angel and I discuss strategies for living these words in the chapters on happiness and self-love"1000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently".)
Your turn…
Before you go, leave Angel and I a comment below and let us know what you think of this essay. Your opinion is important to us.🙂
What was my grandmother's point that resonated the most today?
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Photographed by:Gabriel Fanelli
FAQs
What do you write in memory of your grandmother? ›
- You will be missed. The most important thing to remember is that your grandmother will be missed. ...
- You were loved. ...
- You made a difference. ...
- You will be remembered. ...
- Your life was a blessing.
- “What is lovely never dies, but passes into other loveliness.” – ...
- “Unable are the loved to die. ...
- “We all die. ...
- “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. ...
- “If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them.” —
I will miss you, grandmother, but your spirit and strength live on in each of us and the lives you touched with the love, strength, wisdom, and beauty of your soul. You truly were a one-in-a-million grandma. Rest in peace, my Ima! We will never forget you, and we will love you forever.
What is a memory quote about grandmother? ›"A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes."
What do you write in a memory message? ›- May this serve as a living tribute to {her/his} memory.
- Who left this world a better place.
- To a life well lived.
- 'til we meet again, my friend.
- Your memory will live on as this tree blossoms and grows.
- Praying for your strength and resilience. ...
- We are so sorry for your loss.
"There will never be a day like the day your grandchild was born." "A grandparent's love is strong and deep, filled with memories to treasure and keep." "If children are the rainbow of life, then grandchildren are the pot of gold." "There is no greater sound than the sound of your grandchildren laughing."
Why is losing a grandma so hard? ›Your grandparent might have been the glue that held the family together. Often times, family members consider the eldest family member to be the patriarch or matriarch of the family. This person may seem like the family's foundation and when they die the entire family becomes fractured and untethered.
What is the best rip message? ›My sincerest condolences for you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
How do you say goodbye to your grandmother who passed away? ›- Call her often. If your grandmother is still able to take phone calls, set some time aside daily to call her and tell her about what your day was like and ask her about hers. ...
- Write to her. ...
- Send her a gift. ...
- Send her photos.
Concentrate on the memories you shared with your grandmother, what she taught you, what she enjoyed in life, how she influenced your life and why you will miss her. Use memories or incidents that characterize her best. It's the stories and memories about your grandmother that will make your tribute special and unique.
What should I read at my grandma's funeral? ›
- Memories in The Heart (author unknown) ...
- Remember Me, by Christina Rossetti. ...
- Warning by Jenny Joseph. ...
- When I Must Leave You, by Helen Steiner Rice. ...
- A Wonderful Grandmother (Author unknown) ...
- The Watcher by Anne Widdemer. ...
- Legacy of Love (author unknown) ...
- God Looked Around His Garden.
"A grandmother is a remarkable woman. She's a wonderful combination of warmth and kindness, laughter and love."
What are some good old memories quotes? ›“The past beats inside me like a second heart.” “Humans, not places, make memories.” “He was still too young to know that the heart's memory eliminates the bad and magnifies the good, and that thanks to this artifice we manage to endure the burden of the past.” “There are memories that time does not erase…
How do you write a meaningful message? ›- DO write about anything special, entertaining, or touching that's happened lately.
- DO write about interesting or significant events in your past and lessons you've learned from them.
- DO include anything personally relevant to your reader, like shared interests and hobbies.
“We pray the love for the lost is forever carried in your memory.” “Words can't express how saddened we are to hear of your loss.” “May the memory of [insert name] bring you comfort and peace.” “Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength.”
When a loved one passes away quotes? ›- "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." ...
- "If tears could build a stairway,and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again." ...
- "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow."
- “Grandparents are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they're there.”
- “Grandparents hold our hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.”
- “Grandmas and grandpas are grand-angels.” – Terri Guillemets.
- “My family is my life, and everything else comes second as far as what's important to me.” – ...
- “A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” – ...
- “The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that the free man makes for himself and by himself.” –
- To my mentors and best friends, Happy Grandparents Day.
- Grandma, thank you for your infinite love and wisdom. ...
- Thank you for building a family of love and kindness. ...
- Grandma, thank you for always spoiling me! ...
- To the best hugger(s) I know, Happy Grandparents Day!
Then, in 1956, Rappaport (6) first described what he called “The Grandparent Syndrome.” He defined the syndrome as the develop- ment of detrimental and grotesque character traits brought about by the identification with the grandparent.
Is it normal to cry when Grandma dies? ›
The death of a grandparent may be one of the earliest bereavements we experience. Whether the loss of your grandfather or grandmother was expected or sudden, grief can be overwhelming and is a natural response to losing someone you care about.
Should children see dying grandparents? ›A child who visits a dying grandparent has the chance to say goodbye and gain closure. A deathbed visit also allows the child to learn about life, love, grief, and sorrow. Shielding a child from life's harsh realities may prolong suffering after learning of their grandparents' death.
What are words of comfort? ›- “We are so sorry for your loss.”
- “I'm going to miss her, too.”
- “I hope you feel surrounded by much love.”
- “Sharing in your sadness as you remember Juan.”
- “Sharing in your sadness as you remember Dan.”
- “Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. ...
- “With deepest sympathy as you remember Robert.”
The 40 days is an opportunity for judgment before God. It's believed in Eastern Orthodox religions that the soul completes many obstacles known as the aerial toll houses. The soul passes through the aerial realm, which is home to evil spirits.
How do you say goodbye funeral words? ›- You will be greatly missed.
- I will never forget you.
- Until we meet again.
- Farewell, my friend. I've been beyond lucky to know you.
- You are forever in our hearts.
- Thank you for the life we shared.
- I miss you already. You've touched so many lives – mostly mine.
- It's so hard to say goodbye.
My grandmother is the sweetest, most caring person in the world. She has taken care of all of us since we were babies. My grandmother knows all of my favourite food, favourite toys, and TV shows. She is also an amazing cook.
What are some words for grandmother? ›- ancestor.
- grandma.
- granny.
- matriarch.
- dowager.
- gram.
- maternal forebear.
Titus 2:1-5: Grandmothers As Examples
Part of the verse says, "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine," to state how grandmothers serve as an example for their family members.
Firstly, there is no “rule” when it comes to children attending a funeral. Some grieving family members prefer children not to attend as they worry they'll be a distraction from the ceremony, but in most cases kids are allowed to attend.
What my grandma means to me? ›She is the best listener and never criticizes anyone even if you make a very opinionated remark. She has raised a family and has lived through many of the good and bad changing times of our world, therefore has unconditional love for almost everyone she comes in contact with.
How can you say that and loved her grandmother very much? ›
She was very close to her grandmother. Anne writes about her grandmother in her diary, “No one knows how often I think of her and still love her” this gives us a deep insight into the feelings of love she had for her grandmother.
How can you say that grandmother was beautiful but not pretty? ›She was never an attractive woman physically. But she had a divine beauty in her. Her noble qualities gave her a spiritual beauty. So she could be 'beautiful' without being 'pretty.
What is the most beautiful moment in life quote? ›Sadhguru beautiful quote: The most beautiful moments in life are moments when one is expressing.
What is a good quote about memories and pictures? ›Memories are timeless treasures of the heart. Happy times come and go, but the memories stay forever. A photograph keeps a moment from running away. A photograph is the pause button of life.
What are the best memorable quotes? ›| Quote | Who |
|---|---|
| Knowledge is power. | Sir Francis Bacon |
| Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. | Forrest Gump (character) |
| Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. | Albert Einstein |
| May the Force be with you. | Star Wars (many characters) |
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime. Well take the best, forget the rest, and someday well find these are the best of times.
What is the quote about memories lasting forever? ›Moments come and go, but memories last forever.
What is a thoughtful quote for grandma? ›- “Grandmotherhood initiated me into a world of play, where all things became fresh, alive, and honest again through my grandchildren's eyes. ...
- “Every house needs a grandmother in it.” — ...
- “A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.” —
- Reflect on your loved one. The first step to writing a tribute speech involves thinking about the person you lost. ...
- Narrow down your focus. ...
- Determine your tone. ...
- Make a game plan. ...
- Keep it short and sweet. ...
- Practice your speech.
- Call her often. If your grandmother is still able to take phone calls, set some time aside daily to call her and tell her about what your day was like and ask her about hers. ...
- Write to her. ...
- Send her a gift. ...
- Send her photos.
What is a good tribute message? ›
*We are very saddened to hear of your recent loss. *We hope this living tribute will bring comfort to you and your family. *We are thinking of you and your family as you celebrate your _______'s remarkable life and the memories you shared. *My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time.
What are good lines for grandparents? ›- “Grandparents are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they're there.”
- “Grandparents hold our hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.”
- “Grandmas and grandpas are grand-angels.” – Terri Guillemets.
Short & Sweet Things Our Grandparents Say
“Remember that things don't make you happy, people do.” “Live every day like it's your last and you'll never have regrets.” “Believe in yourself and never say 'I wish I would have. ' Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow a dream and today is a present.” – Bonnie C.
Attend a funeral and/or create a ceremony: Honor and share favorite memories, photos, and stories about your grandparent. Give yourself time to grieve: Focus on honoring your grandparent's life before processing the inevitable changes to your family structure due to your grandparent dying.
How do you express gratitude to grandparents? ›- Thanks for all of your love, support, and wisdom.
- Thanks for all the ways you spoil me.
- I'm grateful for all the fun times we've shared.
- Thanks for taking such good care of me.
- Thanks for teaching me so much.
- You're so much fun to be around.
- Introduce Yourself. You could start with something simple like: ...
- Start Your Eulogy With a Quote. One way to start your eulogy is with a quote. ...
- Address Friends and Family. ...
- Share Fond Memories During Your Eulogy. ...
- Address Their Career Achievements and Contributions To The Community.
The concert was a tribute to the musician. Yellow ribbons were tied on trees as a tribute to the soldiers at war. an event at which artists and musicians paid tribute to the famous composer The country was forced to pay tribute.
How do you honor someone with words? ›In a tribute, write about the person's best qualities and successes in life. Share how they changed your life or made you a better version of yourself. Summon admiration for their life's work and what it meant to them.
What do you say at a funeral memory? ›My condolences.” “I offer you my thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes during this dark time in your life.” “May the love which comes from the memories of the dearly departed comfort you now and in the days ahead.” “As you grieve know that we are remembering you and honoring the memory of [Name].