Monday, August 4, 2008

Della...

I mentioned in a post on Friday that I believe with all my heart that my grandma is my guardian angel. She passed away when I was nine years old, I am 31 now. It's hard to believe it has been so long.

Grandma lived right up the dirt road. You see, my parents, like a lot of folks in the country, built on my dad's family's homeplace. So, Grandma was just a walk or bike ride up the road. She had a lot health problems, so by the time I came along she didn't get around well and relied on my aunt who lived with and took care of her.

Grandma had a big old chair with wide arms and I would climb up on the arm of the chair and sit with her for hours. I would do her hair and her nails...we'd play dominoes...watch TV...she'd let me go through her old trunk of keepsakes. We spent a lot of time together. I remember she liked RC Cola, those cookies with the marshmallow and coconut on top...and those little square ice cream cakes...I can't remember the brand right now. She wore day dresses and pastel cardigan sweaters and slippers. And hairnets...she wore hairnets. I almost forgot about that.

And handkerchiefs...she always clutched a handkerchief...and I bet she knows that I sort of do the same thing with tissues or napkins. And she had that special Grandma smell...old sort of...a mix of soap and Avon powder and lotion and just Grandma. A sort of mix of honeysuckle and something else I can never quite figure out...

I with I could describe that smell better, duplicate it somehow, bottle it forever.

I am not sure how many of you believe in ghosts or spirits or guardian angels. I hope a lot of you do. Sometimes I am not even sure what I believe but I can tell you that from time to time Grandma visits me. She did on Friday morning.

I was driving to work around 7:30am. As I often do I was thinking about things I wanted to do and things I needed to get done that day. I was especially thinking about BellaDella and how much the blog had become a big part of my life and how I wanted to expand on it in a number of ways...Remember the Della part is my Grandma. I was sort of repeating BellaDella over and over in my head. I didn't realize at first that the temperature in the car suddenly dropped (I checked the air- it was off) and that sweet smell was there...all around me. Her. Okay, so I will admit that my first reaction was Holy Crap! Grandma!?! I actually said that out loud. She was with me and all around me and riding along to work with me. And then the air warmed up and the smell floated away.

Hopefully you are still reading...so, as I kept driving I asked her to come back to me...that I wanted her there. I wanted to feel her again. And she came back. The sweet smell and chills that started at my toes and made my hair stand on end. Chills that I really can't describe. Chills so powerful they forced tears out of my eyes. It felt like a million hugs, hundreds of tiny kisses. Overwhelming goodness. Grandma.

And then she left again. I drove a little ways more. I thought I might have to pull over to find some tissues but I kept going...smiling so big through my tears. Trying to capture every tiny bit of it in my mind's eye. And in my head I said to her...It's a beautiful morning, isn't it Grandma? I know you love to go riding in the car. And as if she smiled at me and said- Yes, it is. She was there again. The chills, the sweet smell. Her arms wrapped around me tight.

I promise you I am about as sane as they come. Skeptical even sometimes. But I can tell you with 110% certainty that there is something out there bigger than us all and that I think our loved ones surround us each and every day. I am just lucky to get a glimpse of it every once in a while. Friday wasn't the first time. It happened to me once in high school- driving home alone late at night. It happened again during college- again in the car. My little brother has also had a "visit" from her in his car- driving home alone from North Carolina. My cousin also has experienced her presence- marked by her special scent...the sort of honeysuckle.

I'd love to know if any of you out there have any of your own ghost stories. Share...

11 comments:

Thrifty Cents said...

Oh, that's a beautiful story...definitely gave me chill bumps! Thanks for sharing!

Dena said...

I've got goosebumps too! What a wonderful story.

Hugs,
Dena

Heather said...

I found your blog from Kim's Treasures. I enjoyed this story and it gave me goosebumps also! I have had experiences like this involving loved ones who have passed. I do believe that they come to visit us and let us know they are watching over us!!
Your Grandma must have been a wonderful woman!
Heather :)

Anonymous said...

wow. i have goosebumps. i bet you didn't want to get out of the car. just keep riding around with grandma all day. i definately believe in that, just hasn't really happened to me on that level.

Kim's Treasures said...

Awesome story Kim! You must be so thankful for those moments!
Have a wonderful day!
Kim

(Sometimes!) Serendipitous Girl said...

I am completely with you! There is DEFINITELY more out there ... and I'm sane too ... kind of. I mentioned the hummingbirds with my grandmother here a couple of days ago. I have never seen them in Yosemite before, but when we were scattering her ashes last August, one flew down right in front of my face and stopped for a moment, then flew to my sister and stopped for a moment before flying away. I also had a visit from my grandfather coming home from work one night--I was in the elevator and it smelled totally normal. And then all of a sudden after a couple of floors, I was surrounded by the smell of his pipe he used to smoke. I always tell them to COME BACK OFTEN, I miss them both so much. And it's not scary at all, like you said--just a big hug. And always right when you need it!

Liz Harrell said...

What a beautiful story. There is so much out there that we cant see, I believe in that.

And MOON PIES! :) My grandad and I used to eat those with RC Cola too. Thanks for reminding me.

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

No ghost stories, but how precious to have such wonderful memories of your grandma. AND...holy cow on the Good will finds. You had some fun. I am right there with you. I even stopped taking pictures of all of my finds because I thought these people are going to think I am out of control.:)
LOVE IT!

Suzanne said...

What a beautiful visit you have had. I remember a very old movie where the main character knew when the ghost was present because they smelled mimosa's in bloom.

I've never felt my grandmother's presence in a definite way, but I do know that she watches over me. I believe it to my core.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

What a sweet story and I literally got chills reading about it.

Yes, I do believe that we are surrounded by those who love us. I love the story of your grandmother and it is obvious that she loves you and your brother. I have never experienced the smells, however I get feelings some times that someone is near. Once in awhile, we have small things that suddenly will not be where you left it. I have seen orbs before, too.

Thank you for sharing - and you are NOT a nut! :)

xo
Becky

Unknown said...

I've just discovered your blog from Chronicles of a Country Girl and am reading through your old posts. I love this one! Oh, and I completely agree with you! I am sure, weird as it seems, that I have seen my grandparents. I believe they are with me. It's comforting to know that they're around, isn't it?

Enjoying your blog immensely, and I love your store!

Be well
~Andrea~