Baum

It has not been a good week for our family.  My grandma passed away sometime on Monday night. It was a surprise, but it seems that she left peacefully in her sleep.

I've called her Baum ever since I could talk.  I think it started out as my attempt at "grandma", but the name stuck, and she loved it.  When I was two, Baum came to take care of me after my brother was born.  She was worried that I would waste away in her care; I was a pretty skinny little toddler and a picky eater. Baum figured out that I liked pumpkin pie, and she fed me that all the time. By the time she left, I was a pretty chunky toddler.

Baum and my grandfather were missionaries for 40 years in Haiti.  They ran a Christian radio station there. I grew up listening to the tapes of Bible stories they acted out for their station.  Because of this, I even knew the obscure Old Testament stories, like the story of Balaam and the donkey. We were often worried about them, the political situation being what it was, and we often missed them, but they always came back.

Baum had five children, twelve grandchildren, and I'm not certain of the number of great-grandchildren, but it's a lot.  She and Granddaddy celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary last year.  She was loved by, and will be missed by many, many people.

Comments

[Jean]

Oh, Kristy, I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was an amazing person. You're in my thoughts. Hugs!

[Kelly]

Oh Kristy my goodness! *massive hug* Your grandma sounds like a wonderful lady. I'm sure her work in haiti did soooo much for those people!
God Bless her!

[--Deb]

Oh no! Kristy, I'm so sorry. What an awful week, and I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Dave]

I'm so sorry.

[Alicia]

Your baum sounds amazing. I am so sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

[Stacey]

It has been such a tough week - take care of yourself - the grieving process is so hard but it can be so good to feel it so you can heal. Your grandparents sound like true treasures! Take care!

[kim]

I'm sorry for your loss and so soon after Mac. What a nice tribute to a grandmother who was so clearly loved and admired.

[bea]

I'm so so sorry. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[Jess]

I'm so sorry. What a wonderful woman to have as your Grandmother. I am sure she was a blessing to know.

[Liz K.]

So very sorry, Kristy. What a sucker punch.

Thanks for sharing these small remembrances of what sounds like a wonderful woman. What a life she led.

{{{Hugs}}}

[Stacey]

I'm so sorry. My Grammy passed this past January and she was the best pie baker ever! Well, in my world. We should all be thankful for the strong women who have shaped us into the women we are.

[Sharon]

Oh Kristy, I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a fascinating and lovely lady. My prayers and thoughts to you and your family. (Cyber hugs)

[Ruth]

I'm so sorry for another loss, so soon. What a fascinating woman - it sounds like she lived a very full life.

[Christy]

Kristy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My Gram died 9 years ago and I am so grateful everyday for the special memories I have of reading with her, playing cards and just talking. I hope you find your memories of your Baum as comforting.

[Nora]

I'm sorry sweetheart. Your Baum was an amazing woman. Keep her close, in your heart. x

[stacey]

I'm so sorry!!! She sounds like an amazing person and a great grandmother. She will always live in those great pictures and wonderful memories.

[Amy]

My heart goes out to you and your family. Thanks for sharing her memory with us, and I hope it will be a balm in the difficult times to come.

*hugs*

[Jessica]

Geez. You guys just can't catch a break. I am *so* sorry! Try to take comfort in the fact that she obviously had a long full life, was very much loved and left in peace. *giant hugs*

[Kim]

I am so so sorry. I love that you called your grandma Baum. Awesome picture of the 2 of you. Sending prayers to you & your family.

[ann]

That picture is so precious, and a very lovely tribute. My condolences on your loss - and my hopes for better days for you guys. (You deserve some sunshine around the corner!)

[Ariel]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your Baum had a fascinating life, and left her loved ones many wonderful memories of her. Thank you for sharing your tribute to her.

[Cynthia]

Kristy, how heartbreaking for you. Your Baum sounds like a wonderful woman. May you hold her in your heart forever. My condolences to you and your family.

[Adrienne]

I'm very sorry for both of your losses. This holiday season my husband and I also lost two family members in about the same period of time. It is never easy to go through this, and it's even more challenging to go through it twice in such a short period of time.

[tiennie]

I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a terrific woman!

[Kirsten]

So sorry to hear about your loss.

[Mintyfresh]

Gosh, this is a lot for one week, hon. You look so much like your grandmother! Sounds like she had a really interesting life.

[Jacquie]

I echo everyone's comments.

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts in this very difficult time.

[whitney]

::hugs::

I'm so sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts.

[nova]

I am so sorry to read this news of the passing of someone so dear to you, Kristy. I do hope you can take comfort in your happy memories of time spent with your grandmother. I both you guys can also take comfort in each other.

[Ruth]

Oh Kristy.....
I am thinking of you during this time of loss. Here's a cyber hug for you.....

[Stella]

Oh, big hugs. She sounds like a wonderful lady.

[Beth S.]

I'm really sorry to hear about this additional, unexpected loss. I think it's high time your family had some *good* news instead. :-(

That's an adorable picture, by the way. It's very sweet that you can always remember your grandmother when you eat a piece of (authentic) pumpkin pie. :-) Did you also roast the seeds?

[pamela wynne]

oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. Take care of yourself. xo

[Tanya]

It hurts to lose someone so special in your life, but isn't it wonderful to have all those memories. You and your family are in my thoughts.

[Brenda]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kristy. She sounds like a wonderful person and grandmother.

[kelp!]

I'm catching up on blogs today, and I'm so sorry to read about your and David's losses. Your families are in my thoughts...