This is the last photo I have of my Grandmother Susan. It’s from Thanksgiving 06.
As most of you know, she was the reason for our unplanned trip this week. She died yesterday.
Today we will have a private, family viewing. Tomorrow will be all the public ceremonies, celebrations, and mournings (see local obit).
In this photo at Thanksgiving, my niece, Victoria, is showing her Great-Grandmother, SuSu, where her own nose is.
UPDATE: The more our family has talked about it, the more we realize this photo is even more special. You see, Grandmom had to move out of her home of about 55 years last October because of illness. The plan was to go back home. That plan wasn’t working so at Thanksgiving we brought her back to the house to celebrate with us. The plan was still that she’d be back in time for Christmas. She never set foot in her house again. Also that day she was happy we were there, but you could see she was sad. She’s such a servant and she needed to be served. But there were a few times she smiled. Then there is also the fact that this photo not only captured Grandmom’s smile, it captured who we know her to be. No one saw her like this again. I feel so proud and humbled at the same time that I was given the opportunity to capture this photo…the last good photo of Susan Hollis Williams — the one we all knew and loved deeply.
