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Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the day our beautiful Nana passed away. Two years of picking up the phone to call her and realizing she wouldn’t answer. Two years of not being able to send her flowers on her wedding anniversary, birthday and Mother’s Day. Two years of not planning to surprise her by showing up at her door. Two years of missing the greatest human being to ever walk the planet.
If I had 5 more minutes, I would:
- Thank her for loving me unconditionally.
- Have my daughters shower her with love.
- Take more pictures and videos of her.
- Ask her to sing “Bushel and a Peck” just once more.
- Give her a hug that was long enough to memorize.
- Tell her over and over again how much she meant to us all.
- Fill her tiny room with bright, colorful flowers.
- Set up one last bingo game and make sure she wins the jackpot.
- Hold her hand and memorize every wrinkle.
- Catch her up on everything she’s missed.
- Play 500 rummy or rummy cube with her.
- Dance with her.
- Take her on a walk.
- Polish her nails for her.
- Apologize to her for those that didn’t give her the closure she deserved.
- Tell her that I’m living my best life for her.
- Prepare a meal with her favorite foods.
- Assure her that we will never forget her.
- Show her the pillows we had made out of her favorite clothes.
- Ask her what heaven is like and how Papa is.
- Ask her for forgiveness for anything I might’ve done to hurt her feelings.
- Tell her how much I love her.
- Promise her that we will all make her proud.
- Make sure she knew just how much we all appreciate her.
- Ask for 5 more minutes.
Nana was our rock. She was beautiful and kind and incredibly funny. She was the first person I called when I had good news to share. She was everything to us and it’s been the hardest two years of our lives.
No matter how busy life gets, always make time for your loved ones. They can be taken from you in an instant. Say what you need to say. Shower them with love. Don’t let 5 minutes pass without telling them just how much you love them. Before it’s too late and you are begging for 5 more minutes.
If you had 5 more minutes with someone you lost, what would you do?
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Nancy at Whispered Inspirations
August 6, 2018I’m so sorry for your loss, this is such a beautiful list. I’ve been lucky to not have suffered much loss in my life but, I know it is inevitable. Having 5 more minutes would be amazing. Thanks for this.
Alice Megan
August 5, 2018My condolences, but what a lovely way to remember her
Tiffany Haywood
August 3, 2018Such a beautiful post and reminder to treasure every single moment with those you love. I try to live my life where each moment counts and becomes a memory to last a lifetime. Thank you for sharing this.
Shannon Gurnee - Redhead Mom Blog
August 3, 2018I love that continue celebrating the life and love for your Nana. I bet she would be so proud!
tia mckinzie
August 2, 2018This hit me so hard, i feel this way about to many people. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers
LavandaMichelle
August 2, 2018What a beautiful post in her honor! This made me smile throughout the whole read, Im sure she’d love this post. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Debby
August 2, 2018What a beautiful tribute. My mom, my kids Nana, passed away 10 years ago. We still miss her everyday.
Anosa Malanga
August 2, 2018I guess five minutes will never be enough, the list you gave is really what would be done by a person missing a loved one. Reading your post made me a little sad but happy knowing you were still living up with her memories.
sammi
August 2, 2018May God bless her soul. It is sad to lose a loved one.
Kelli A
August 2, 2018I feel this so deep in my soul! I lost two of my grandmothers last year within 2 months of each other. This past summer was the one year mark and I find myself thinking most of these things as well!
Melanie Walsh
August 2, 2018I wish I had five more minutes to make a sock puppet with my nephew. He received a kit for Christmas and really wanted someone to help him. In the chaos of the holiday with a newborn, I didn’t get a chance. We lost him to an aggressive form of leukemia that took him in less than a week at the end of January.
kylie cre8tone
August 2, 20185 more minutes, can makes so much difference… such a sweet post… time is really precious!~
Heather
August 2, 2018This is so sweet! I remember how hard it was when my grandmother past away. I’m sorry for your loss.
Pooja Kawatra
August 1, 2018This is such an emotional post and literally, have tears in my eyes. I lost my dad a few years back and just made me realise to treasure all the relations.
Jean Exum Sauban
August 1, 2018That’s really thoughtful and sweet, Heather. It’s been 5 years since my grandmother passed away. It’s hard to believe. If she were still alive, I’d tell her what a great inspiration she continues to be for me.
Ching
August 1, 2018I never knew my Nana but felt really emotional reading this. I feel this way about my parents. The time will come when they will have to leave this earth and I will never be ready for it and will Mourn their loss for the rest of my life. I’m sure of that.
Jona Shares
August 1, 2018I know your Nana in heaven is happy watching over all of you. A new angel up in heaven. I love how you commemorate her.
Peter
August 1, 2018Nana sounds amazing . If I could have five more minutes with my nana, I fear it would t be long enough
Sara Welch
August 1, 2018Nana seemed like a truly amazing woman. You are lucky to have had just 1 minute with her!
Trina
August 1, 2018I’m over here in tears! I miss my Nana so badly, she was my person, and now all I can imagine is having 5 more minutes with her. I would do all of these! Such a beautiful post.
Rosey
August 1, 2018My grandma meant the world to me too. It took me a lot of years to accept she was gone.
Nicole
August 1, 2018What a beautiful post. I’m sure everyone wants just five more minutes with a loved one that has passed, probably more! Thanks for sharing.
Annette Dattilo
August 1, 2018Such a beautiful post, it made me cry. Thank you for reminding us to constantly show our loved ones how much we love them. Your Nana sounds like an amazing women. xo
Kelly Reci
August 1, 2018This is such a beautiful post and really brought tears to my eyes. I have lost loved ones and I think about things like this all the time… if I had 5 extra minutes.
Kathy
August 1, 2018What a beautiful post. So sorry to hear of your grandmother passing. Even as the years go on, it still is hard. You made a lovely list of minutes here.
Amanda Martin
August 1, 2018Such a sweet sentiment! Time is such a gift <3
Linette
August 1, 2018So beautiful. As I’m coming up on the 1st year of my Daddy passing, I would most definitely ask for 5 more minutes…
Chubskulit Rose
August 1, 2018I am so sorry for your loss. July 31st is also my Dad’s death anniversary, it’s been 15 years and still the pain doesn’t go away.
Charli Bruce
August 1, 2018What a beautiful post. I am so very sorry for your loss, my nonna died over 11 years ago and I still miss her dearly x
Louisa
August 1, 2018Wow this is such a sweet post. This is a great reminder for those of us who still have our loved ones around to share how we feel with them. You just never know! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. So inspiring.
Carol Cassara
August 1, 2018It’s never easy to say goodbye to a loved one and I think this post is such a wonderful way to remember her and recognize this day. I’m sure she’s smiling wherever she is.
kumamonjeng
August 1, 2018Your post has reminded me to treasure the people around me while they are alive. The 25 things just made tears roll down my cheek. Thank you.
Mama in Heels
August 1, 2018This is so sweet! My grandmother passed away five years ago and I miss her every day.
Liz Cochico
August 1, 2018What a beautiful and loving post for your Nana. You must miss her so much. I was still a little girl when my nana passed away and I don’t remember much of our time together.
Lisa Martin
August 1, 2018What a beautiful post. Thank you for the reminder to cherish those we love and hold deer.
Ebonye
July 31, 2018What a unique and sentimental blog post! It definitely gives us a glimpse of who you really are. I love it!
KD Harris
July 31, 2018Such a sentimental post! Loved this.
Jennifer
July 31, 2018This is such a touching post — raw. Thank you for sharing this. If I had 5 more minutes with my grandpa I would sit down and play the piano with him. <3
GiGi Eats
July 31, 2018This makes me really sad actually because I cannot even remember the last time I spoke to my grandmother before she died. I really can’t. And the last time I saw her before she died? Oh man, THAT I REALLY cannot remember AT ALL. It’s so unfortunate – I adored my grandmother so much! All we can do is remember the amazing times with them.
Heather Castillo
July 31, 2018🙁
Sarah Bailey
July 31, 2018This is such a lovely post, I often think about what I would do if I just had another meeting with family members who have sadly passed on.
Tasheena
July 31, 2018My maternal grandmother passed away when I was a baby. I would love a couple of minutes to chat with her… I just have so many unanswered questions that I would love to know.
Melissa Chapman
July 31, 2018This is such a sweet post and a great way to remember Nana. She looked beautiful and seems like she gave her love to you and everyone she touched.
Glenda Cates
July 31, 2018For me, it would be my daughter who passed away at 16 and I would ask her if she knew how much I love her and how much I miss her. Then I would introduce her to her brother as she had always wanted one and didn’t get a real brother before she passed away. Then I would hug her and never let her go. As she walked away I would remind her to tell my mom and grandmother how much my son and I miss them and we wish we could hug them one more time. Then I would apologize to Suzzane for not being the mom she deserved.
robin rue
July 31, 2018I lost my mom last year and I always say that I just need one more minute with her to say everything I Need to say and wasnt’ able to.
Jeanette
July 31, 2018So many things that you listed here I feel all the way to the core. I have lost all of my grandparents and I wish sometimes I still had five more minutes with them.
Alli Smith
July 31, 2018I totally get it! My mom passed away two years ago and it was completely unexpected. I, too, pick up the phone to call her and sometimes I think about something I want to tell her. Five more minutes would be awesome!
Amber Myers
July 31, 2018This is such a sweet post. It’s always hard when family members leave us. My Nana Jo is 97 and I know I’ll miss her immensely when she’s gone.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All
July 31, 2018My Grandma passed many years ago and I think about her every day. This is a great reminder we don’t know what’s in store for any of us so we should tell our loved ones we love them often.