To Know You....Was To Love You.

Grandma Jean.

A true class act.

No biological relation at all.

She's grandma Sherre's mother in law.

Here's what I'll always remember about her;

Whenever there was a family dinner at the Cain home, Grandma Jean would zip over in her little coupe.

Outta the Ranch, as in Rancho Santa Fe, and over to the coast of Solana Beach.

That then changed when a car service would take you home.

A little history...

Grandma Jean and I formed a bond if you will when we both shared tales of being widowed.

Not as in commiserating, but in sharing the beautiful tales of the love for our late spouses and the blessings that were bestowed on us because of those unions.

Her Bob.

My Dennis.

Grandma Jean had some wonderful stories to tell.

She shared how she met "Bob" her love.

She was a working mom to three young children, raising them on her own living in Del Mar, Ca.

LtoR: Molly, Grandma Jean, Andy and David front and center.

Soon enough, fate would step in. 

She met Bob Barnes, a Decorated Flight pilot that swept her off her feet.

They fell in love and blended two families into one back in the late 50s.

Traveling around the world and setting up homes in Italy, New Mexico, and Las Vegas each story of their lives was pungent with the scent of respect and loyalty in their love.

They became the first brady bunch if you will;

 she with two sons and a girl, he with two daughters and a son.

As the years went on they settled into Rancho Santa Fe, living a life of travel and golf, relishing in renewing the bonds of old and new friendships, happy and content to live out their Golden years.

Then Bob passed away.

Grandma Jean had activities and friendships that kept her busy. 

Oh and the magazines;

Archeologist Digest

Smithsonian

National Geographic

The New Yorker

You loved to read.

You could generate and hold your own with conversations about Politics, Current events and by no means was a shrinking violet.

I just have to say, I loved how when you would come over for dinner, you would be sitting at one end of the table and your son David at the other.
Your son, would start in on any one of the cast of characters that he immitates.
I would look over at you and a slight smirk while saying to your son, "Now David".
Just one of the things, I'm gonna miss that about you.

In the last year her health had declined. 

I hold now in my heart our many chats at the home of her son and daughter in law (Grandpa David and Grandma Sherre). 

This past Christmas did I ever think or feel this was the last time I would share a place in time?

Priceless.

She was always interested in knowing how Savy and I were doing. 

Was happy whenever something seemed to be moving forward and for the best direction for us.

This weekend, Savannah and I headed into San Diego County for the MLK Holiday. 

We had it scheduled since Dec with the Grandparents as it would be a quality 3 day holiday for the Grandparents to see Savannah. 

With our visit, we heard Grandma Jean wasn't doing well on Sunday evening.

Had taken a turn for the worse all of a sudden.

When I woke up this morning, I was told that Grandma Jean passed away at 5 a.m.

This is the way I want to remember her.

Being in a Garden environment.

Taking in scenery and that smile that was just Grandma Jean.

With her beautiful radiant skin.

Her Pink lipstick.
Her love for a Estee Lauder perfume.

That shock of white hair.

Radiant and Elegant.

Grandma Jean Barnes 2012

Rest in Peace Grandma Jean.

You may have not of been a blood relation, but you touched my heart and reached my soul with a mothers love, like that of so many that crossed your path.

I love you.

Viola