Wordy Wednesday
Posted on by Debbie

Wordy Wednesday – It’s all about Ruby

Ruby was a real gem in every way

The Registered Nurse announced the sad news, which we knew in our hearts already.

Ruby had left us.

She was glamorous, clever, sharp as a tack, stoic and a lovely mother-in-law to me, for well over 40 years.

She’d suffered through the sudden and unexpected death of her second son back in 2014, leaving behind a wife and two young teenage children; then her husband passed away suddenly in 2018 and she was left alone in her house, with no nearby neighbours, out of town, unable to drive (she’d never learnt that skill), and with her remaining two children living many hours drive away.

But she was happy, reading books, doing puzzles, welcoming the birds to the garden, watching TV and communicating with her grandchildren by text. She was well versed in social media and loved nothing more than receiving messages with photos and news of her great-grandchildren’s antics. The girls loved nothing more than getting her comments and ‘chatting’ with her.

Ruby had 3 great-grandchildren and another due in January 2021, strewn across Australia and on the other side of the world. Unfortunately she’d only managed to meet one of them in person but she knew the personalities of the others and delighted in seeing their growth and development. She passed on words of wisdom from time to time.

She loved and was loved in return.

Since June this year her health had seriously declined with oesophagus cancer taking hold and making life a bit more difficult. She never complained about the unfairness of the hand she’d been dealt, just got on with things as best she could.

Did I mention she was proud and strong?

Ruby was 89 years old and was a truly remarkable woman.

Birthday girl!
Birthday girl back in 2016

A few years ago I used this photo of Ruby in response to a weekly photo challenge and wrote these words to go with it. They are just as relevant today as they were back then.

R  Reflective, reliable, responsible, resplendent and rational – a calming influence, willing to share her wisdom with all

U  Unique, upbeat, unruffled, understanding and unimpeachable – dealing with all of life’s unfairness in her own way

B  Bright, brave, bereaved and a beautiful person inside and out

Y Young at heart – always!

Ruby often wrote each of my daughters, and later their children, an acrostic poem for their birthdays, so I thought I’d write one for her.

I admired her for all sorts of reasons – the words above just scratch the surface.

Ruby
Ruby-november-2020
Ruby as a young girl
Girls - 3 generations
Ruby's birthday turning 89

It’s hard losing someone so special and we are all very sad, trying to make sense of things, and adjusting to the world without Ruby in it.

grief quote
grief quote

It’s certainly been a tough year.

Bear with me as I work through this grief.

I usually do a ‘Wordless Wednesday’ post but I’m mixing it up by adding a ‘Wordy Wednesday’ post every now and again.

This was something I really wanted to share and words were very much required.

RIP Ruby 💖

Deb 🙂

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Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here

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32 Replies to “Wordy Wednesday – It’s all about Ruby”

  1. I can tell Ruby was well-loved by you all and love the older photos. Yes, our challenges lately have been dealing with elderly parents which is still ongoing. Those last years are a time to deal with losing quite a bit and gaining very little.

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  3. Thank you for sharing this feisty, brave, beautiful soul with us. I can imagine the hole her passing has left in your hearts but hope the wonderful memories you have will help to fill it in. I have a feeling Ruby will be watching over your family during the holidays as your hearts begin to heal. Big love to you.

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  4. I’m so very sorry for your loss of your dear Mom-in-law. Your description of her warms my heart. I love that she embraced social media, texting and delighted in keeping in touch as best she could that way. Hugs to you both and our sincere sympathy. xo

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  7. Here’s to Ruby—a life well-lived! A wonderful tribute to a great lady. I’ve also been blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law. At 96, Fran hasn’t recognized any of her children in over five years, but what a tremendous impression she made on all of us before that.

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  10. What a thoughtful post Deb – and you’re right about writing down our feelings and using that to help us process the grief and the loss. I think those of us who are blessed with kind MIL’s are always grateful for the relationship and will always feel the loss more deeply. x

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  11. How lovely is this tribute to Ruby. She will be missed by many as she was loved and gave her love to many. Knowing of the ravages of that particular cancer her last months would have been very very tough. Memories will continue to flood in and those will be of more happy and shared family times I am sure, I am glad you devoted today to Ruby and to know she made great connections with your children and now, as best she could, to their children. Sending love Denyse

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    1. Thanks Denyse, your support over the last few months has been wonderful. It’s not been easy but she is out of pain now. Memories are sustaining us as is the love of family and friends, like you. xx

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  15. Beautifully written, Deb, during this difficult time. Ruby led an inspirational life and left a beautiful legacy. “She loved and was loved in return.” A good reminder as to what is truly important. Sincere condolences to you and your family.❤️

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