Anna Gantner

Ich bedauere sehr dass ich nicht persoenlich da sein, und Abschied nehmen konnte. Mama war schon immer der Inbegriff und Anker unserer Familie, hielt alles zusammen, war immer bescheiden und immer fuer uns da. Wir, ihre Kinder - Ihren Enkeln & Urenkeln, galt immer Ihr ganzer Stolz, sie hat Ihr ganzes Leben uns gewidmet. Ich bin froh und geehrt, dass ich solch eine Mama hatte - dankbar fuer ihre Hilfe und die Zeit die ich und meine Toechter mit Ihr erleben durften. Es schmerzt jeden Tag, ich war "Ihr Karlie, Ihr Sohn". Dieser starken Frau gebuehrt im Nachhinein mein vollster Respekt. Mama, ich werde dich nie vergessen. Und erst heute habe ich dir eine frische Rose & Kerze an dein Bild getellt. Das Leben geht weiter, anders als vorher, aber es geht. Liebe Mama, Du bist & bleibst immer in unseren Herzen... R.I.P., we LOVE you all..!

I started writing this with feelings of regret that I could not be there in person to say my final goodbyes, or to see Oma’s face be illuminated by her smile and child-like glimmer in her eyes. But more impactful than those feelings of heartbreak are all the memories we have of her and the people we all became because she was our Oma. Oma and I lived most of our lives in different corners of the world, but she was always kept near me through my father’s stories. And when we did have the festive fortune of visiting Oma, we could always look forward to her love, her delicious Bavarian home cooked meals, ironed socks (!), updates on our family (whom, through her, we were all connected), lessons in fashion (she was always the impeccable fashionista) and the simple joys of sharing a drink and stories of our lives in the years that passed. She lived a simple life, and it didn’t take much to bring her joy – a phone call, a visit or a hug and a goodnight kiss. We were the most important people in the world to her and she lived to make our lives better. To think that someone like her felt that way about me makes me more than a little happy and it uplifts me every time I think about her. There is a part of her in each of us, something inherently good that she passed on while never asking for anything in return. Her dedication to her family will always inspire me. May your enlightened soul rest in eternal divine bliss. In all our hearts, you will forever live. May our souls meet again, my Oma.