In loving memory....

Two weeks ago my grandmother left her life on her to be with her Savior. And while yes, we are so happy for her that she is out of the pain and suffering that she endured on her life on earth, it is still so hard to try to go on in life without her.

Dear Grandma, BooBoo, Thelma, Julia and all the many other names that you were called by me,

I don't know where else to begin but by saying that you were wonderful. You were fun, you were special, and you were loved. Very, very loved. There are so many things that I wish I could tell you. I want to tell you that the hours and hours that you spent pouring into our lives--whether it be by sewing something for us, writing in our journals, creating our scrapbooks, playing games with us, or just talking to us--all that time and effort, it paid off. Oh, Grandma how it paid off. I want those days back when we would play in the pool for hours, when we would go shopping at Belks for my Easter dress when I was little, when we would eat ambrosia together every Christmas, when we would stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing games, and when we would make pancakes together every time that we came to visit.

I know that you went through so much pain and so much suffering. And, while some grandchildren can boast about how their grandma does this or that for them, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that my grandma lived for her grandchildren. You went to dialysis three times a week, even though you hated it, just so you could live longer for us.

You have touched countless lives, in so many ways. You had such a deep love for people, and you cared about them so much. The legacy that you left is so immense. And so beautiful.

Thank you for teaching me so many things. You taught me that the menial things count and don't go unnoticed. You knew how to do things well when it came to organizing anything- whether it be a simple birthday celebration or a wedding. You were amazingly gifted when it came to sewing, quilting, and scrap booking. And, you have left so many things that we can enjoy in the years to come.

And Grandma, the quilt that you told me that you were going to make years ago, I saw it for the first time a few days after you were gone. I had completely forgotten about it, and when I was reminded of it I cried. Because even though your hands were gnarled by the gout that restricted what you did with them, you still made it. And it was perfect, and beautiful.

Grandma, thank you for teaching me to appreciate the fun things in life. Like lime popsicles, and fluffy Amish books. Every time that I eat a popsicle, or read an Amish book I will think of you... and I will smile.

Thank you for being proud of me. For coming to my ballet recitals, and after I quit ballet for always asking me how piano was going. You acknowledged the simple things in all of your grandchildrens lives, and it meant so much.

Life will never be the same without you. But we will carry on the traditions that you kept and we will never forget about them. When we all gather together to celebrate holidays I can promise you that there will be a festive table cloth laid out, and the food that you always fixed will be made.

Thank you for always being proud of us. I am so proud of you. I love to tell people about you, and what a wonderful grandmother you were.

You fought the good fight, you finished the race, you kept the faith. Thank you, Grandma.

You are loved. So very, very much... forever.