Grandma

Not too long after I wrote this post and went to bed, my Grandma passed away.  My dad called me at 8am on Wednesday and as soon as I heard his ring tone I knew what had happened. 

 Grandma's House ~ 1999

We just barely made it back in time on Monday night for me to see her on Tuesday.  I went by myself knowing that she probably wouldn't be awake anyway.

Summer 2001

I didn't want the boys to see her like that and it was good.  I needed the time to just sit by her side, talk to her a bit, and reflect.

Freshly painted and stenciled kitchen

I held her hand, but she looked so bad and sounded so wheezy that I just didn't want to remember her that way.  So I looked up at the pictures on the bulletin board above her head.  None of them are these, but they were good pictures.

Thanksgiving 2002

These first ones are all photos out of my scrapbooks that I've taken over the years. (so please excuse the poor quality as they are pictures of pictures)  This is how I want to remember her.

 

Pre-grad party ~ 2003

She was pretty much the only Grandma I had.  I remember her coming to visit us a few times when we lived in Oregon.  I remember the looooong drive to Spokane to visit her.

My family at graduation

What I remember most is the relationship I got to have with her after high school.  Going to visit on my own at spring break and in the summer.

After grad celebration!

Although I have one special memory from high school.  She came over to watch me be in the Junior Miss Program (basically a pageant without the swimsuits) and spent the day with me while everyone else was in school/working and I was getting ready.  I don't remember what stories she told me, but I do remember learning a lot about her.  More than I had known before about who she was as a person.  It was a very special day.

My new apartment in Seattle after graduation

She was the only one to make it to my high school graduation, my college graduation (the first one anyway!), and my wedding.  College was the last big trip she took and just a few weeks later she fell and broke her hip.  We thought we'd lose her then, but it's been 7 1/2 more years!

Our wedding ~ 2005

She moved over near us so we got to see her a lot more often.  She was more a regular part of our lives even as she started to remember less.

Christmas 2006

She got to meet both her great grandsons.  I hope Cory will remember her some.  Especially how she made the shrimp noises at him (don't ask!).  He loved to play with her necklaces and stuffed animals.

First Great Grandson ~ March 2007

Mostly what I want to remember is that family was important to her and she loved us.  She wasn't perfect, but none of us are.

Cory's First Birthday ~ March 2008

She had a lot of character and maybe I don't want to be just like her when I get old, but I hope I have a full life too.

November 2008

Grandma, I've missed you for awhile.  I'll see you again someday!