granny, it's hard to believe it's been a year since God called you home. we celebrated you going to be with Jesus exactly a year ago today. that day also happens to be my birthday. at first i was angry with God and asked Him why He had to let it happen on my birthday. i still don't know the reason, but i am no longer angry. He is working in my heart. i do miss writing you, terribly, so i am going to write you here in this place and tell you what i'm celebrating. today, i am celebrating the time that God allowed me to make memories with you.
i'm celebrating that God allowed me to be your granddaughter. not just anyone's, but yours. this is probably one of my all-time favorite pictures, partly because sometimes i look at this picture and wonder why in the world i was wearing that hideous outfit or yeah, it was a bad hair day. then i have to stop myself because i know you loved me just the way i am, crazy red hair and all. you loved all of us silly kids. and you always had ice cream bars in your freezer. 
i'm celebrating all the gazillion things you showed me, not only through your words, but through your actions. you were a wonderful teacher. i remember when you started teaching me to crochet. i don't think i ever got beyond a single chain that summer. we ended up talking and the crochet hook was forgotten. you taught me how to play skip-bo. that was our game. you taught me to introduce myself to your neighbors even when i didn't really want to. on our walks around your neighborhood, you taught me to notice little, beautiful things and slow down long enough to enjoy them. you taught me to listen and appreciate stories. i remember when you took me to see the older lady you helped down the street. i don't remember her name, but i do remember some of her stories of when she was a little girl, her dolls, and the pile of colorful yarn in her back room. most importantly, you taught me about your Savior. my favorite times with you were when we snuggled on the couch with one of your crocheted afghans early in the morning before everyone else got up. we couldn't sit down until you had your coffee and i learned how to make it just the way you liked it. almost black with one or two packets of sweet-n-low. coffee in hand, we would chat. about what you had read in your Bible reading before i had heard you rustling in the kitchen and sneaked out of bed, trying desperately to keep the mattress from squeaking so that anna wouldn't wake up and mess up my "granny time." about who you were praying for that day. about what your favorite t.v. preacher had said. about life and important stuff, like were we going to have pancakes or biscuits for breakfast? you always pointed me to Christ and stressed the importance of spending time with Him. one year you asked if i wanted to read through the Bible with you. i am so thankful i did. you know i've done it several more times since then? i still haven't done it in just 3 months like you did that one time in your sunday school class. you were amazing. you would call me just to tell me, "i read through so and so today! Did you know ..." your excitement trickled into my own relationship with Christ, even though you may not have realized how just much. your life was a testimony to God's grace and love. you showed His love to everyone and i got to experience it, too.
i am celebrating the togetherness and love you shared with family. you cared for papa with such kindness and tenderness. you served him and honored him, even when he was a little grouchy. you always kept his favorite ice cream in the freezer, even when he really wasn't supposed to be eating it. you stayed by his side when his parkinson's was getting worse, but he still wanted to get out and take his afternoon walk. i want to serve others like you did. you helped the older lady down the street with her bills, took food to aunt rosa's, opened your house, and loved on the little kids across the street. you were a networker. you kept up with everyone and were intentional in being involved in our lives and lives of others, even if 1200 miles separated us. you proved you can do a lot with a phone, note cards, a pen, and no driving experience.
you were so beautiful, granny. your hair was white and straight when i knew you, but i still thought you were the prettiest granny in the world. i can only imagine what you look like in heaven. you have a new, prefect, glorious body and live basking in the glory shining from God's face. what's that like? way more than amazing, i'm sure. i will see it one of these days. one of these days i will see you again. i will see Jesus face to face then, too, so will seeing you even be on my mind? either way, i can't wait for that day. i am celebrating the life i have been given today and the precious memories of you i treasure in my heart and thank God for every day.
i am celebrating the togetherness and love you shared with family. you cared for papa with such kindness and tenderness. you served him and honored him, even when he was a little grouchy. you always kept his favorite ice cream in the freezer, even when he really wasn't supposed to be eating it. you stayed by his side when his parkinson's was getting worse, but he still wanted to get out and take his afternoon walk. i want to serve others like you did. you helped the older lady down the street with her bills, took food to aunt rosa's, opened your house, and loved on the little kids across the street. you were a networker. you kept up with everyone and were intentional in being involved in our lives and lives of others, even if 1200 miles separated us. you proved you can do a lot with a phone, note cards, a pen, and no driving experience.
you were so beautiful, granny. your hair was white and straight when i knew you, but i still thought you were the prettiest granny in the world. i can only imagine what you look like in heaven. you have a new, prefect, glorious body and live basking in the glory shining from God's face. what's that like? way more than amazing, i'm sure. i will see it one of these days. one of these days i will see you again. i will see Jesus face to face then, too, so will seeing you even be on my mind? either way, i can't wait for that day. i am celebrating the life i have been given today and the precious memories of you i treasure in my heart and thank God for every day. i love you, granny.
your granddaughter who loves you and misses you.
=]
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