This past Thursday I received the worst news I've ever gotten. My Grammy had passed away. It was so unexpected as she had been doing so well for the last several years. She had a major heart surgery back in 2005 and had suffered 1 or 2 strokes, but had recovered from all of that and had been doing great. So it really came as a shock to all of us. She passed Thursday morning at home, in her chair, where my Papa found her when he came home from work that afternoon. I can't imagine coming home to find your wife, of almost 54 years, has passed away. To make matters worse, their 54 year anniversary was yesterday, the same day as the funeral. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. He stayed so strong over these last few days though. I know it must have been so hard for him. The paramedics said they think the cause of death was most likely due to her heart.
She was such a loving person and was always there whenever we needed her, no matter what. I have so many wonderful memories of her. As a small child my mom, sister and I would spend every Sunday afternoon at my Grammy and Papa's house. Grammy would fix us lunch after church and we'd play at their house for the whole afternoon. We would spend the night at their house on occasion and she'd always give us her undivided attention whether it be taking us somewhere fun or watching movies at her house. She would always fix us whatever we wanted to eat, even if both my sister and I wanted something completely different. :-)
As we got older, my mom would pick her up every Friday for lunch and they would go shopping together. During the summer my sister and I would get to go. Then within the last several years, I've had every other Friday off to go to lunch and shopping with them. Grammy didn't care where we went, she just loved being along for the ride and spending time together. We would sometimes go back to my moms and my mom would fix dinner for all of us and our families and when it was time for us to leave Grammy would always give us girls a hug and say she really enjoyed spending the day with us. I know she looked forward to those Fridays and so did we. Fridays won't be the same without her, but we plan to carry on the tradition. :-)
She was so excited about Ashlee and I being pregnant and would always rub our bellies and tell us to take care of those babies. I remember calling her and Papa to tell them the good news and when he told her I was pregnant, I could hear her in the back ground screaming with excitement. She loved kids and would always play with Landon whenever they were together. The thing I hate most is that this baby will never get to meet his/her Grammy. I know they would have loved her so much and enjoyed spending time with her. But they will know their Grammy with all the wonderful memories and stories we have to tell them.
I miss Grammy so much, but find peace in knowing that I will someday see her again in heaven.
Grammy and I this past Christmas.
Grammy and Papa with all their kids, kids spouses, Grandkids, Grandkids spouses and Great-Grandchild at their 50th wedding anniversary party in 2007.
My Mom, Grammy, Sister Ashlee and Myself on Mother's Day 2010.
Grammy and I at my wedding reception.
Grammy and Papa, Easter 2010
Me, at Grammy and Papa's house, wearing some old frames that my Grammy used to wear.
Myself, Grammy, My Mom and my sister Ashlee on Mother's Day 2009
