With Gran

The day that I dreaded most since I was a child arrived a few weeks ago. My beloved Gran passed away just 12 days shy of her 80th birthday. It was expected yet still a shock. I have learned that one can never be prepared to say goodbye to someone so dear. My view of death has shifted in the last three years. Although I feel the loss of Granny very deeply and will for years to come, I am also able to view her full life and celebrate the blessing of such a long life. She was married to my Papa for 62(!) years. She was surrounded and loved by her three children. She was beloved by her 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was the center, the anchor, the rock of our family. She drew us together even as the miles separated us. She was strong. She was tough. She was fierce. She had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world to her. I miss her terribly.

I am thankful to have had her in my life for so long. I am thankful to have had a wonderful relationship with her and to have many wonderful memories as a child and as an adult. I am most thankful that she met all four of my children. Here she is with me as a baby and with each of my littles. 

Throughout these difficult weeks, my most comforting thought is that she is with Julia. My Gran, who loved to talk about and show photos of her grandkids and great-grandkids to anyone and everyone, has one of her precious great-granddaughters with her. This photo is how I like to think of them now, together again. 

I love and miss them both so much.