A Celebration of Life

Yesterday was my grandma's memorial service. It was a very emotional day. It was nice to remember her with so many family and friends, but it felt like we were saying that final "goodbye."

Here are a couple quotes from grandma that do embody who she was.

~My greatest wish is to see my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren make good choices, set goals, and do their best.~

~Remember to be kind to one another.~

~You may be sad today, but also be happy for the long life I have lived. Life is too short to waste on unhappy events. They become small and trivial. Time seems to take care of so many things.~

~Don't remember me for being perfect. Remember me for who I was.~

Caleb has really been thinking about grandma this week. I think that he's finally realizing that she's gone.

Here are a couple quotes from his mouth this week.

We were driving in the car and he was looking intently out the window. All of a sudden he says "Mom, I can't see grandma's legs hanging down from heaven, but I bet she's sure having fun walking on the moon."

Oh the mind of a child.:)

Today, we were cuddling outside on the swing and he looks at me and says "I sure love grandma. What is she doing up in heaven? I miss her."

What a legacy she has left. That smile will be etched in our minds and hearts forever!

~In the rising of the Sun and in its going down, we will remember her. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we will remember her. In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we will remember her. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we will remember her. In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we will remember her. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we will remember her. When we are weary and in need of strength, we will remember her. When we are lost and sick at heart, we will remember her. When we have joys we yearn to share, we will remember her. So long as we live, she too shall live, For she is now a part of us.

We will remember her.~

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday we celebrated my 28th birthday(Man, that's getting WAY too close to 30!) It was a nice day. Cailtin got up early and made me a wonderful breakfast, while I got ready for work.

When I got home, I received flowers from my grandpa. That one brought tears to my eyes. Grandma NEVER missed a birthday and grandpa filled that hole a little bit with flowers. I thought that was just too sweet. I'm going to well up, just thinking about it now. It doesn't take much to make me cry these days!

Ryan took me out for an early dinner and it was a nice break. We finished the night off with mom's peanut butter pie. YUM!!!

I'm looking forward to trying out my new Dance Dance Revolution. I decided maybe I could stick to that for a work out plan. I know, I'm pathetic. I just can't get motivated. And all of my comfort eating is not helping!

Thank You!

I wanted to thank all of my dear friends and family for all of your words of encouragement. Your extra kindness has meant so much to me, through this hard time.

My sweet teacher friends even sent me flowers! They were beautiful!

What An Amazing woman

My dear, sweet grandma passed away last night. It has been a rough 24 hours. I'm so glad that we were able to spend yet another full weekend out there with her a few days ago. Her mind was still there, even though her body was deteriorating rapidly. I got the call that things had taken a turn, late Tuesday morning. I'm so thankful that my mom was able to take care of the kids so I could go right away. The transformation was quite startling though. I'm so glad that I was able to be there with her, but it was very hard to watch. She was finally feeling the pain and was very uncomfortable. Her poor body looked like it had been through a boxing match. She was also unable to communicate clearly. I will always remember her final words to me. They were the only ones that I understood that day. I told her I loved her and she said "I love you too and thank you for all of your help." I feel so blessed to have had that last conversation, especially when her words were so few and undecipherable.

After the pain meds arrived, she was much more at peace. She was surrounded by family as she took her last breaths and I know that's how she would have wanted it. It was a night filled with tears, but I'm so thankful that I have had such a wonderful family. We were all able to share some laughs through the tears, in rememberance of this wonderful woman.

After getting home around midnight, 5:30 this morning came way too fast. It was a very long, puffy eyed day!

What a privilege to know this sweet lady!

This is what I think of, when I think of grandma. She was never without her rosey cheeks and that contagious smile.

All of the cousins.

They have all been wonderful through this diffucult time.

She was diagnosed with 2 different kinds of Leukemia a few weeks before this gathering. Her disease was almost as amazing as she was. She was recorded in the medical journals with this rare form of Leukemia that had only been recorded 4 other times.

This great grandma will be missed.
August 2006

Christmas 2006

These two make a cute couple, even after 62 years.

Christmas 2007

What a wonderful weekend at the beach, earlier this year.

Grandma, you will be greatly missed. What a legacy you have left!

We love you!