A Tribute to my Grandma

Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

I wrote part of this letter before my grandma (affectionately called "Granny") passed away on March 24th--twenty-seven days before her 90th birthday. I came back and edited this letter a few days after. Perhaps it will give you a glimpse into her relationship with my family.  Her spiritual state was uncertain, but I do hope that I will be able to spend eternity with her. 

Dear Granny,

I have been blessed to have you throughout 18 years of my life. Though you are gone now, I will always treasure the times we had together, and I will always remember how much you loved us. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandmother to my sisters and me.

You were always a part of our life. There are so many memories I cherish, and I’m sure I will forget some of the small details eventually, but in this letter (that I started before you passed away), I will attempt to put into words some of the special times we had together.  

I remember when I was very young visiting your apartment. I always loved coming to visit you and I was especially fascinated by the lock on the front entrance door—it was exactly my height.

I remember when you lived in the house in Arbor Crescent with Opa [her husband]. We’d knock on the door and Opa would answer, and we would look past him to see you sitting on the couch knitting. We’d come over and hug you and you’d call us your “three little angels”.

I loved to come and sleep over with you when I was growing up. You took me for walks to the park or just around the block, and on trips to the dollar stores to buy things to take back to our family. I remember how you and Opa would set up the couch so I could sleep on it—and I would fall asleep to the bubbling fish tank.

I remember (on one of our trips to the malls) having my purse stolen in Wal-Mart. You searched the whole store, parking lot, and car with me to see if we could find it. I got tired pretty quickly and I remember asking you if your feet hurt, but you said “no”. You kept looking until we were sure it was gone for good, even though I had lost hope a while back. I remember how special it was to come over because you’d let us watch TV. And in the evening after dinner, you and Opa and I played Rummy-O together after supper and we enjoyed many laughs.

You loved to host amazing meals for family get-togethers. Cooking was something you enjoyed, and it was extra special because you did it with love. You were always worried that there wasn’t enough food—after practically every single serving dish in the house had been filled. You taught me how to make pasta sauce on one of my stays at your house, and I still make it like that to this day, even though it doesn’t taste nearly as good. You taught me how to make bread in the bread maker, too—a skill much needed and still used. You also came over once and taught us how to make homemade pasta. And then Hannah and I wrote about the experience and entered it in the Island Grandparent magazine.  

You loved to knit, and I remember you teaching me how to knit. I never did master pearl knitting, but I do still have my 1^st pair of knitting needles that you gave me. You knitted two previous blankets for me which I still have and love. In your last months in the senior residence and then later in my aunt and uncle’s home, you began knitting baby blankets for my sisters and me. Sadly, this was a project that you weren’t able to finish.  But you often mentioned us getting married, and that you would love to see your great-grandchildren.  

When you first moved to the Origin [the senior’s residence], you were disappointed that you couldn’t cook as you used to. And even though you couldn’t bake for us, you’d save the cookies and hot chocolate packages from the downstairs dining center so we could have them when we came to visit. You also loved our music, and would often try to set up performances at the Origin so others could hear us.

You were always unselfish and giving. You never complained intentionally. I remember Opa often telling you to sit down more, because you were always working. Even when you moved from the senior’s residence and spent time with us, you were always trying to clean the house for us—and after a while we had to say that you were only allowed to fold laundry. When you moved to my aunt and uncle's house you continued to bless us. You gave us gifts and took us shopping when you could. We enjoyed having you at our house, too, Granny. You liked to sit and knit or just talk with us when we took a break from school.

I know there is so much more that I haven’t included, but I wanted to thank you for all you have done of us. Your influence on my sister’s and my life has been huge. I always admired your self-sacrificial love and hard-working spirit. I am sure there will be many events in the future that I would have loved to share with you, but I’m thankful for the wonderful years you shared with us. You are very special and much loved, Granny. I love you.

Your granddaughter,

Kaleigh Rose 

James 4:14-Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

In Christ,

Kaleigh