Dear Grandma

It hurts to know you're gone but it helps to know you're no longer in pain. I can just imagine you up there singin' and dancin' and getting all silly up in heaven with Jesus.

I will never forget your love for singing. Your favorite song to sing, even in the last days, was His Eye Is On The Sparrow. I will never sing that song again without thinking of you. I'm comforted because I know that even though you could not say you had given your heart to Him, I knew you had.

You loved my kids so much. You would take them to the bridge over the pond by your house and show them the fish. You would laugh and tease them and make them smile. You would sit at the piano and watch them play. I love that you would warm up chocolate chip cookies for them and serve them with milk. You would always want to give them another because that's what grandmas do. Even though they knew you for just a short time, they knew you and that is something special.

I will never forget how you loved the outdoors. You loved flowers and would know all the names for them. I remember visiting you in Kernville. You and grandpa would take us to the Kern river to swim. We would hop from stone to stone and you did too. I will never forget waking up to the smell of your wonderful breakfast. I remember the blue cups you would keep in your cupbard just for when we came to visit and how I thought it was gross that you put metamucil in your drink everyday. I loved sitting by the fire, with you in one recliner and grandpa in the other, just talking and laughing and playing with your kitties. I loved hearing your stories of when you were a dancer and stories of when my dad was little.

Above all, Grandma, I loved that you loved people. You were so fun to be around. You always joked and played along when Tyler, me or anyone would tease you. You were full of joy and weren't afraid to let anyone know what was on your mind. You loved your family and your family loved you.

I'm so glad that I was able to kiss you goodbye. Although you couldn't say anything, I know you knew we were there. I promise you we'll all take care of Grandpa and we'll be ok. You were (and always will be) an extra special part of my life. Alzeimers might have taken you from us but your memory will live on forever.

Love, Steph

Ps. When I get to heaven It'll be you, me and Jo in a leg kickin' contest.