November 19th 2006

It was a cold November day, a Sunday. My parents called and asked if I wanted to meet them over at my cousins house. To visit with Gramma. She had been sick with a cold, and I was apprehensive with Bagel, since she was so young, I didn't want her to get sick too.

But I went, it had been a few weeks since I had seen Gramma, and I knew how she lit up when I would bring Bagel to see her. I remember sitting on the couch in Kim's front room, with Gramma, everyone else bsing in the kitchen.

Gramma just didn't want to take her eyes off Bagel. She was just amazed at her. Now in 90 years, 15 grandkids, almost just as many great grand kids, and Bagel being one of them, and she even had 3 great great grandkids, well I just didn't get the excitement over one more.

I do know that I was lucky to have Gramma around. Frances and I were the daughters of Gramma's baby boy. My dad was born to my Gramma when she was 34! And back in that day, you started with kids way earlier. So yeah, I don't think my dad was planned. She had already had a set of twin boys, and two girls.

So when my parents had me and Frances, it was like starting all over again for Gramma. Most of my cousins were around when my parent got married, some where in the wedding! And I am closer to my cousin's kids age, then my actual cousins.

Gramma lived just a few miles up the road. My one aunt lived in Florida, the other in Arizona (hi Scuz!) one of the twin uncles passed away 3 months before I was born, and the other uncle, well he did his own thing.

My dad and mom were always, and still are extremely close with family, and so every Sunday we would go to church, then to eat, then visit with my Gramma (Grampa too) all day.

My mom is a Holiday fanatic! She always decorates, and hosts some kinda food. So every Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Birthday (cept her own, then my Gramma would cook) Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas eve and Day. Gramma would be over.

It's true I didn't realize how lucky I was to always have Gramma around, until she was gone. It makes me happy that she was able to meet Bagel. She was staying with my aunt in Florida when she was born, but was home to see her just a few days after she was born.

Gramma loved to see Bagel, and my parents just moved to there new house in the woods. My Gramma loved to stay with my parents, and if Bagel was staying over even better! 6 months of Bagels life my Gramma loved and cooed over her.

I know that Gramma is happy now. She missed my Grampa John, and after 90 years, she was good to go. Being as young as I am it was hard for me to let her go. I know that I didn't have as many years as my cousins did, but the years I had were full of her.

Years that I hope I never forget. I will always talk to Bagel and Spike about there Great Gramma A. And there Great Gramma W., Grampa John, and Great Gramma Mc. It's important to talk and remind your kids about family.

I don't talk about Gramma with sobs and tears, and it has taken two years to really grasp that she is gone, and it's ok. Life goes on, and with some pretty kick ass angels watching over us, It's going to be all right.

Thanks for the memories Gramma. You living to 90, just shows me that 30... well 30 is just 1/3 of what you did in your life time. I can't wait for the other 60. You are loved and greatly missed, (damn it, I wasn't going to cry...) I love you.

Miss you.

J.