Saying Goodbye

It's taken me a week to come to grips with the fact that my Grandmother passed away. I had known the day was coming ever since she got sick in mid-August. But one is never fully prepared to deal with the loss of a loved one. For me, it was the first person I have ever lost that I was this close to. I have previously lost my other grandma but I was so young when she passed that I have no memory of her. But this grandma I had thousands of memories tied to. Here are just a few of the things I am going to miss.

~ She was one of my best friends. I knew I could talk to her about anything. She was always there to listen and give me advice. I am going to miss being able to do that.

~ She came to every volleyball, basketball, & soccer game, and track meet. Even in the bitter Wisconsin winters and rainy springs she would be there with my grandpa to cheer me on. And while I have since stopped playing sports, I will miss seeing her at my sister's games/meets.

~ Her love of travel. My grandpa and her have been all over the world, filling up 3 passports with stamps along the way. Because of them, I went to Disney World for the first time at age 7. Also, they helped fund my trip to Spain during high school which was truly life-changing.

~ How she was always willing to have visitors stop by the house. No matter what time, they were welcomed in and offered food & something to drink. I would routinely just drop by during the summer so she could make me food.

~ The meals shared over the years. Every month I would plan to go out to dinner with her and my grandpa. We would spend hours talking about everything from school to their world travels. I loved those dinners so much. Good thing I still have my grandpa to keep me company on them.

~ Her love of baking. Man could my grandma bake. It was her specialty. Between cookies, brownies, pies, and bars. Everything she made was fantastic. My friends would always beg me to have my grandma make cookies for my birthday treat. Thankfully, she passed the recipes down so I can attempt to make them. Or better yet, have my aunt make them for me.

~ Her love of collecting. She collected designed eggs from across the globe, Swarovski crystal figurines, and jewelry. She loved finding the perfect addition to her collections on every vacation. I will never forget her excitement to show me what she got after they returned from a trip. Now, I hope my family will continue her collections.

~ Seeing the love between my grandpa and her. They were adorable together, always holding hands and looking at each other.

These are just a few of the reasons I will miss my grandma now that she's gone. But I take comfort that she is in Heaven, looking down on me and my family. And I will never forget everything she has done for me over the almost 21 years of my life.

I love you grandma. I miss you. And I promise to take good care of grandpa.

~AJ