Saying Goodbye

I called my grandma on Sunday evening to wish her a Happy Easter. Unfortunately I reached my aunt instead who informed me that she had been taken to the hospital. The next morning she was gone.

My grandmother hadn't been herself for quite a while. But even though she moved a little more slowly each day, her mind was very much ahead of her feet. She loved playing word games, brain-teasers, Boggle, etc. She was a night-owl. She drank scotch and water and had a Facebook account. She was cool-headed and warm-hearted through and through.

I feel so lucky to have shared so many years and important memories with her. She spent much of her time showing her support for her grandkids - you never doubted that grandma's face would be in the crowd beaming with pride at every game, competition or ceremony. I feel blessed to have had her witness me marrying the man of my dreams and to have had her visit me at the hospital when my babies were born.

There are so many things that made my grandmother special to me - her sense of humor, her hugs, her strength. But one of the things that I hold the most dear was her way with words. Every so often I'd get an email from her in response to one of my blog posts - usually the more emotional ones - that both validated my feelings and gave me encouragement to "keep on keepin' on" as they say.

I've saved every one of those emails. I'm going to miss her heartfelt words of wisdom so very much.

Saying goodbye is never easy.