For Grandma

I have hemmed and hawed for over a week now, waiting to write this post.  A week ago Monday, my dear grandma, and only remaining grandparent, passed away.  How cool that I made it to my 40's with a grandparent?!?!?  For that, I am so grateful.  And sad that an era is over.  I'm stating the obvious here, but she has been with me always.  And now there is one less person on the planet who was with me before I even remember being.

I debated what to write to honor her long life, a full, busy life that included being a wife, mother, baker, career woman, aunt, grandmother, friend, and confidant.  Here is what I posted on Facebook the day she died.  I think it sums it all up.

"RIP, Grandma. You were the fun grandma who made tiny tacos on tortilla chips, introduced me to my first chippy-dippy square (that's a 7 layer bar for you novices), watched me attempt bike riding in your driveway and passed on a love for photographing every memory and baking every sweet treat with love. Except for pie crust, Grandma, attempting pie crust makes me want to use my naughty words EVERY.TIME. That is obviously a secret that you take to heaven with you. Your 90 earthly years are finished, well done, well done."

Like most times when we lose someone, I wish I could have just one last conversation, one last cup of shared coffee, one last pancake breakfast, one last sit in the warm sun.

But we don't always get to pick the last time, so for now I will hold on to the sweet memories of all the firsts and lasts I enjoyed with her.  And, she was the original family photographer and memory keeper, so I have many, many pictures handed down from her.   I have been taking pictures for years, and irritating many a family member by saying, "hold still, let me just take a quick picture!"  Obviously, it pays off ;)

I have many other photos in sturdy, old-fashioned, pre-phone, pre-digital camera albums.  I think I will treasure those the most :)

Thanks for the memories, Grandma.  I love you.