My Visit with Grandma Mary today...

 

 was absolutely fabulous!  

On December 21, the kids and I went out to visit her.

But this time, it was all for ME.  It's hard for me to really connect with her when my children are present.  She loves when the kids are there and I know we fill her home with enough love and energy to last a few weeks...

but I wanted some alone time.   :)

So, I arranged some care and off I went.

On New Year's Day, she fell and broke her finger.

But that didn't stop her from enjoying a hot cup of green tea with me.

 As I laid on the couch enjoying my hot cup of tea, my (most favorite) Aunt Karen treated me to a pedicure.  Am I spoiled or what??!!

 I love you so much, Auntie Karen!

 And I love you too, Grandma Mary.  I am so thankful that I got to spend a few hours with you today.

Today was very special to me.

One of the best parts of the visit was when I first got there and she was sleeping.  I crawled in bed with her (because I'm always up for a nap!) and curled up beside her and just listened to her breath.

I shut my eyes and thanked God for giving her 98 years.

I thanked God for today - and this alone time with her.

I thought to myself, "This day is perfect."

Grandma Mary, I LOVE YOU.  I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU.

My Grandma Wood Passed Away...

at the age of 84 without much warming to us, and is now hanin' with Jesus!

My Grandma was absolutely a child of God and it was obvious in her daily life. 

I am very sad and have been crying off and on for the past few days.  I am very sad for my Mom who lost her Mommy.  I'm sad for her children and grandchildren who lived near her and will feel her absence more than I.

She was the center of our family gatherings that took place frequently throughout the years.  Those will feel and be very different. 

Christmas will feel "off".

Actually, she wasn't even at Thanksgiving - because they were on their way to my Mom's and they drove straight to the ER because she felt very weak.

And we all sat around talking about her most of the time.

She will be greatly missed.

But, according to her faith and mine, I believe she is so amazingly happy right now.  I can just picture the smile on her face and hear her laugh as she dances with Jesus and visits with people who have gone before her.

Grandma, I'm so grateful you were my Grandma here on Earth.  I am thankful you were a woman of faith and such a positive example to your children, grandchildren and community.  You were absolutely an Earthly example of God's love.  Thank you for the investment you made in your family, the smile that was always on your face and the jokes and laughs you blessed us with.

I will see you again someday!  Until then, I'll keep doing my work here and spreading God's love - like you did.

You can read more about Grandma here.

Grandma Mary turned 98!

In September, my Grandma Mary turned 98.  She was born in1912!  

We celebrated with her special day with family.

I spoke with my Aunt today to see what my Grandma "needed" for Christmas.  What does a 98 year old woman need?  I don't want to give her more "stuff".  So, we decided that what she enjoys most is spending TIME with us!  So, we have set a date near Christmas when the kids and I will go over to her home for a brunch.  I am also going to have the girls paint canvases for her!  They're really good at that.  :)

What an amazing woman and what an amazing life she has lived.  Currently, she has no major health problems - just hearing loss and she can't speak very well anymore.  Just expected stuff at this point in her life.

Here's to hoping she makes it to 100!