till we meet again....

My Granny Smith passed away February 16th after suffering a massive stroke.

My heart still stings and tears well in my eyes every time I think of her. It's hard to lose someone that you love and admire.

I'm grateful that the last time we were together she got to hold and love on my little girls and that I was able to give her a hug and tell her that I loved her. I get comfort from that memory but I also know that I can be with her again someday, and that is the greatest comfort of all.

Some things I want my kids to know about their Great Grandma:

*Her and Grandpa were married at age 19 (like me) and they had my dad when they were 20.

*She was a great cook but an even better candy maker. Licorice caramels, pecan rolls, mint truffles, key lime white chocolates....were just some of her special treats that I loved. When we were little she would make us a giant chocolate Easter egg with our name on it written in her pretty cursive. She even had her own candy store. Sometimes I would go in and help around the store. I can still smell the way that it smelt.

*Her giggle was childlike and contagious.

* I spent many childhood days swimming in her pool. She would always comment on what a fish I was-always the first one in and the last one out and would praise my swimming abilities. Quite often you could count on Granny getting in and most often in her clothes after she was already sopping wet from getting splashed.

*She loved the color peach.

* She could always laugh at herself and silly things that would happen to her...one of our families favorites is when she not knowingly placed her purse in the lobster tank at Red Lobster when she went to hug her friend that had arrived. Yes, they had to "fish" it out.

* I have several hand written letters she wrote me. I cherish her words of encouragement and praise.

* She Facebooked. I loved getting messages from her. Her last one was inquiring about Eden and if she had gotten over her cold. I will miss those little messages.

* She would often sit around with us kids at her player piano, we'd put on a roll and we would all sing together and move our fingers as if we were really playing it.

...and many more...

(thats me as the caboose of the human train)

With this loss I have also gained strength. A renewed focus on life and what is most important is what I have gained. I hug my loved ones a little tighter and want to do more good for those around me. Thank you Granny for being such a great example of strength and love.

I love you and will miss you....till we meet again.