In Celebration -- Gramma

Make use of your faculties while you are going toward your golden years because you want to be of service. To give of yourself, to LOVE---this is why we are on earth.
Lola Santos

Over the summer I lost my gramma (my dad's mom). When it happened, I was working in Pensacola during Hurricane Dennis. It was my first day on the job as PIO so I never quite had a chance to process anything...In a lot of ways, I still haven't. My gramma was someone I did not see a lot but I knew thought of me often. Her letters and cards were beautiful, kind and well written. She kept me in touch with what was happening with my dad's side of the family -- Uncle Pilot and Auntie School Teacher and all of their children. Because of her, I feel like that part of my family is familiar even though it's been over 15 years since I've seen any of them. She was quite the Yogi. She enjoyed attending soccer and basketball games to cheer her grandchildren on as they played. She lived in Montana pretty much her entire life and would often write to me about the weather. Her husband, my grandfather, died when I was very young. She never married again. When I first heard of her death, I was extremely sad and immediately a feeling of regret took over because I so wish I would've been able to see her before she passed away. I wish that we had the chance to have a one-on-one conversation about her life, her history, her hopes for her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren. I wish I could've held her hand and told her that I loved her and after all the years she was the one keeping me closer to my father and his heritage more than anyone else. I wish I could've just said thank you. I wish, I wish...

Because, I know that's that is not possible now. I celebrate her today and every day. I celebrate the way she brought life to her letters through words and expressions of love. I celebrate her choice to raise a family. I celebrate her thoughtfulness and her way of letting me know, that he was always thinking of me. She herself struggled with that I believe...I celebrate her hope, her journey, her truth even through difficult circumstances. I celebrate her life because it was and is so much a part of mine.